LOS ANGELES, CA.- Julien’s Auctions presents Jazz Legends, a landmark two-day auction celebrating the enduring legacies of jazz icons Dave Brubeck and Tony Bennett. Taking place September 17-18 from Los Angeles, the sale features more than 200 personal items from the Estate of Dave Brubeck along with more than 180 artworks by the beloved singer and painter Tony Bennett.
Dave Brubeck, honored as a “Living Legend” by the Library of Congress, was a cornerstone of both the jazz and classical music scenes. Across a vibrant career spanning six decades, his creative use of odd time signatures, polyrhythms, polytonality, and improvised counterpoint defined his groundbreaking approach to music. His landmark 1959 album, Time Out, made history as the first jazz album to cross the million-copy sales mark and introduced listeners worldwide to the enduring classic,“Take Five.”
Brubeck’s influence was global; he performed for royalty, heads of state, and numerous U.S. presidents. The Dave Brubeck Quartet consistently earned top accolades across critic and reader polls, as well as industry trade publications. In 1954, Brubeck was featured on the cover of Time Magazine alongside a feature highlighting his meteoric rise and the renaissance of jazz—and his personal copy of that historic issue stands out as one of the featured items in this auction. His immense impact on the world of jazz remains unrivaled.
Praised by Frank Sinatra as “the best singer in the business,” Tony Bennett was celebrated as a legendary interpreter and champion of the Great American Songbook. Throughout his illustrious career, Bennett released more than 70 albums and earned 20 GrammyⓇ Awards, along with numerous other prestigious honors.
Bennett remained active in the studio well into his 80s. At age 88, he became the oldest living artist to top the Billboard 200 with Cheek to Cheek, the first of two GrammyⓇ Award-winning collaborations with Lady Gaga.
Beyond his remarkable music career, Bennett was also a highly gifted visual artist. Working in oils, watercolors, charcoal, and pencil, he demonstrated a masterful command of light and color. He made a point of sketching or painting daily, often capturing scenic views from hotel windows while on tour. A standout offering in this sale is his exquisite watercolor-and-pencil self-portrait with Lady Gaga.
Highlights from both collections include:
Dave Brubeck
Original S. Neil Fujita “Time Out” Artwork with Framed Cover
The Mid-century Modern abstract geometric watercolor, gouache and other mixed media on board graphic design record album cover for Brubeck's seminal Time Out album, signed lower left “S. Neil Fujita” for Sadamitsu Neil Fujita. Framed under glass. Together with the framed album cover. (Estimate $15,000–20,000)
Baldwin SD-10B Grand Piano and Bench from Wilton, Connecticut Home Studio (With Magazine)
A Baldwin SD-10B grand piano from Dave Brubeck’s home studio in Wilton, Connecticut, used extensively in the composition of his orchestral and classical works. Brubeck inscribed and signed the piano’s frame: “My classical compositions and string quartet were composed at this piano including choral and orchestral works / Dave Brubeck / Aug. 31, 2010.”
