Russian Arts Foundation’s “Take Five” Gala Takes over Richards of Greenwich to Honor Dave Brubeck

Dan Brubeck, Scott Mitchell, Maxim Rubtsov, Trish Brubeck, Chuck Lamb, Catherine Brubeck Yaghsizian, Chris Brubeck, Marianne Wyman, Vladislav Lavrik (Photo Credit: Charles Manley)

(September 28, 2010 Greenwich, CT) Under the auspices of the Russian Arts Foundation, the Russian National Orchestra (RNO), celebrating its 20th Anniversary with events around the world, went to Greenwich, CT, to honor jazz icon and Goodwill Musical Ambassador Dave Brubeck.The over-sold Gala concert and gourmet buffet called “Take Five” was at Richards of Greenwich, the exclusive men’s and women’s store. Marianne Wyman, a Co-chair of the evening and RNO Board Member, presented the Russian Arts Foundation’s prestigious Silver Baton Award to Chris Brubeck, who accepted on behalf of his 90-year old father.

Scott Mitchell, representing the Mitchell Family who own Richards, hosted the evening. The Honorary Chairmen were Bim and Donald Kendall. The Gala Chairman was Thomas Hampson of the Metropolitan Opera. The evening’s true maestro was Marianne Wyman, assisted by her Co-chairs Irene Ioffe, Anne Perlin and Tatiana Panchenkova.

Prior to the concert, there was a reception courtesy of Peter Paul Wines and Champagnes. After the concert, the delicious buffet served offerings from Jean Louis, La Panetiere, La Cremaillere, l’escale and Bakovina.

The jazz concert was outstanding. The maestro’s sons Chris Brubeck, alternating between guitar and trombone, and Dan Brubeck, on the drums, joined pianist and composer Chuck Lamb, the third member of the Brubeck Brothers Quartet. There were two principal artists from the RNO: Vladislav Lavrik, Russia’s number one trumpet player and flautist Maxim Rubtsov.

Among the musical highlights were: Claude Bolling’s Suite for Flute and Piano, Chuck Lamb’s Cool on the Coast and two of Dave Brubeck’s most famous compositions: Blue Rondo à la Turk and Take Five.

Scott Mitchell, who plays classical cello, said at the end of the concert, “We’ve had lots of evenings at the store, but the was the best.” No hyperbole on his part. He stood to the side during the concert, his fingers moving in time with the rhythm, drumming on a display shelf.

The audience was an amalgam of old line Greenwich and young hip Greenwich with some Manhattanites thrown in for spice. Classical music lovers were there because of the RNO; jazz aficionados because of the Brubecks. But absolutely everyone was there to honor Dave Brubeck who has been a musical ambassador since the 1970s, bringing the people of the US and Russia together.

Guests included: Prince Vladimir and Princess Tatiana Galitzine, Catherine Brubeck and Arne Yaghsizian, Trish Brubeck, Rita Mehos, Hermitage Museum Foundation’s Chauncie Rodzianko, Stamford Center for Performing Arts Director Elissa Getto, John Wyman, Ruth and Bob Newman, Cristina Wyman, Thomas Ferguson, Jill and Richard Granoff, Bob Pape, Elena and Jonathan Moffly, Elizabeth Stribling and Guy Robinson, Anita and Ernie Torizzo, Myrna Haft, Michael Ioffe, Barbara Land, Michael Polenske, Bunny and Dennis Lukas, Lucy and Nat Day, Tatiana and Gerret Copeland, Marei von Saher, Mikhail Prokhorov, Megan and Charles Wyman, Unni Cooper, Alex Mantel, Bette Pietsch, Michael Weintrob, Laurel Desmarais, Larry Spera, Mieko Willoughby, Julie and Gil Alexandre, Linda and Michael Rait, Arlyne Goldberg, Anthony Rinaldo, Laurice Helmer, Adam Schwartz, Barbara and James Reibel, Arne Kalman, Anne and Fred Elser, Sophia James, Michael Baksh, Lata Chawla, Harold Holmyard, Nancy and Robert Cancro, Ruth Aewme, Maria Bubave, Marina Peredo, Gil and Seth Turtletaub, Anastasia and Gene Shapiro, Irene Iannucci, Robert Whitby, Carol Burns, Paul Rodzianko, Jane Repp, James Colias, Linda and Michael Rait, Molly and Jack Flynn, Judy and Necdet Ergul, Joyce and Ted Fowler, Barbara Manley, Evelyn Bausman and Jennifer Brown. Major RNO supporters Barbara Roach and Peter T. Paul flew in from California to be at the concert.

Beneficiaries of the evening were the Russian National Orchestra’s Instrument Acquisition Program and Jazz’d 4 Life, a charity dedicated to helping children throughout the world.

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New York Social Diary