paul desmond biography

His warm, elegant tone was one that he admittedly tried to make sound like a dry martini. a question invariably asked by airline stewardesses. He was a modest, retiring man, known to his friends for his wit and charm. [10], Desmond had a celebrated studio partnership with guitarist Jim Hall. Fact Check: We strive for accuracy and fairness. It's so smooth and yet it's uncommon.If I ever decide I need another name, it's going to be Desmond. I was ready to trade the entire rights, lifetime-wise of "Take Five" for a used Ronson electric razor. "@context": "https://schema.org", Desmond grew especially close to Dave's son Michael, to whom he left his saxophone upon his death. Paul Desmond - Biography. Jazz at Oberlin , Fantasy, 1953. He did however, play one last concert with Brubeck in February 1977. Fortunately Don Thompson also doubles as a recording engineer, and a number of the club dates were recorded and released. 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]. Influenced by Lester Young and Pete Brown he originally played clarinet in the big bands of Jack Fina and Alvino Rey. He played his last gigs with the Brubeck Quartet at reunions before dying of lung cancer. He learned to play the alto saxophone during his first year at San Francisco State College. Ramsey and Desmond were friends for a long period. Desmond also joined the Modern Jazz Quartet for a Christmas concert in 1971 at the New York Town Hall.[4]. The quintessential cool jazz saxophonist, an alto with a shimmering sound and light, airy playing exemplified by his self-written "Take Five. Within several months they attained a measure of national fame, largely by word of mouth among West Coast critics who championed the groups innovations. "I have won several prizes as the world's slowest alto player, as well as a special award in 1961 for quietness." Desmond was a heavy smoker, several packs a day, as well as a drinker who could play well while in his cups. Lung cancer accounted for his decline and death at age 52. And that's what made "Take Five". For several weeks, he led a small jazz combo at the Band Box in Redwood City that included Dave Brubeck. People of this zodiac sign like freedom, travel, philosophy, being outdoors and dislike clingy people, constrained, off-the-wall theories. If you see something that doesnt look right, contact us. All rights reserved. Desmond is best known for his years with the Dave Brubeck Quartet (1959-1967) and his well-known composition "Take Five." He is a profoundly beautiful player." Doug Ramsey in his book Take Five: The Public and Private Lives of Paul Desmond reports that when asked if he wanted a memorial service, Desmond replied, I dont care. The Dave Brubeck Quartet Plays Cole Porter, We're All Together Again for the First Time, The Complete 1975 Toronto Recordings- 7 CD box, "Desmond Vs. It became the theme for the Quartet, de rigueur at all their concert appearances, and it made Desmond a small fortune in royalties. His last concert was with Dave Brubeck in February, 1977 at New York's Avery Fisher Hall. All About Jazz musician pages are maintained by musicians, publicists and trusted members like you. Inducted into the Big Band and Jazz Hall of Fame in 1991. Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. Despite his many friends, Gene Lees wrote that Desmond was the "loneliest man" he ever knew. Desmond who had studied creative writing and loved the "concept" of being a writer never got around to it. He worked occasionally for Dave Brubeck at the Geary Cellar in San Francisco. Desmond's mother Shirley was emotionally unstable throughout his upbringing, and appears to have suffered from obsessivecompulsive disorder and other mental illnesses. [1] In 1950 Desmond joined the band of Jack Fina and toured with Fina for several months, but he returned to California after hearing Brubeck's trio on the radio and deciding that he should repair his relationship with Brubeck and attempt to join Brubeck's increasingly successful band. 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. We will update Paul Desmond's Height, weight, Body Measurements, Eye Color, Hair Color, Shoe & Dress size soon as possible. the addition of alto saxophonist Paul Desmond. He was an eminent member of the highly renowned Dave Brubeck Quartet, and he earned a reputation as one of West Coasts best jazz saxophonists. He fronted a quartet featuring guitarist Jim Hall for two weeks at the "Half Note" in New York City, and broke their attendance record. Doug Ramsey. He stood in silent vigil at Desmond's bedside. Large format (10x11"), hard bound with dust jacket, 372 pages, 190 photos, matte paper; complete with discography of all Desmond recordings. One of Desmonds legendary performances was in collaboration with The Modern Jazz Quartet for a Christmas concert in 1971. Paul Desmond