The first Time Series album, Time Out, was released in 1959 and it was the first ever jazz album to sell over a million copies. Desmond's mother, born Shirley King, was of an Irish Catholic family. At 53 years old, Paul Desmond height not available right now. During the 1970s Desmond joined Brubeck for several reunion tours, including "Two Generations of Brubeck". Paul Desmond was born in 1920s. Desmond produced a light, melodic tone on the alto saxophone, trying to sound, he said, "like a dry martini." Finally it clicked the hooded harvester from Ingmar Bergman's The Seventh Seal. Doug Ramsey knew Paul Desmond personally for years and is a musician as well as a journalist so he has both the insight as well as the ability to tell the story well. He learned to play the alto saxophone during his first year at San Francisco State College. Ruling Planet: Paul Desmond had a ruling planet of Jupiter and has a ruling planet of Jupiter and by astrological associations Thursday is ruled by Jupiter. Paul Desmond Brown - Biography After meeting and playing together in the late 40s, they formed the Dave Brubeck Quartet in 1951 and never looked back. 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 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. - Downbeat Magazine, July, 2005an invaluable addition to jazz literature. The group also appeared on CBC-TV's Take 30, and were recorded at the Edmonton Jazz Festival. In 1954, the quartet was featured on Time Magazine. Bookmark this page and come back often for updates. Desmonds wry humor was intact even as he was dying. New York: Oxford University Press, 2002. "[1] Desmond developed a talent for writing during high school as well, becoming co-editor of his high school newspaper. 1 (Oct., 2001), pp. Interested? Take Five: The Public and Private Lives of Paul Desmond He spent three years in the military, but his unit was not called to combat. The book details how Desmond was an only child whose father was a musician-composer in the San Francisco area. About, Paul Desmond had a sound on alto saxophone that remains highly recognizable. Desmonds encounter with the legendary Dave Brubeck has become a trademark story in the jazz world. People born under this sign are clever and charming. There was a sign in our hospital medical library which read: Any book is new until youve read it. Our weekly newsletter highlights our top stories and includes a local jazz events calendar. Desmond who had studied creative writing and loved the "concept" of being a writer never got around to it. Stbere im grten eBookstore der Welt und lies noch heute im Web, auf deinem Tablet, Telefon oder E-Reader. Sign up with your email address to receive Brubeck news and updates. The Dave Brubeck Quartet played until 1967, when Brubeck switched his musical focus from performance to composition and dissolved the group. Other of his compositions such as Audrey, Desmond Blue, and Wendy are often visited by jazz musicians. Omissions? One of Desmonds legendary performances was in collaboration with The Modern Jazz Quartet for a Christmas concert in 1971. Jazz at the College of the Pacific, Volume 2, Anything Goes! According to our Database, He has no children. Paul Desmond Musician - All About Jazz Whereas, Brubeck was a dedicated family man, Desmond was a very private person. Doug Ramsey. Desmond was a guest artist on five tracks by Chet Baker recorded between 1975 and 1977. After years of chain smoking and poor health, Desmond succumbed to lung cancer in 1977 after a tour with Brubeck. The paper is high-quality and the photographic illustrations, some two pages, are equally elegant. Other articles where Paul Desmond is discussed: Dave Brubeck: the addition of alto saxophonist Paul Desmond. Famed critic Nat Hentoff called him "one of the most creative figures in modern jazz." Paul Desmond is known for A Civil Action (1998), Legends of the Fall (1994) and Glory (1989). - Don Thompson. He worked in dance bands and dixieland groups, entertained in amusement parks and resorts. Influenced by Lester Young and Pete Brown he originally played clarinet in the big bands of Jack Fina and Alvino Rey. Desmond was also credited as the lead songwriter for the Quartets most famous composition, Take Five. Desmond was born Paul Emil Breitenfeld in San Francisco, California, in 1924, the son of Shirley (ne King) and Emil Aron Breitenfeld. He was known for being a Saxophonist. Articles He is not dating anyone. Jazz musician and songwriter who played alto saxophone for the Dave Brubeck Quartet and penned the groups 1959 hit song Take Five. He was a prominent member of the post-World War II cool jazz movement. - Paul Desmond. After some time spent inactive, Desmond was asked to play the Half Note in New York City in 1971 by Hall. 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. He began by playing clarinet in high school and was tutored in music theory by his father, a theater organist and arranger. 