Brubeck was trying out for the 253rd Army band, which Desmond belonged to. 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 Brubeck went back home to California and started work with his trio, with whom he landed a radio gig; upon hearing of Brubecks success, Desmond travelled back to California and begged Brubeck to hire him, which Brubeck did not, until he made Desmond babysit his children. All rights reserved. Dave Brubeck and Paul Desmond, October 8, 1954. They recorded fifty tunes in all, plus an album with strings. So he just played the second half. 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]. Unlike Brubeck, Mulligan shared much in common with Desmond, such as similar interests and humor, and both men had no shortage of addictions in their lives. Biography in: "American National Biography". "image": "https://s3.amazonaws.com/allaboutjazz/photos/profile/musician/Paul-Desmond-200-2017.jpg", He and Art Pepper were virtually the only alto players of their generation not directly influenced by Charlie Parker. 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. "Doug Ramsey's Take Five is an invaluable addition to jazz literatureby an especially enduring writer on the music. "Take Five" is a jazz standard composed by Paul Desmond. 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. Paul Desmonds birth sign is Sagittarius and he had a ruling planet of Jupiter. Julian "Cannonball" Adderley, an arch rival in various jazz polls said, "I believe that Paul Desmond shares with Benny Carter the title of most lyrical altoist. For several weeks, he led a small jazz combo at the Band Box in Redwood City that included Dave Brubeck. New York: Oxford University Press, 2002. Bookmark this page and come back often for updates. Though various critics credited the success of the Dave Brubeck Quartet to Desmond's horn, others over-looked his playing as "too pretty". "[1] Desmond developed a talent for writing during high school as well, becoming co-editor of his high school newspaper. Desmond officially started work with the Dave Brubeck Trio (now Quartet with the inclusion of Desmond) in 1951. 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. I was ready to trade the entire rights, lifetime-wise of "Take Five" for a used Ronson electric razor. Our weekly newsletter highlights our top stories, our special offers, and upcoming jazz events near you. It became the theme for the Quartet, de rigueur at all their concert appearances, and it made Desmond a small fortune in royalties. Extensive biography of jazz saxophonist Paul Desmond, one of the major jazz figures of all time, written by noted jazz critic Doug Ramsey. Paul Desmond, alto sax; Dave Brubeck, piano; Wyatt Ruther, bass; Herb Barman, drums. Paul Desmond. 1 (Oct., 2001), pp. 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. Pauls education details are not available at this time. Desmond was torn for a time between a career as a writer and one as a musician. During Morello's first performance with the group, he was featured by Brubeck and received an ovation from the audience for his solo. After Desmond died, the editor of Parkside Publications sought out Ramsey and persuaded him to write the book. I could see him about 70-75 years old he would have been terrific just to talk to and hang out with. Live recordings of that concert and club dates with Bickert performed during 1974-1975 were released during and after Desmond's lifetime. Paul Emil Breitenfeld is part of G.I. 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. Jim Hall talked him into coming to Toronto to play with Canada's premier jazz guitarist Ed Bickert. In 1976 Desmond played 25 shows in 25 nights with Brubeck, touring the United States by bus. 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 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. Jazz Goes to College , Columbia, 1954. He was 43 years old, and he didn't play his horn again for three years. In their later years they reconciled and became close friends.[9]. The success of the quartet led to a Time magazine piece on them in 1954, with the famous cover featuring Brubeck's face. Omissions? | He is a profoundly beautiful player." One of the greats, Charlie Parker, named him as his favourite alto player. Paul Desmond was born in 1920s. 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. Despite his many friends, Gene Lees wrote that Desmond was the "loneliest man" he ever knew. In 1953, Down Beat proclaimed, "It is again a case where the sideman (in this instance Desmond) seems to be quite superior to the leader as a jazzman." Jeff Barnhart, Hal Smith -with- Andy Schumm. } Desmonds childhood was problematic as his parents had a somewhat unhealthy relationship. Paul Desmond was revered for the pure, gentle tone of his alto saxophone, and the elegant lyricism of his improvisations. Learn How rich is He in this year and how He spends money? His last concert was with Brubeck in February 1977, in New York City. - Paul Desmond. They had four children (including Emil, father of Paul Emil). National Public Radio - Paul Desmond: 'The Sound of a Dry Martini', Public Broadcasting Service - Biography of Paul Desmond. Of course, the author goes into detail about Desmonds long association with Dave Brubeck and family. He was a modest, retiring man, known to his friends for his wit and charm. Some people called him the stork'Cause he would stand on one leg and leaned on the piano. Paul Desmond (born Paul Emil Breitenfeld; November 25, 1924 - May 30, 1977) was an American jazz alto saxophonist and composer, best known for the work he did in the Dave Brubeck Quartet and for composing that group's greatest hit, "Take Five". He served a three-year term in the United States Army. Died : May 30, 1977 in New York City, New York. Chinese Zodiac: Paul Desmond was born in the Year of the Rabbit. I knew Paul Desmond, but I found so much more I did not know."Nat Hentoff, author of American . The 1920s represented an era of change and growth. I shudder to think how close we came to not using that, because I said "Well I got this theme that we could use for a middle part". | And he grinned. Biographies Trivia (5) Zodiac Sign: Paul Desmond was a Sagittarius. 