Brubeck, Cacace honored by Stamford Center for the Arts

Posted on 04/30/2010

By CHASE WRIGHT

Times Staff Writer

STAMFORD -- The Stamford Center for the Arts honored a founding board member Thursday night during a benefit concert featuring a performance by legendary jazz musician Dave Brubeck.

Michael Cacace, a Stamford attorney and member of the SCA board of directors from 1985 to 2008, received the first-ever Arts Ovation Award for his contributions to the organization and the community at large.

"I'm honored, I'm humbled and I'm very appreciative," said Cacace, who admits he joined the SCA when the very idea for a performing arts center in downtown Stamford was "just a dream."

"Before we had a theater, the dream was to put on world class performances in Stamford," he said. "Tonight is evidence that we succeeded."

Designated a "Living Legend" by the Library of Congress, Brubeck -- a long-time Wiltonian -- continues to be one of the most active and popular musicians in the jazz world.

The 89-year-old jazz icon received the first SCA Legacy Award before a nearly sold-out crowd of more than 1,000 fans welcomed a performance from The Dave Brubeck Quartet with a rousing ovation.

"Dave Brubeck's many contributions to jazz have been recognized for over 50 years nationally and internationally," Elissa Getto, executive director of SCA, said. "His support of the Stamford Center for the Arts is something we are extremely grateful for, and we feel it's important to honor his dedication to music and to education."

Tickets to the concert and a dessert reception following the performance ran $100 per person.

All proceeds will benefit the Summer 2010 Arts Infusion Education Program, which is sponsored by the SCA.

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