The piano appears in a 2019 Town & Country feature offering an intimate view of the Brubeck home and studio. Also included is a copy of the March 2006 issue of Vanity Fair, featuring Annie Leibovitz’s photograph of Brubeck at the piano, published alongside his responses to the magazine’s Proust Questionnaire. (Estimate: $15,000–$20,000)
1950s Home Studio Used Neumann U47 Tube Microphone with Power Supply, Cables, and Stand
An early 1950s Neumann U47 long body tube microphone with original power supply, power cable, mic cable, and an audio output cable. This microphone was used in his home studio to record songs featured on his 1956 album Brubeck Plays Brubeck, including “In Your Own Sweet Way” and “The Duke.” (Estimate $10,000–20,000)
Circa 1960 His and Hers Rolex Oyster Perpetual Wrist Watches
A pair of circa 1960 “His and Hers” Rolex Oyster Perpetual wristwatches belonging to Dave and Iola Brubeck. Accompanied by Rolex paperwork and case. Comprising one stainless steel Rolex Oyster Perpetual date and an 18k yellow gold Rolex Oyster Perpetual. (Estimate $2,000–3,000)
Original 1954 Boris Artzybasheff Time Magazine Cover Art with Magazine and 40th Anniversary Dinner Programs
Boris Artzybasheff's original surrealist gouache and watercolor on drawing artwork of Dave Brubeck that was used for the Time magazine cover and inspired the album art for Brubeck Time (1955). In the original frame, which bears a plaque reading: “TIME / November 8, 1954 / By Boris Artzybasheff.” Stamped “Nov 3 - 1955.” Includes a copy of the original magazine with the Brubeck cover. Together with programs for Time's 40th Anniversary celebration (Waldorf-Astoria in New York, May 6, 1963) (Estimate $1,500–2,000)
2006 Annie Leibovitz Signed Photo
A portrait of Dave Brubeck, taken by Annie Leibovitz as part of the shoot for Brubeck's appearance in the March 2006 issue of Vanity Fair, and signed by her in black marker below the image. In the issue, Brubeck was the subject of the publication's Proust Questionnaire.(Estimate $800–1,200)
1961 “Take Five” Grammy Nomination Plaque
Presented to Dave Brubeck in recognition of his Record of the Year nomination for “Take Five,” by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. The 4th Annual Grammy Awards took place on May 29, 1962, featuring a competitive field of nominees that included Frank Sinatra, Henry Mancini, Jimmy Dean, and Si Zentner. While Mancini ultimately claimed the award for “Moon River,” “Take Five” went on to make history as the first jazz single to surpass $1 million in sales, holding its status today as the best-selling jazz single of all time. (Estimate $600–800)
“To Hope!” Annotated Scores with 1997 Conductor's Score, Handwritten “Let Joys Be Joined” Manuscript, and Cine 1982 “Golden Eagle” Certificate
A collection of annotated scores, handwritten manuscripts, and an award relating to Dave Brubeck’s sacred jazz mass, To Hope! A Celebration. Commissioned by Ed Murray of the national Catholic newspaper Our Sunday Visitor, the work sets the Revised Roman Ritual to additional text by Iola Brubeck.
The collection includes handwritten manuscripts for “Communion Hymn” and “Let Joys Be Joined,” the latter composed for To Hope! but not included in the final work; the annotated conductor’s score used by the Dave Brubeck Quartet and Russian National Orchestra at their December 2, 1997 performance at Moscow Conservatory’s Bolshoi Hall—the first jazz performance held at the venue; and a 1982 CINE Golden Eagle Award recognizing excellence in American film presented internationally. (Estimate $400–600)
Tony Bennett
Double-Sided Still Life with Fruit Watercolor Drawing
A double-sided watercolor and pencil on paper drawing of a still life with flowers, fruit and a blue tea pot, and studies for the fruit and tableware on the other, signed "Benedetto" lower right, by Tony Bennett (Estimate $2,000–3,000)
2009 Holiday Christmas Card
A watercolor and pencil on paper image of holiday wreaths on the front doors of a house, signed “Benedetto” lower right, by Tony Bennett (Estimate $1,500-2,500)
Floral Still Life with Green Vase
A watercolor and pencil on paper drawing of flowers in a green vase, signed "Benedetto" lower right by Tony Bennett (Estimate $1,500–2,500)
Self Portrait with Lady Gaga
A watercolor and pencil on paper drawing of Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga, signed "Benedetto" lower right, by Tony Bennett (Estimate $1,500–2,500)
Portrait of Dave Brubeck
A charcoal on paper portrait of Dave Brubeck with piano keys, signed “Benedetto” lower left, by Tony Bennett (Estimate $1,500–2,500)
City Skyline
A watercolor and pen on paper drawing of an evening skyline, drawn in the Pontilist style, signed "Tony" lower right by Tony Bennett (Estimate $1,500–2,500)
Central Park
A watercolor and pencil drawing of Central Park, signed "Benedetto" lower right by Tony Bennett (Estimate $1,000–2,000)