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. [1], Desmond's father Emil Breitenfeld was a pianist, organist, arranger, and composer who accompanied silent films in movie theaters and produced musical arrangements for printed publication and for live theatrical productions. Looking up, he searched his memory, trying to make sense of the image looming before him. In 1959, Desmond penned the first million-seller, jazz single, "Take Five". 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. His fans were unaware of his rapidly declining health. Clarinetist Perry Robinson recalls in his autobiography that Desmond would sometimes need a vitamin B12 shot just to go on playing during his later career.[10]. The harmony was always right, the melodies were always right. Desmond also played with guitarist Jim Hall in New York City in 1971, and with Canadian guitarist Ed Bickert in Toronto. But he was also a moody man. Whos the richest Saxophonist in the world. The Complete Recordings of the Paul Desmond Quartet with Jim Hall (1959-65) , Mosaic, 1988. He did however, play one last concert with Brubeck in February 1977. With the immense success of Desmond's "Take Five," the Brubeck Quartet became the first million-selling jazz group. Desmond who had studied creative writing and loved the "concept" of being a writer never got around to it. But it was his simpatico partnership with the formally-trained pianist Dave Brubeck that rocketed him to fame on the concert stages of the world. 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. the addition of alto saxophonist Paul Desmond. For seventeen years he was the lead soloist in the most commercially successful jazz combo ever, the Dave Brubeck Quartet. These were released on the albums She Was Too Good to Me, You Can't Go Home Again, and The Best Thing For You. Desmond's improvisation is praised for its logical structure and lyricism. One of Desmonds legendary performances was in collaboration with The Modern Jazz Quartet for a Christmas concert in 1971. Interested? Desmond was cremated and his ashes were scattered. To me his lyricism has never been equalled, as far as logic and lyricism combined, because there's always a strand going back some place in his melodies, and in his choruses that shows a great intellect combined with a great emotionalism, and usually you don't find the two things in one person. 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. Also learn how He earned most of Paul Desmond networth? His ambition, he said, was to sound like a dry martini. Desmond was also credited as the lead songwriter for the Quartets most famous composition, Take Five. Genres MusicBiographyJazzHistory 370 pages, Unknown Binding 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. 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. Desmond is best known for his years with the Dave Brubeck Quartet (1959-1967) and his well-known composition "Take Five." Eventually he was coaxed out of retirement to play occasional gigs with his friends. Paul Emil Breitenfeld was born on November 25, 1924 in San Francisco, California. Paul Desmond discography and songs: Music profile for Paul Desmond, born 25 November 1924. Most readers likely are familiar with that musical combination and recordings. Stbere im grten eBookstore der Welt und lies noch heute im Web, auf deinem Tablet, Telefon oder E-Reader. Influenced by Lester Young and Pete Brown he originally played clarinet in the big bands of Jack Fina and Alvino Rey. "@type": "Person", 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. Desmond had a falling out with Brubeck when he resigned from the Band Box and prevented Brubeck from taking over the residency. - Downbeat Magazine, July, 2005an invaluable addition to jazz literature. He is also well-known for his over three decades of illustrations for Brooks Brothers catalogs including more than one-thousand drawings. Paul Desmond's net worth Dave Brubeck. He frequently played in Toronto, Canada, leading a quartet that included guitarist Ed Bickert, bassist Don Thompson, and drummer Jerry Fuller. 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. Desmond also joined the Modern Jazz Quartet for a Christmas concert in 1971 at the New York Town Hall.[4]. Standards such as "I Get a Kick Out of You" and "For All We Know" shared album space with Desmond originals like "Take Ten", and "El Prince". - Paul Desmond. Then slowly, Desmond awoke. The group also appeared on CBC-TV's Take 30, and were recorded at the Edmonton Jazz Festival. Wild, subtle, delicate. He was one of the most popular musicians to come out of the cool jazz scene. 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. Paul Desmond was an American jazz alto saxophonist and composer, best known for his work with the Dave Brubeck Quartet and for composing that group's biggest hit, "Take Five". Desmond began to study the clarinet at the age of twelve, which he continued while at San Francisco Polytechnic High School. The two continued to play at the club to jam-packed audiences. Although this book is out of print, there are occasionally copies available in the used book ads, some priced at $100 or more. 