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. 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. His time was amazing. 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 Credits (1-1,530 of 1,530) [4], Following his military discharge, Paul Emil Breitenfeld legally changed his last name from Breitenfeld to Desmond in 1946. 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. All rights reserved. Our weekly newsletter highlights our top stories, our special offers, and upcoming jazz events near you. Paul Desmond | Credits | AllMusic Ramsey has a musical background and was a writer, so it was a fortuitous fit. 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. Doug Ramsey, author of Take Five: The Public and Private Lives of Paul 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. a question invariably asked by airline stewardesses. After Morello's complex rhythm, Desmond would play even quieter and even dropped for a few bars. "Doug Ramsey's Take Five is an invaluable addition to jazz literatureby an especially enduring writer on the music. Desmond also played with guitarist Jim Hall in New York City in 1971, and with Canadian guitarist Ed Bickert in Toronto. We will update Paul Desmond's Height, weight, Body Measurements, Eye Color, Hair Color, Shoe & Dress size soon as possible. He blew on a couple of albums with his old friend Chet Baker. | Desmond officially started work with the Dave Brubeck Trio (now Quartet with the inclusion of Desmond) in 1951. For several weeks, he led a small jazz combo at the Band Box in Redwood City that included Dave Brubeck. Paul Desmond discography and songs: Music profile for Paul Desmond, born 25 November 1924. Paul Desmonds birth sign is Sagittarius and he had a ruling planet of Jupiter. 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]. Large format (10x11"), hard bound with dust jacket, 372 pages, 190 photos, matte paper; complete with discography of all Desmond recordings. National Public Radio - Paul Desmond: 'The Sound of a Dry Martini', Public Broadcasting Service - Biography of Paul Desmond. If you see something that doesnt look right, contact us. 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 cost. DR. (1924 - 1977) Paul Desmond had a sound on alto saxophone that remains highly recognizable. It's so smooth and yet it's uncommon.If I ever decide I need another name, it's going to be Desmond. Better Than A Dry Martini Songs | He was a member of the Dave Brubeck Quartet and composed that group's biggest hit, "Take Five". Updates? Died : May 30, 1977 in New York City, New York. 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. It became the theme for the Quartet, de rigueur at all their concert appearances, and it made Desmond a small fortune in royalties. All rights reserved. His net worth has been growing significantly in 2022-2023. When the Quartet split up in 1967, Desmond unofficially retired. He is primarily known for his paintings, drawings and sketches of horses and equestrian sports. It was really easy to play." At the New Orleans Jazz Festival he played a soaring set with Gerry Mulligan. In an era that worshipped the frenetic, bebop style of Charlie Parker, Paul Desmond found his own sound, a tone that he claimed imitated a "dry martini." Desmond met Dave Brubeck in 1944 in the military. Nationality: American Paul Desmond was born on the 25th of November, 1924. Jazz at Oberlin and Take Five were considered essential purchases by college students of the era, but Jazz Impressions of Japan was its most innovative recording. [8], After drummer Joe Dodge decided to leave the group, Joe Morello joined in late 1956 with Desmond's recommendation. Paul Desmond Biography - Jazz In Print - Periodicals, Books, Newspapers In his playing Desmond was also notable for his ability to produce extremely high notes, the altissimo register, on his saxophone. Take Five - Paul Desmond And Dave Brubeck - Piano Solo (with Sheet 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. : Paul Emil Breitenfeld : American jazz alto saxophonist and composer (Composed "Take Five" for the Dave Brubeck Quartet). While in high school, Desmond wished to study the violin, but his father dissuaded him, saying that violin players were "a dime a dozen.with the violin, you'll starve. 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. Officially he was writing a humorous memoir of his years on the road with the Quartet, to be titled How Many of You Are There in the Quartet? Paul Desmond - Biography. At the time I really thought it was kind of a throw-away. Genres: Cool Jazz, Jazz, Bossa nova. Influenced by Lester Young and Pete Brown he originally played clarinet in the big bands of Jack Fina and Alvino Rey. Paul Desmond was born on 25 November 1924 in San Francisco, California, USA. When drummer Joe Morello joined the Quartet in 1956, Desmond disliked his crowd-pleasing performances so much that he threatened to quit the Quartet. [4][7] That is how the Dave Brubeck Quartet had its start, a group that began in 1951 and ended in December 1967. After Desmond died, the editor of Parkside Publications sought out Ramsey and persuaded him to write the book. " attractive combination of affection and candor A serious, thoughtful book, as lucidly written as a first-class literary biography" - Terry Teachout, The Wall Street Journal"A major piece of jazz scholarship, the book cuts no corners." Like many famous people and celebrities, Paul Desmond kept his personal life private. 