Many of Desmond; own pieces have a breathy bossa nova lyricism, true to the Brazilian original, not the jivey Americanized version. Their uncanny rapport and ability to interact kept the music exciting and fresh. In their private lives Dave Brubeck and his family were very close to Paul Desmond, though the two men possessed very different personalities. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. The rest of the Time Series albums were released between 1961 and 1963. He appeared with Dave Brubeck in a series of concerts called "Two Generations of Brubeck" in which Dave played with his musical sons, and in 1976, the Quartet reunited for the Silver Anniversary Tour. Genres: Cool Jazz, Jazz, Bossa nova. Unlike some biographies which merely rehash each recording, Ramsey does a great job weaving the diverse strands of Desmond's personal life with his music making. Extensive biography of jazz saxophonist Paul Desmond, one of the major jazz figures of all time, written by noted jazz critic Doug Ramsey. He is a member of famous Soundtrack with the age 53 years old group. Genres MusicBiographyJazzHistory 370 pages, Unknown Binding Baker and Desmond also appeared together on two tracks included on Jim Hall's 1975 Concierto album. a question invariably asked by airline stewardesses. Bookmark this page and come back often for updates. According to our Database, He has no children. Paul Desmond was born in the Year of the Rat. Within several months they attained a measure of national fame, largely by word of mouth among West Coast critics who championed the groups innovations. Pristine, perfect. The quintessential cool jazz saxophonist, an alto with a shimmering sound and light, airy playing exemplified by his self-written "Take Five." Paul Desmond was a Sagittarius and was born in the G.I. His witty quotations from musicals, classical pieces, and folk songs were also a watermark of his artistry. After World War II, Desmond started working in the San Francisco Bay Area, working as a backing musician. Albums include Take Ten, Two of a Mind, and Brubeck Time. But he had really great time feel, he really did swing beautifully. Paul Desmond was born on 25 November 1924 in San Francisco, California, USA. Paul Desmond and members of his father's family "frequently speculated as to whether or not Sigmund or Hermine Breitenfeld had Jewish backgrounds", but they did not identify as Jewish, or observe Jewish traditions. Paul Desmond Follow Artist + The quintessential cool jazz saxophonist, an alto with a shimmering sound and light, airy playing exemplified by his self-written "Take Five." Read Full Biography Overview Biography Discography Songs Credits Related Share on facebook twitter tumblr Album Highlights Paul Desmond / Gerry Mu Two of a Mind Paul Desmond Biography in: "American National Biography". Large format (10x11"), hard bound with dust jacket, 372 pages, 190 photos, matte paper; complete with discography of all Desmond recordings. After this long and expensive process, Desmond willed the piano to Cunningham, a characteristic and final prank. "name" : "Paul Desmond", There are several photos of Desmond in Europe carrying the portable typewriter case. Famed critic Nat Hentoff called him "one of the most creative figures in modern jazz." [1] Starting in 1933, Desmond spent nearly five years living with relatives in New Rochelle, New York due to his mother's mental health problems. In 1959 their Time Out album, which experimented with time signatures, was an enormous hit, and Take Five, written by Desmond in 5/4 time, was the first jazz instrumental to sell over a million singles. These illustrations made him a major influence on the image of urban males in twentieth-century America. Perhaps it was their uncanny ability to play counterpoint that endeared them to their fans and to each other. Dave Brubeck(PBS interview with Hedrick Smith)[6]. Long before his success as the alto saxophonist with the Dave Brubeck Quartet, decades before he wrote "Take Five," Desmond determined that he would be himself, never a disciple or an imitator, whatever the . Whos the richest Saxophonist in the world. "[1], Desmond was married from 1947 to 1949 to Duane Reeves Lamon. Paul Desmond - Biography. Biographies Desmond was torn for a time between a career as a writer and one as a musician. | Theirs was a musical rapport that Desmond described as "kind of scary.". Extensive biography of jazz saxophonist Paul Desmond, one of the major jazz figures of all time, written by noted jazz critic Doug Ramsey. His father suggested that he switch from violin to clarinet. The Breitenfeld family in Bohemia and Vienna featured musicians in every generation throughout the 1800s, 1900s, and to the present day. He learned to play the alto saxophone during his first year at San Francisco State College. The Quartet formed toward the end of 1950 and took final shape with Eugene Wright and Joe Morello a few years later. Never without his humor, after he was diagnosed with cancer he expressed pleasure at the health of his liver. Desmond met Dave Brubeck in 1944 in the military. He was famous for being a Saxophonist. - Ben Ratliff, The New York Times"Every jazz musician should be lucky enough to get a biography as thoroughly researched and luxuriously produced." Paul Desmond is known for A Civil Action (1998), Legends of the Fall (1994) and Glory (1989). He met Brubeck in the late '40s and played