Son of jazz legend Dave Brubeck, Chris Brubeck toured the world for more than a decade playing bass in his father’s quartet.  Since then he has become an acclaimed composer of orchestral works, including two trombone concertos, collaborations with mezzo soprano Frederica von Stade, and a special piece performed on PBS by superstar violinists Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg, Eileen Ivers and Regina Carter.
 
In April, the Stockton Symphony gave the world premiere of Brubeck’s latest work, a multi-media collaboration with his father honoring photographer Ansel Adams.  The Sacramento Philharmonic performed the piece a week later and it is bound for other cities including Monterey and Baltimore.
 
Before Brubeck, 57, became a distinguished composer, and before he joined his famous father’s jazz quartet, he was a rock and roller.  During “Sittin’ In,” he talks about his early forays into rock and funk.  He also describes how Louis Armstrong provided encouragement for his trombone playing and how he was privileged to jam at home on piano with Chick Corea.
 
Host Paul Conley springs a few surprises on his guest too, including a recording featuring Chris and his father performing together that Chris had never heard before.