Breaking Boundaries

Dave Brubeck was a musical pioneer, stretching artistic rights for musicians by experimenting with unorthodox techniques. While other musicians were writing in 4/4 time meter and only one key at a time, Brubeck pushed musical boundaries by using polytonality and writing in 5/4 time meter. He influenced other musicians to write creatively instead of sticking to traditions. 
"Some people will tell you that jazz has almost exhausted its possibilities, that there's nothing else to do. But Dave has created a lot of these little landmarks in his career where you could see, he could keep on building on that.  As it is, we have this small body of music from the late forties, which gave us sort of a glimpse of an alternative jazz universe in which the classical influence is just as strong as the jazz."
                                                                                                                               -Ted Gioia, jazz critic
Bill Cosby, famous comedian, talks about Brubeck's performances. 
"There's a way of playing safe, there's a way of using tricks and there's the way I like to play, which is dangerously, where you're going to take a chance on making mistakes in order to create something you haven't created before."
-Dave Brubeck
Dave Brubeck pushed beyond the traditional forms and standard techniques of American jazz. Beginning his early career in the late 1940s, Brubeck utilized unorthodox techniques such as multiple rhythms, unusual time signatures, and polytonality. Other American jazz musicians have experimented with these techniques, but none have popularized its use more than Dave Brubeck has. Through his spiritual music and his popular jazz music, he has connected with fans for decades, demonstrating the optimism and spirit of his uniquely American music.
-Summarized from Rediscovering Dave Brubeck
Dave Brubeck made a lasting impact on the world by fighting for musicians' artistic rights and stretching musical boundaries. Rock musicians, such as Sting, were influenced by his actions. 
"Dave often said what he wanted to be remembered for was someone who opened doors. This was made public in December of 2009 which was when Dave was the recipient of Kennedy Center Honors and Herbie Hancock stated: 'Dave Brubeck is the reason I don't have a day job.' I also received similar comments from Sting telling me how influential Dave was in giving musicians an opportunity of speaking with their own voices." 
                                                          -Russell Gloyd
In 1947, Dave Brubeck and Paul Desmond reunited, fascinated by using counterpoint in jazz. 
"...There was something magical when he (Paul Desmond) got together with Dave."
 -Ted Gioia, jazz critic