was born on November 25, 1924 in San Francisco, California, USA. He was an actor and composer, known for Rushmore (1998), Say Anything (1989) and Constantine (2005). The group also appeared on CBC-TV's Take 30, and were recorded at the Edmonton Jazz Festival. Paul Desmond was born on the 25th of November, 1924. Ill be dead., Copyright 2005-2020 - Alto Saxophonist, Composer. She died in 2013. Desmond began sitting in with the trio and with Brubecks experimental octet at Mills. Never without his humor, after he was diagnosed with cancer he expressed pleasure at the health of his liver. When is Paul Desmonds birthday? Within several months they attained a measure of national fame, largely by word of mouth among West Coast critics who championed the group's innovations. We have estimated So, how much is Paul Desmond worth at the age of 53 years old? And Dave said, "Well let's run it through." This is Desmond as leader and musical organizer, whose wit and warmth come singing through his song choices, his arrangements and his compositions. The decade was one of learning and exploration. "image": "https://s3.amazonaws.com/allaboutjazz/photos/profile/musician/Paul-Desmond-200-2017.jpg", The Quartet was extremely successful for their Time Series, which was a series of five albums that featured songs in irregular, unusual time signatures such as 5/4 and 9/8. Desmond's pure tone, the ingenuity of his melodic lines, his harmonic resourcefulness, the musical wit that reflected his literate and sophisticated personality, made him one of the most personal and appealing of all jazz stylists. He was an eminent member of the highly renowned Dave Brubeck Quartet, and he earned a reputation as one of West Coast's best jazz saxophonists. He had spoken to Don Thompson earlier that month, making plans to play New York with his quartet, but he never made it. Wild, subtle, delicate. They had four children (including Emil, father of Paul Emil). For seventeen years he was the lead soloist in the most commercially successful jazz combo ever, the Dave Brubeck Quartet. He was great to play with. He served a three-year term in the United States Army. There are several photos of Desmond in Europe carrying the portable typewriter case. Large format (10x11"), hard bound with dust jacket, 372 pages, 190 photos, matte paper; complete with discography of all Desmond recordings. A short, witty piece entitled How Jazz Came to Orange County Fair was published in. He was an actor and composer, known for Rushmore (1998), Say Anything (1989) and Constantine (2005). But he had really great time feel, he really did swing beautifully. So he just played the second half. Extensive biography of jazz saxophonist Paul Desmond, one of the major jazz figures of all time, written by noted jazz critic Doug Ramsey. Who are the richest people in the world? There was a sign in our hospital medical library which read: Any book is new until youve read it. Genres: Cool Jazz, Jazz, Bossa nova. This planet represents abundance, prosperity and the principle of expansion. Extensive biography of jazz saxophonist Paul Desmond, one of the major jazz figures of all time, written by noted jazz critic Doug Ramsey. Born : November 25, 1924 in San Francisco, California. The Singing Program of World War I: The Crusade for a Singing Army Author(s): E. Christina Chang Source: Journal of Historical Research in Music Education, Vol. During Morello's first performance with the group, he was featured by Brubeck and received an ovation from the audience for his solo. Awash in Dewar's and full of health. I knew Paul Desmond, but I found so much more I did not know."Nat Hentoff, author of American . One moment, you will be redirected shortly. Desmond was influenced by Lester Young, but took it further, into melodic and harmonic worlds never before traveled by reedmen -- especially in the upper registers. These illustrations made him a major influence on the image of urban males in twentieth-century America. Desmond once told Marian McPartland of National Public Radio's Piano Jazz that he was taken aback by the chord changes which Brubeck introduced during that 1944 audition. Paul Desmond discography and songs: Music profile for Paul Desmond, born 25 November 1924. They recorded fifty tunes in all, plus an album with strings. 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. Finally it clicked the hooded harvester from Ingmar Bergman's The Seventh Seal. It comprises seven discs of live recordings from iconic alto saxophonist Paul Desmond and his quartet across 11 nights at Toronto's Bourbon Street: four in March 1975 and seven in October. 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. | Chinese Zodiac: Paul Desmond was born in the Year of the Rabbit. 