with his Octet. His net worth has been growing significantly in 2022-2023. His last concert was with Dave Brubeck in February, 1977 at New York's Avery Fisher Hall. Desmond specified in his will that all proceeds from "Take Five" would go to the Red Cross following his death. Desmond played his loping, slow, ordered, and intricate solos in direct contrast to the pianist's obsession with large chords, creating a myriad of textures for melodic and rhythmic counterpoint unlike any heard in jazz. One of the things I thought about after Paul died was that it was really a shame because he would have been a really great old man. He was 43 years old, and he didn't play his horn again for three years. His warm, elegant tone was one that he admittedly tried to make sound like a dry martini. Like many famous people and celebrities, Paul Desmond kept his personal life private. Desmond met Canadian guitarist Ed Bickert through a recommendation by Jim Hall, and Desmond performed with Bickert at several clubs in the Toronto area during 19741975. He played his last gigs with the Brubeck Quartet at reunions before dying of lung cancer. : same personnel. "Doug Ramsey's Take Five is an invaluable addition to jazz literatureby an especially enduring writer on the music. Desmond died on May 30, 1977, not of his heavy alcohol habit but of lung cancer, the result of his longtime heavy smoking. All rights reserved. Take Five: The Public and Private Lives of Paul Desmond is the story of a jazz artist who transcended genres to establish one of the most immediately recognizable sounds in all of music. Tell us why you would like to improve the Paul Desmond musician page. "@type": "Person", It was first recorded in 1959 and is the third track on Time Out by the Dave Brubeck Quartet. It issaid that when Desmond started work in California at the Bandbox, Desmond hired Brubeck; only to first cut his pay in half and then fire him after taking him on tour just so that he (Desmond) could gamble in the casinos at Reno. Paul Desmond is widely recognized for his genius as a melodic improviser and as the benchmark of cool jazz sax players. With a style that was similar to that of Lee Konitz, one of his influences, he quickly became one of the best-known saxophonists from the West Coast's cool school of jazz. Paul Desmond was born in San Francisco. Wild, subtle, delicate. JJM Strack said that Desmond's two influences were most likely Lester Young for his soft palette, and Artie Shaw for his lyricism. Desmond was cremated and his ashes were scattered. Desmond made the move from the San Francisco area to New York where he spent his remaining years. Thanks to Parkside Publications and author Dave Ramsey for this labor of love., Take Five: The Public and Private Lives of Paul Desmond, By Doug Ramsey with foreword by Dave and Iola Brubeck. The two continued to play at the club to jam-packed audiences. He did however, play one last concert with Brubeck in February 1977. He blew on a couple of albums with his old friend Chet Baker. Bookstore In that capacity, he interviewed comedian Bob Hope for his school newspaper during one of Hope's visits to San Francisco. Twenty years after his death from cancer, his music still sells, is still played, and still moves people. A short, witty piece entitled How Jazz Came to Orange County Fair was published in. Discover what happened on this day. There was a sign in our hospital medical library which read: Any book is new until youve read it. All Rights Reserved There were also two albums with a Desmond/Gerry Mulligan quartet. He first collaborated with Gerry Mulligan, with whom he shared stage in 1969 and in 1974, the former being for the New Orleans Jazz Festival. Desmond was also drafted into the army for three years due to World War II, however, his unit was never called up to the front lines. Jazz musician and songwriter who played alto saxophone for the Dave Brubeck Quartet and penned the group's 1959 hit song "Take Five." He was a prominent member of the post-World War II "cool jazz" movement. [1] His chemical-dependency problems would sometimes drain him of his energy on the road. Discover today's celebrity birthdays and explore famous people who share your birthday. In 1976 Desmond played 25 shows in 25 nights with Brubeck, touring the United States by bus. Desmond was a guest artist on five tracks by Chet Baker recorded between 1975 and 1977. Brubeck managed to keep both Desmond and Morello in the group but with frictions between them for years. People born under this sign are clever and charming. So he just played the second half. The paper is high-quality and the photographic illustrations, some two pages, are equally elegant. Doug Ramsey. They had four children (including Emil, father of Paul Emil). In addition to his work with Brubeck, he led several groups and collaborated with Gerry Mulligan, Chet Baker, Jim Hall, and Ed Bickert. The book has been out of print for several years and I obtained my copy through interlibrary loan. Ill be dead., Copyright 2005-2020 - DR. A master of the alto saxophone as well as a consummate composer and musician, Desmond was a pivotal figure on the West Coast cool jazz scene. Paul Desmond was born in 1920s. "image": "https://s3.amazonaws.com/allaboutjazz/photos/profile/musician/Paul-Desmond-200-2017.jpg", By the time he reached college, he started playing the Alto Saxophone, which later became his most preferred instrument. During World War I, while training with the 17th New York Regiment in Plattsburgh, New York, he composed The Last Long Mile, one of the best-known soldiers' songs of that war.