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DAVE BRUBECK: Famed jazz pianist and songwriter Dave Brubeck has died at a hospital in Norwalk, Conn., his manager said. He was 91.

Russell Gloyd told The Washington Post Brubeck was headed to a regular medical checkup when his heart failed Wednesday, a day before his 92nd birthday.

The California native and Kennedy Center honoree released nearly 100 albums and penned hundreds of tunes, including the classics "Take Five," "Blue Rondo a la Turk," "In Your Own Sweet Way" and "The Duke," during his seven-decades-long career, the Post noted.

"For as long as I've been playing jazz, people have been trying to pigeonhole me," he once told the Chicago Tribune. "Frankly, labels bore me."

He is survived by his wife, Iola; four sons; and a daughter, the Tribune said.

TAYLOR SWIFT: The Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights honored singer Taylor Swift with its Ripple of Hope Award at a New York ceremony this week.

The annual award goes to leaders of the international business, entertainment, and activist communities who demonstrate commitment to social change and reflect late U.S. Sen. Robert Kennedy's passion for equality, justice, basic human rights, and his belief that we all must strive to "make gentle the life of this world," the center said in a news release.

At 22, Swift is the youngest winner of the prestigious award, named for Kennedy's speech about the power of young people, delivered in Cape Town in 1966.

Previous honorees include former U.S. President Bill Clinton, former U.S. Vice President Al Gore, Irish rock icon Bono and actor George Clooney.

"Taylor is just the kind of woman we want our daughters to be: authentic and mighty. Willing to take a risk and strong enough to walk away," RFK Center President Kerry Kennedy said when presenting Swift with her award. "Whether the tyrant they're standing up to is a high school bully or a powerful dictator, all of the conflicts we've heard about tonight can only be stopped by courageous people who speak up and speak out when they see injustice."

'ZERO DARK THIRTY:' The National Board of Review named the Pakistan-set, terrorism-themed drama "Zero Dark Thirty" the Best Movie of 2012.

The group of film experts also voted "Zero" helmer Kathryn Bigelow Best Director and star Jessica Chastain Best Actress.

The movie follows a CIA agent's dogged hunt for Osama bin Laden, which led to the al-Qaida leader's death during a May 2011 raid by U.S. Navy SEALs.

Bradley Cooper was declared Best Actor for his work in "Silver Linings Playbook," which also took the prize for Best Adapted Screenplay.

Ann Dowd of "Compliance" and Leonardo DiCaprio of "Django Unchained" won for Best Supporting Actress and Actor respectively.

The Best Original Screenplay prize went to "Looper," while "Wreck-It Ralph" was named Best Animated Movie and "Amour" Best Foreign Language Film.

"Searching for Sugar Man" earned the prize for Best Documentary and the stars of "Les Miserables" the accolade for Best Ensemble.

The board's Top 10 films in alphabetical order are "Argo," "Beasts of the Southern Wild," "Django Unchained," "Les Miserables," "Lincoln," "Looper," "The Perks of Being a Wallflower," "Promised Land" and "Silver Linings Playbook."

The group also recognized 10 exceptional independent films. They are "Arbitrage," "Bernie," "Compliance," "End of Watch," "Hello I Must Be Going," "Little Birds," "Moonrise Kingdom," "On the Road," "Quartet" and "Sleepwalk with Me."

WILLIAM AND KATE: David Letterman dedicated a Top 10 list to Britain's high-profile expectant parents, Prince William and his wife Kate, on "Late Show" in New York.

Letterman read "Least Likely Names for the Royal Baby" on Tuesday's edition of his late-night chat show.

It went as follows --

10. Kim Jong Windsor

9. Whoopi

8. Shemp

7. Quizno

6. Kenny

5. Gomez

4. Tie: Kim/Kourtney/Khloe

3. Zsa Zsa

2. Hosni

1. Mitt