Dave Brubeck & Tony Bennett Headline Julien's Auctions' 'Jazz Legends' Sale

08-26-2026

(MPG) Julien's Auctions, the world's leading celebrity and music memorabilia auction house, is proud to present 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.