1991 Inducted into the Big Band and Jazz Hall of Fame in 1991. About, Paul Desmond had a sound on alto saxophone that remains highly recognizable. Many of Desmond; own pieces have a breathy bossa nova lyricism, true to the Brazilian original, not the jivey Americanized version. His last concert was with Brubeck in February 1977, in New York City. Articles Whos the richest Saxophonist in the world. All rights reserved. We recommend you to check the complete list of Famous People born on 25 November. In that capacity, he interviewed comedian Bob Hope for his school newspaper during one of Hope's visits to San Francisco. Paul Desmond was a Sagittarius and was born in the G.I. With his special brand of humor, Desmond said that he took the job only because he was nearby and could tumble out of bed to work. - Downbeat Magazine, July, 2005an invaluable addition to jazz literature. Desmond is best known for his years with the Dave Brubeck Quartet (1959-1967) and his well-known composition "Take Five." He met Brubeck in the late '40s and played with his Octet. There were also two albums with a Desmond/Gerry Mulligan quartet. Paul Desmond was born in the Year of the Rat. Desmond's mother, born Shirley King, was of an Irish Catholic family. His net worth has been growing significantly in 2022-2023. I knew Paul Desmond, but I found so much more I did not know. - Nat Hentoff, noted critic and jazz writerThe detail of the research is astonishing. The Dave Brubeck Quartet played until 1967, when Brubeck switched his musical focus from performance to composition and dissolved the group. He was known for being a Saxophonist. In their private lives Dave Brubeck and his family were very close to Paul Desmond, though the two men possessed very different personalities. Theory , money, salary, income, and assets. He is primarily known for his paintings, drawings and sketches of horses and equestrian sports. Desmond began to study the clarinet at the age of twelve, which he continued while at San Francisco Polytechnic High School. Desmond was born Paul Emil Breitenfeld in San Francisco, California, in 1924, the son of Shirley (ne King) and Emil Aron Breitenfeld. Then slowly, Desmond awoke. Much to his own amusement his liver was fine, "Pristine, one of the great livers of our time. The Complete Recordings of the Paul Desmond Quartet with Jim Hall (1959-65) , Mosaic, 1988. The writing is exquisite. There are also reissues from A&M and CTI, though recordings on Artist House and Finesse remain regrettably out of print. But his best work of the period was a happy collaboration with three Toronto musicians. Supplement 1, pp. I read that the electronic version is available for around $15. [13] Desmond reportedly owned a Baldwin grand piano, which he lent to Bradley Cunningham, owner of Bradley's piano bar in Greenwich Village, provided that Cunningham move the large piano back to Desmond's Upper West Side apartment to become part of Desmond's estate. Certainly this can apply to Doug Ramseys elegant 2005 biography of saxophonist Paul Desmond (1924-1977). Desmond enjoyed reading works by the thinkers of his generation like Timothy Leary and Jack Kerouac, also dabbling in some LSD usage. [4][7] That is how the Dave Brubeck Quartet had its start, a group that began in 1951 and ended in December 1967. According to our Database, He has no children. Desmond officially started work with the Dave Brubeck Trio (now Quartet with the inclusion of Desmond) in 1951. But he was also a moody man. Desmond featured Bickert on his 1975 studio album Pure Desmond, and the two played together at the 1976 Edmonton Jazz Festival. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. Dave Brubeck(PBS interview with Hedrick Smith)[6]. In one Down Beat review he was described as "oftimes loud and pounding and seemingly at a loss for melodic ideas." The success of the quartet led to a Time magazine piece on them in 1954, with the famous cover featuring Brubeck's face. One of the greats, Charlie Parker, named him as his favourite alto player. [4], Following his military discharge, Paul Emil Breitenfeld legally changed his last name from Breitenfeld to Desmond in 1946. Paul Desmond was born on 25 November 1924 in San Francisco, California, USA. Desmond died on May 30, 1977, not of his heavy alcohol habit but of lung cancer, the result of his longtime heavy smoking. An introvert whose literary ambitions found some expression in his bright and funny album liner notes, Desmond, who died of lung cancer in 1977 at 52, became famous in the 1950s with the hugely. He is a member of famous Soundtrack with the age 53 years old group. Songs | Paul Desmond (November 25, 1924 - May 30, 1977), born Paul Emil Breitenfeld, was a jazz alto saxophonist and composer born in San Francisco, best known for the work he did in the Dave Brubeck Quartet and for penning that group's greatest hit, "Take Five". He blew on a couple of albums with his old friend Chet Baker. Desmond produced a