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. 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 was ready to trade the entire rights, lifetime-wise of "Take Five" for a used Ronson electric razor. Pauls education details are not available at this time. Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. Jim Hall talked him into coming to Toronto to play with Canada's premier jazz guitarist Ed Bickert. Paul Desmond Biography, Age, Height, Wife, Net Worth, Family Although this book is out of print, there are occasionally copies available in the used book ads, some priced at $100 or more. People who are born with Jupirer as the ruling planet are optimistic and have a big appetite for life. What used to scare me is I'd look at him and it would just be whites in his eyes, wouldn't be any eyeballs. Chinese Zodiac: Paul Desmond was born in the Year of the Rabbit. Privacy Policy | We do not sell or share your personal information | 2023 All About Jazz & Jazz Near You . Read Full Biography. 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. During Morello's first performance with the group, he was featured by Brubeck and received an ovation from the audience for his solo. Eliot's "This is the way the world ends / Not with a bang but a whimper"). 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. 23, No. In 1976 Desmond played 25 shows in 25 nights with Brubeck, touring the United States by bus. Although this book is out of print, there are occasionally copies available in the used book ads, some priced at $100 or more. Desmond meanwhile was gaining a reputation for his "original, intensely personal style." [10], Desmond had a celebrated studio partnership with guitarist Jim Hall. Despite his many friends, Gene Lees wrote that Desmond was the "loneliest man" he ever knew. In Concert at Town Hall (with the Modern Jazz Quartet), DRG, 1971. He is from USA. Born in San Francisco in 1924, Desmond was one of the leading proponents of the West Coast "cool" style. For the critics it was a strange musical relationship. 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 They made two studio albums together (Gerry Mulligan - Paul Desmond Quartet (1957), and Two of a Mind (1962)). Desmond's recordings for RCA have gotten box-set treatment and Mosaic issued one of the complete sessions with Hall. 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. The quintessential cool jazz saxophonist, an alto with a shimmering sound and light, airy playing exemplified by his self-written "Take Five. The harmony was always right, the melodies were always right. In June 1969 Desmond appeared at the New Orleans Jazz Festival with Gerry Mulligan, with favorable reactions from critics and audience members. And we didn't go back on. He was one of the most popular musicians to come out of the West Coast's . 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. Lesser known, however, are the personal traits of Desmond. The book never appeared. Paul Desmond - 1959-65 Quartet Recordings - Mosaic Records - Ben Ratliff, The New York Times"Every jazz musician should be lucky enough to get a biography as thoroughly researched and luxuriously produced." Observers noted that he seemed out of shape, needing 2 or 3 breaths to complete a phrase that he usually did with one great gasp. She died in 2013. We recommend you to check the complete list of Famous People born on 25 November. As guest soloist he ventured out with the Modern Jazz Quartet for a 1971 Christmas concert. Biography in: "American National Biography". 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. Paul Desmond was born in the Year of the Rat. New York: Oxford University Press, 2002. It included dates with Gerry Mulligan for Verve, various sessions with Jim Hall, and a concert with the the Modern Jazz Quartet. Paul Emil Breitenfeld is part of G.I. The Breitenfeld family in Bohemia and Vienna featured musicians in every generation throughout the 1800s, 1900s, and to the present day. 1" // "How Long, Baby How Long, Pt. 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 is a member of famous Soundtrack with the age 53 years old group. He was 43 years old, and he didn't play his horn again for three years. This is Desmond as leader and musical organizer, whose wit and warmth come singing through his song choices, his arrangements and his compositions.
paul desmond biography