Festival favorite Dave Brubeck passed away December 5th, in Norwalk Connecticut, one day before his 92nd birthday. Dave performed at the Saratoga Jazz Fest 13 times, most recently in 2009.
From the long obituary for Mr. Brubeck published by The New York Times:
Mr. Brubeck once explained succinctly what jazz meant to him. “One of the reasons I believe in jazz,” he said, “is that the oneness of man can come through the rhythm of your heart. It’s the same anyplace in the world, that heartbeat. It’s the first thing you hear when you’re born — or before you’re born — and it’s the last thing you hear.”