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? Played with the Dave Brubeck Quartet from 1951 until 1967. "[1], Desmond was married from 1947 to 1949 to Duane Reeves Lamon. information, Home | He was known for being a Saxophonist. People who are born with Jupirer as the ruling planet are optimistic and have a big appetite for life. The economic boom and the Jazz Age were over, and America began the period called the Great Depression. The Quartet formed toward the end of 1950 and took final shape with Eugene Wright and Joe Morello a few years later. Born in San Francisco in 1924, Desmond was one of the leading proponents of the West Coast "cool" style. Ramsey has a musical background and was a writer, so it was a fortuitous fit. At the New Orleans Jazz Festival he played a soaring set with Gerry Mulligan. 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. 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. Their uncanny rapport and ability to interact kept the music exciting and fresh. Certainly this can apply to Doug Ramseys elegant 2005 biography of saxophonist Paul Desmond (1924-1977). He is a member of famous Soundtrack with the age 53 years old group. He donated many of his possessions to libraries and to charity. Is portrayed by John Timothy Burton in Crazy (2008). So thrilled was he with his first two weeks at Toronto's "Bourbon Street", that Desmond rushed back to New York and talked record producer Creed Taylor into flying Bickert in so that he could record an album with him. Other of his compositions such as Audrey, Desmond Blue, and Wendy are often visited by jazz musicians. 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. Perhaps it was their uncanny ability to play counterpoint that endeared them to their fans and to each other. Desmond's mother, born Shirley King, was of an Irish Catholic family. Born : November 25, 1924 in San Francisco, California. Much to his own amusement his liver was fine, "Pristine, one of the great livers of our time. Paul Desmond was a Sagittarius and was born in the G.I. The initials "G.I." About, Paul Desmond had a sound on alto saxophone that remains highly recognizable. The Breitenfeld family in Bohemia and Vienna featured musicians in every generation throughout the 1800s, 1900s, and to the present day. After making the cut heunlike Desmondwas sent overseas in 1944, to Europe. 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. 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. "@context": "https://schema.org", Desmond specified in his will that all proceeds from "Take Five" would go to the Red Cross following his death. On the first page of the set's notes, we are informed that Toronto bassist and recording engineer Don Thompson recorded Desmond's quartet in March . This page is updated often with new details about Paul Desmond. Within several months they attained a measure of national fame, largely by word of mouth among West Coast critics who championed the groups innovations. There are also reissues from A&M and CTI, though recordings on Artist House and Finesse remain regrettably out of print. I read that the electronic version is available for around $15. As guest soloist he ventured out with the Modern Jazz Quartet for a 1971 Christmas concert. Our weekly newsletter highlights our top stories and includes a local jazz events calendar. His net worth has been growing significantly in 2022-2023. After this long and expensive process, Desmond willed the piano to Cunningham, a characteristic and final prank. A new biography of Paul Desmond is a jazz fan's delight. Large format (10x11"), hard bound with dust jacket, 372 pages, 190 photos, matte paper; complete with discography of all Desmond recordings. Paul Desmond was born in San Francisco. Desmond resented this, and threatened to leave the group. There were also two albums with a Desmond/Gerry Mulligan quartet. He had spoken to Don Thompson earlier that month, making plans to play New York with his quartet, but he never made it. The quintessential cool jazz saxophonist, an alto with a shimmering sound and light, airy playing exemplified by his self-written "Take Five. Famed critic Nat Hentoff called him "one of the most creative figures in modern jazz." So, how much is Paul Desmond worth at the age of 53 years old? In 1953 Iola Brubeck Iola Brubeck wrote to more than 100 colleges and universities enclosing reviews of the Dave Brubeck Quartet, a . But that that was when he was playing great. Updates? Tell us why you would like to improve the Paul Desmond musician page. Extensive biography of jazz saxophonist Paul Desmond, one of the major jazz figures of all time, written by noted jazz critic Doug Ramsey. He was an actor and composer, known for Rushmore (1998), Say Anything (1989) and Constantine (2005). Desmond featured Bickert on his 1975 studio album Pure Desmond, and the two played together at the 1976 Edmonton Jazz Festival. He enjoyed his friendships with both musicians and writers, sometimes telling casual acquaintances that he was a writer. Corrections? --publisher. Large format (10x11"), hard bound with dust jacket, 372 pages, 190 photos, matte paper; complete with discography of all Desmond recordings. Desmond made the move from the San Francisco area to New York where he spent his remaining years. He was one of the most popular musicians to come out of the West Coast's . | Paul Desmond was born on November 25, 1924 in San Francisco, California, USA as Paul Emil Breitenfeld. 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. After some time spent inactive, Desmond was asked to play the Half Note in New York City in 1971 by Hall. History He took whatever work he could get as a player. And the thing that makes "Take Five" work is the bridge, which we almost didn't use. After World War II, Desmond started working in the San Francisco Bay Area, working as a backing musician. He told many stories over the years regarding how he chose the name Desmond, but his biographer Doug Ramsey offers an account from Desmond's friend Hal Strack that the two were listening to the Glenn Miller band singer Johnny Desmond in 1942, and Desmond told Strack "that's such a great name.