Dave Brubeck: 1920-2012

Legendary jazz pianist Dave Brubeck stands on stage following a performance to celebrate his 85th birthday at London's Barbican Hall on Dec. 6, 2005.

Jazz musician Dave Brubeck plays a keyboard at his induction with 12 other honorees into the 2008 California Hall of Fame at The California Museum on Dec. 15, 2008, in Sacramento, Calif.

Dave Brubeck performs along with his Dave Brubeck Quartet, Nov. 16, 2005, at the Schauspielhaus theater in the southern city of Nuremberg, where he served as a GI during WWII.

Jazz musician David Brubeck holds his lifetime achievement award at the 38th annual Grammy Awards on Feb. 28, in Los Angeles.

Dave Brubeck and Wynton Marsalis perform during "A Celebration of America" by Jazz at Lincoln Center and The Rockefeller Foundation at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts Jan. 19, 2009, in Washington.

Dave Brubeck performs during "A Celebration of America" by Jazz at Lincoln Center and The Rockefeller Foundation at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts Jan. 19, 2009, in Washington.

Musician Dave Brubek speaks at the Apple Store Soho on July 21, 2009, in New York.

Musician Dave Brubek performs at the Apple Store Soho on July 21, 2009, in New York.

Kennedy Center honorees Bruce Springsteen, left, and Dave Brubeck engage in conversation as they and the other honorees prepare to pose for the formal group photo following the Artist's Dinner at the U.S. Department of State on Dec. 5, 2009, in Washington.

Jazz legend Dave Brubeck, recipient of the Kennedy Center Honors, arrives at the awards ceremony at the Kennedy Center in Washington on Dec. 6, 2009.

Dave Brubeck receives a honorary doctorate in Music during the 2010 George Washington University commencement at the National Mall on May 16, 2010, in Washington.

Jazz pianist Dave Brubeck at his piano as he celebrates his 85th birthday at London's Barbican Hall after a performance with the London Symphony Orchestra, Dec. 6, 2005.

Dave Brubeck rehearses at Sirius Satellite Radio studios in New York on July 12, 2007.

Jazz pianist Dave Brubeck at the Newport Jazz Festival in Newport, R.I., Aug. 23, 1981.

American composer, pianist and jazz musician Dave Brubeck. Brubeck, a pioneering jazz composer and pianist died Dec. 5, 2012 of heart failure, after being stricken while on his way to a cardiology appointment with his son.