light, melodic tone on the alto saxophone, trying to sound, he said, "like a dry martini." People born under this sign are clever and charming. Desmond resented this, and threatened to leave the group. ". And I figure that it's a dumb move to trade a fairly secure place in the world of jazz for Number 493 Unemployed Humorist. As a child, he often played the violin (even though his father forbade him to do so), and the age of twelve, he would start studying the clarinet at San Franciscos Polytechnic High School. After World War II, Desmond started working in the San Francisco Bay Area, working as a backing musician. Other of his compositions such as Audrey, Desmond Blue, and Wendy are often visited by jazz musicians. Other articles where Paul Desmond is discussed: Dave Brubeck: the addition of alto saxophonist Paul Desmond. Later married Willis Dean Kaye (died 1986); they had one child, Christopher (1956-2014). Although this book is out of print, there are occasionally copies available in the used book ads, some priced at $100 or more. Accompanying them were Brubeck's sons Chris Brubeck, Dan Brubeck and Darius Brubeck. A new biography of Paul Desmond is a jazz fan's delight. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Zodiac Sign: Paul Desmond was a Sagittarius. With the immense success of Desmond's "Take Five," the Brubeck Quartet became the first million-selling jazz group. [15] His gift for improvised counterpoint is perhaps most evident on his two albums with baritone saxophonist Gerry Mulligan (Mulligan-Desmond Quartet and Two of a Mind). Reset your passwordClick the eye to show your password. The groups popularity had spread via college campuses, but a Time magazine article featuring Brubeck brought them international attention in 1954, the same year that Paul recorded his first album as a leader, The Paul Desmond Quintet - Desmond. In 1959, Desmond penned the first million-seller, jazz single, "Take Five". Brubeck was studying at Mills College and playing nights with a trio in San Francisco. JazzStandards.com - All Rights Reserved Paul never said it would be the end. Desmond hoped for a "tinky-boom" background-type drummer while Morello wanted to be recognized and featured. One thing I learned during the years of not playing I started hanging out in the bar in New York called Elaine's, where a lot of heavyweight writers spend a lot of time, and I discovered over a year or so that almost all of them have secret Walter Mitty dreams of becoming jazz players. Large format (10x11"), hard bound with dust jacket, 372 pages, 190 photos, matte paper; complete with discography of all Desmond recordings. His ambition, he said, was to sound like a dry martini. 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. | 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. 2" [78rpm 10" disc], "The Man I Love" // "Down In Honkytonk Town" [78rpm 10" disc], This page was last edited on 10 March 2023, at 12:58. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). They were greeted with enthusiasm wherever they played until the deteriorating eyesight of drummer Joe Morello cut short the tour. But usually they end up marrying some cat with a factory. Eventually he was coaxed out of retirement to play occasional gigs with his friends. 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. (1924 - 1977) Paul Desmond had a sound on alto saxophone that remains highly recognizable. He met Brubeck in the late '40s and played with his Octet. Desmond made the move from the San Francisco area to New York where he spent his remaining years. Overview Paul studied literature at San Francisco State and, although he did not pursue a writing career, he displayed considerable talent. Sign up with your email address to receive Brubeck news and updates. Also during this time, Brubeck became one of the first jazz musicians to regularly tour and conduct seminars at. His mother had some psychological issues such that Paul was sent off to live with relatives from elementary school age until his late teens. Desmond's improvisation is praised for its logical structure and lyricism. 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 The closest he came was one hilarious chapter that appeared in the British humour magazine, Punch. It was first recorded in 1959 and is the third track on Time Out by the Dave Brubeck Quartet. | Looking up, he searched his memory, trying to make sense of the image looming before him. All Rights Reserved Soundtrack: Rushmore. It is an oversized book, clothbound at 10 x 11. Desmond was also described as a womanizer who was unable to form (and was uninterested in maintaining) steady relationships with women, though he had no shortage of female companions throughout his life. Stbere im grten eBookstore der Welt und lies noch heute im Web, auf deinem Tablet, Telefon oder E-Reader. Search I've never seen a biography like it. - Gene Lees, Editor of "The Jazz Letter"This is the finest biography we've had of an important jazz figure. - Dan Morgenstern (Rutgers Institute of Jazz Studies), LEARNTimelineBrubeck BooksAbout Dave BrubeckBrubeck Living Legacy, LISTENLullabiesJazz WorksCompositionsTime OutTakes, CONNECTContact Find EventsDave Brubeck 100. - Don Thompson. Jim Hall talked him into coming to Toronto to play with Canada's premier jazz guitarist Ed Bickert. The Quartet formed toward the end of 1950 and took final shape with Eugene Wright and Joe Morello a few years later. Whereas, Brubeck was a dedicated family man, Desmond was a very private person. 