[3]. Corrections? He was a member of the Dave Brubeck Quartet and composed that group's biggest hit, "Take Five". We have estimated 23, No. Nationality: American Paul Desmond was born on the 25th of November, 1924. - Paul deBarros, Seattle Times"Rarely in the annals of jazz biography has a subject's career been documented so thoroughly a monumental work." This is the way the world ends, not with a whim but a banker." Of course, the author goes into detail about Desmonds long association with Dave Brubeck and family. Influenced by Lester Young and Pete Brown he originally played clarinet in the big bands of Jack Fina and Alvino Rey. Instead, though they shared the same concert stage nearly every night, he didn't speak to Morello for a year. He was an actor and composer, known for Rushmore (1998), Say Anything (1989) and Constantine (2005). Finally it clicked the hooded harvester from Ingmar Bergman's The Seventh Seal. Then in the 70s he changed labels to CTI, and did half a dozen more albums, proving once again that he was more than just a sideman. Discover Paul Desmond's Biography, Age, Height, Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, Family and career updates. In 1954, the quartet was featured on Time Magazine. One of the great livers of our time. 2022 Dave Brubeck. Desmond appeared at Brubeck's San Francisco apartment one day while Dave was in the back yard hanging diapers on a laundry line, and Iola, defying Brubeck's wishes, let Desmond in and took him to Dave. He fronted a quartet featuring guitarist Jim Hall for two weeks at the "Half Note" in New York City, and broke their attendance record. 156-157. Jazz at Oberlin , Fantasy, 1953. - Paul Desmond. Was he just a minor figure in a jazz landscape of greats? Other articles where Paul Desmond is discussed: Dave Brubeck: the addition of alto saxophonist Paul Desmond. 19-45 Published by: Sage Publications, Inc. Born 30 August 1927 in Los Angeles. radio broadcast, "Birdland", NYC, December 15, 1951 At A Perfume Counter (as Perfume Counter) Alto AL 711 That Old Black Magic How High The Moon * Alto AL 711 Dave Brubeck - Modern Complex Dialogues Lesser known, however, are the personal traits of Desmond. They're curious, but sometimes too motivated by money. Chinese Zodiac: Paul Desmond was born in the Year of the Rabbit. Eliot's "This is the way the world ends / Not with a bang but a whimper"). Though he never abandoned his gift for writing, music won, and he concentrated on clarinet, then the saxophone. Drums, or Adventures in Tinky-Boom", "Paul Desmond was revered for the pure, gentle tone of his alto saxophone, and the elegant lyricism of his improvisations", "Paul Desmond - 1959-65 Quartet Recordings - Mosaic Records", Paul Desmond Quartet Featuring Don Elliott, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Paul_Desmond&oldid=1143875769, United States Army personnel of World War II, Deaths from lung cancer in New York (state), Short description is different from Wikidata, Pages using infobox musical artist with associated acts, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, Joker (Italy) SM-3804; Blue Vox (Switzerland) B/90174, Dave Brubeck/Paul Desmond/Dave Van Kriedt, Europa Jazz (Italy) EJ-1032; Denon (Japan) 33C38-7681, Columbia C2L-26/C2S-826 [as double LP]; CL-2036/CS-8836 and CL-2037/CS-8837 [as single LPs], "How Long, Baby How Long, Pt. For example, many of his acquaintances never knew that hed been previously married. Whos the richest Saxophonist in the world? He worked in dance bands and dixieland groups, entertained in amusement parks and resorts. [2] However, Fred Barton, songwriter/arranger and Desmond's cousin, found extensive genealogical proof that both the Breitenfeld and Lwy families were Bohemian Jews. Jeff Barnhart, Hal Smith -with- Andy Schumm. Desmond also joined the Modern Jazz Quartet for a Christmas concert in 1971 at the New York Town Hall.[4]. Died : May 30, 1977 in New York City, New York. Paul Emil Breitenfeld is part of G.I. Interestingly, usually these were with guitaristsnotably Jim Hall and Canadian Ed Bickert. Paul Desmonds birth sign is Sagittarius and he had a ruling planet of Jupiter. "Take Five" is a jazz standard composed by Paul Desmond. Paul Desmond was born on the 25th of November, 1924. His time was amazing. Desmond began sitting in with the trio and with Brubecks experimental octet at Mills. In Concert at Town Hall (with the Modern Jazz Quartet), DRG, 1971. But through their years together Desmond remained remarkably loyal to his partner, "There's certainly nobody else with whom I would have stuck around this long." After meeting and playing together in the late 40s, they formed the Dave Brubeck Quartet in 1951 and never looked back. Dave Brubeck and Paul Desmond, October 8, 1954. Paul Desmond (born Paul Emil Breitenfeld; November 25, 1924 - May 30, 1977) was an American jazz alto saxophonist and composer and proponent of cool jazz. At the New Orleans Jazz Festival he played a soaring set with Gerry Mulligan. New York: Oxford University Press, 2002. The quintessential cool jazz saxophonist, an alto with a shimmering sound and light, airy playing exemplified by his self-written "Take Five.

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