Dave Brubeck was an American jazz pianist and composer who was one of the most influential figures in jazz during the 1950s and 1960s. He was known for his innovative use of unusual time signatures and for his pioneering work in the field of cool jazz. He was also a leader in the field of jazz education, having founded the Brubeck Institute at the University of the Pacific in Stockton, California. Brubeck's most famous composition is 'Take Five, ' which became a jazz standard and has been covered by numerous artists.