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. New York: Oxford University Press, 2002. Omissions? Jim Hall Show less, Paul Desmond & His Canadians, The Complete Set At Last, More From The Late Ed Bickert With Paul Desmond, Instrument: Saxophone, alto It included dates with Gerry Mulligan for Verve, various sessions with Jim Hall, and a concert with the the Modern Jazz Quartet. In their later years they reconciled and became close friends.[9]. Theirs was a musical rapport that Desmond described as "kind of scary.". Colin Skinner: In Praise of British Big Bands, The Scintillating Enigma of Una Mae Carlisle, Integration in the Recording Studio: Eddie Condons Story, Peggy Haine & The Lowdown Alligator Jass Band to Play Again, James Reese Europe and the Clef Club Orchestra at Carnegie Hall. [2] However, Fred Barton, songwriter/arranger and Desmond's cousin, found extensive genealogical proof that both the Breitenfeld and Lwy families were Bohemian Jews. Paul Desmond, alto sax; Dave Brubeck, piano; Wyatt Ruther, bass; Herb Barman, drums. Like many famous people and celebrities, Paul Desmond kept his personal life private. There was a period of time when Desmond left Brubeck and performed with small groups. Frequently covered by a variety of artists, the track is the biggest-selling jazz song of all time and a Grammy Hall of Fame inductee.. Dave Brubeck was inspired to create an album based on odd time signatures during his state sponsored 1958 . The quartet became especially popular with college-age audiences, often performing in college settings, including their ground-breaking 1953 album Jazz at Oberlin at Oberlin College and at the campuses of Ohio University and the University of Michigan. 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. At the New Orleans Jazz Festival he played a soaring set with Gerry Mulligan. As a child, he played the violin and the clarinet. When drummer Joe Morello joined the Quartet in 1956, Desmond disliked his crowd-pleasing performances so much that he threatened to quit the Quartet. The harmony was always right, the melodies were always right. Desmond had a falling out with Brubeck when he resigned from the Band Box and prevented Brubeck from taking over the residency. Paul Desmond was born in San Francisco. Paul Desmond's net worth Desmond continued with the Quartet until their breakup in 1967, after which the Quartet only reassembled for reunion tours, the last of which was held in 1976, a year before Desmonds death. : same personnel. Desmonds encounter with the legendary Dave Brubeck has become a trademark story in the jazz world. Paul Desmond was a legendary American jazz alto saxophonist and composer. Paul Emil Breitenfeld was born on November 25, 1924 in San Francisco, California. Brubeck himself, thought that Desmond lacked ambition, but was upset when he signed a deal with RCA to record on his own, while still part of the Quartet. Updates? Playing with Desmond and Mulligan was really mind-blowing because they were such heroes for me. At the time, Brubeck and wife Iola had three small children, and Brubeck had instructed Iola not to let Desmond set foot in the family home. After Desmond died, the editor of Parkside Publications sought out Ramsey and persuaded him to write the book. After high school, Desmond enrolled at San Francisco State College where he majored in English. In addition to his work with Brubeck, he led several groups and collaborated with Gerry Mulligan, Chet Baker, Jim Hall, and Ed Bickert. Desmond appeared only half a dozen times with his "Canadian Quartet" Ed Bickert on guitar, Don Thompson on bass, and Jerry Fuller on drums. Paul Emil Breitenfeld was born on November 25, 1924 in San Francisco, California. Jazz at the College of the Pacific, Volume 2, Anything Goes! Paul Desmond is widely recognized for his genius as a melodic improviser and as the benchmark of cool jazz sax players. Extensive biography of jazz saxophonist Paul Desmond, one of the major jazz figures of all time, written by noted jazz critic Doug Ramsey. Discography 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 Discography postpartum doula boston,
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