Brubeck, Dave (David Warren Brubeck), 1920-, American pianist and composer, b. Concord, Calif. Brubeck began studying piano at the age of four and later studied composition with Milhaud and Schoenberg. In 1951 he organized a jazz quartet with alto saxaphonist Paul Desmond. His music, influenced by modern classical composers, is distinguished by complex harmony and the use of meters not typical in jazz.