He enjoyed his friendships with both musicians and writers, sometimes telling casual acquaintances that he was a writer. He was a modest, retiring man, known to his friends for his wit and charm. I was ready to trade the entire rights, lifetime-wise of "Take Five" for a used Ronson electric razor. 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 . 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]. Our weekly newsletter highlights our top stories and includes a local jazz events calendar. Paul Desmond. Desmond was also credited as the lead songwriter for the Quartets most famous composition, Take Five. About, Paul Desmond had a sound on alto saxophone that remains highly recognizable. Desmond's mother Shirley was emotionally unstable throughout his upbringing, and appears to have suffered from obsessivecompulsive disorder and other mental illnesses. Paul Desmonds income source is mostly from being a successful Soundtrack. Also during this time, Brubeck became one of the first jazz musicians to regularly tour and conduct seminars at. The quintessential cool jazz saxophonist, an alto with a shimmering sound and light, airy playing exemplified by his self-written "Take Five. Learn How rich is He in this year and how He spends money? Desmond's melodic solos were in marked contrast to the polytonal rhythms of Brubeck, but somehow they clicked and drove each other to greatness. There was a period of time when Desmond left Brubeck and performed with small groups. 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." Finally it clicked the hooded harvester from Ingmar Bergman's The Seventh Seal. The writing is exquisite. I read that the electronic version is available for around $15. Nationality: American Paul Desmond was born on the 25th of November, 1924. Born: November 25, 1924Died: May 30, 1977. Accompanying them were Brubeck's sons Chris Brubeck, Dan Brubeck and Darius Brubeck. Darius Brubeck recalls thinking that Desmond was his uncle almost into adolescence. Best known as a member of Dave Brubeck's legendary quartet and the man who wrote the biggest-selling jazz single ever, 'Take Five', Paul Desmond's importance as a jazz performer cannot be underestimated. 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]. For the critics it was a strange musical relationship. Jazz Goes to College , Columbia, 1954. Paul Desmond was born on 25 November 1924 in San Francisco, California, USA. There are several photos of Desmond in Europe carrying the portable typewriter case. Whos the richest Saxophonist in the world. [8], After drummer Joe Dodge decided to leave the group, Joe Morello joined in late 1956 with Desmond's recommendation. 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. ". Supplement 1, pp. [10], Desmond had a celebrated studio partnership with guitarist Jim Hall. Certainly this can apply to Doug Ramseys elegant 2005 biography of saxophonist Paul Desmond (1924-1977). Ill be dead., Copyright 2005-2020 -
156-157. - Don Thompson. 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. JUMP TO: Paul Desmonds biography, facts, family, personal life, zodiac, videos and related celebs. Much of the success of the classic Brubeck quartet was due to the juxtaposition of his airy style over Brubeck's sometimes relatively heavy, polytonal piano work.[14]. Paul Desmond was born in the Year of the Rat. The paper is high-quality and the photographic illustrations, some two pages, are equally elegant. 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. 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. 1" // "How Long, Baby How Long, Pt. Dave Brubeck and Paul Desmond, October 8, 1954. 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 . : Paul Emil Breitenfeld : American jazz alto saxophonist and composer (Composed "Take Five" for the Dave Brubeck Quartet). Overview
Desmond was born Paul Emil Breitenfeld in San Francisco, California, in 1924, the son of Shirley (ne King) and Emil Aron Breitenfeld. Paul Desmond died on May 30, 1977 due to lung cancer. Interested? And we didn't go back on. Reset your passwordClick the eye to show your password. Whereas, Brubeck was a dedicated family man, Desmond was a very private person. And he grinned. Desmond began sitting in with the trio and with Brubecks experimental octet at Mills. He is not dating anyone. In June 1969 Desmond appeared at the New Orleans Jazz Festival with Gerry Mulligan, with favorable reactions from critics and audience members. Hall played on several albums recorded by Desmond between 1959 and 1963 for Warner Bros. and RCA Victor. Discover what happened on this day. 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. 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. Desmond resented this, and threatened to leave the group. Then slowly, Desmond awoke. In 1976 Desmond played 25 shows in 25 nights with Brubeck, touring the United States by bus. Born in San Francisco in 1924, Desmond was one of the leading proponents of the West Coast "cool" style. Lemme Tell Ya 'Bout Desmond: the Music of Paul Desmond, Take Five: The Public and Private Lives of Paul Desmond, Desmond After Dark (With the Dave Brubeck Quartet). At first the Quartet spent time touring colleges with Desmond on the Alto Saxophone, and in 1953, they released their debut album titled Jazz at Oberlin, which was a live recording of their performances at Oberlin College. [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. New York: Oxford University Press, 2002. People born under this sign are clever and charming. They're curious, but sometimes too motivated by money. Trivia (5) But we knew he was getting weaker and weaker. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with that. 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. { 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. Although this book is out of print, there are occasionally copies available in the used book ads, some priced at $100 or more. Add photos, demo reels Add to list More at IMDbPro Contact info Agent info Known for A Civil Action 6.6 Paul Shalline 1998 Legends of the Fall 7.5 Roscoe Decker 1994 Glory 7.8 10th Connecticut Soldier 1989 All the King's Men 6.1 Slade 2006 Credits IMDbPro --publisher. Desmond also played with guitarist Jim Hall in New York City in 1971, and with Canadian guitarist Ed Bickert in Toronto. Generation also known as The Greatest Generation. Though a mild-mannered, professorial-looking man, Desmond was capable of strong emotion. His father suggested that he switch from violin to clarinet. He is from USA. Real Name: Paul Emil Breitenfeld Profile: American jazz alto saxophonist and composer (Composed "Take Five" for the Dave Brubeck Quartet). She died in 2013. In their 'Take The A Train' performance in Hanover, Germany in 1958, for example, Desmond's playing sounded lack-luster and uninterested. Is portrayed by John Timothy Burton in Crazy (2008). Theory
Extensive biography of jazz saxophonist Paul Desmond, one of the major jazz figures of all time, written by noted jazz critic Doug Ramsey. In a business where booze and drugs abound, his drinking was legendary, but it was three packs a day that caught up with him in May of that year. In his playing Desmond was also notable for his ability to produce extremely high notes, the altissimo register, on his saxophone.
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." When the Quartet split up in 1967, Desmond unofficially retired. |
Desmond appeared only half a dozen times with his "Canadian Quartet" Ed Bickert on guitar, Don Thompson on bass, and Jerry Fuller on drums. } 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. "Doug Ramsey's Take Five is an invaluable addition to jazz literatureby an especially enduring writer on the music. Like many famous people and celebrities, Paul Desmond kept his personal life private. He was a member of the Dave Brubeck Quartet and composed that group's biggest hit, "Take Five". 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. 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. This is a jazz music websitespammers will be deleted. Perhaps it was their uncanny ability to play counterpoint that endeared them to their fans and to each other. Paul Desmond was a Sagittarius and was born in the G.I. For several weeks, he led a small jazz combo at the Band Box in Redwood City that included Dave Brubeck. Privacy Policy | We do not sell or share your personal information | 2023 All About Jazz & Jazz Near You . "I have won several prizes as the world's slowest alto player, as well as a special award in 1961 for quietness." Albums include Take Ten, Two of a Mind, and Brubeck Time. During the 1970s Desmond joined Brubeck for several reunion tours, including "Two Generations of Brubeck". Awash in Dewars and full of health." People who are born with Jupirer as the ruling planet are optimistic and have a big appetite for life. Paul Desmond was born on November 25, 1924 in San Francisco, California, USA as Paul Emil Breitenfeld. And Dave said, "Well let's run it through." The rest of the Time Series albums were released between 1961 and 1963. He began by playing clarinet in high school and was tutored in music theory by his father, a theater organist and arranger. We don't have much information about He's past relationship and any previous engaged. Despite his many friends, Gene Lees wrote that Desmond was the "loneliest man" he ever knew. "@context": "https://schema.org", The Quartet formed toward the end of 1950 and took final shape with Eugene Wright and Joe Morello a few years later. His friends tell of his last weeks, when an old friend, jazz legend Charles Mingus, appeared at his apartment draped in a swirling black cape and a matching Spanish cowboy hat. The book has been out of print for several years and I obtained my copy through interlibrary loan. Yet with different musical aspiration and taste, their relationship was full of tension. 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. 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". 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. For example, many of his acquaintances never knew that hed been previously married. [11] Desmond is reported to have quipped, upon seeing a former girlfriend on the street, "There she goes, not with a whim but a banker" (a semi-Spoonerism reference to T.S. Read Full Biography. Of course, the author goes into detail about Desmonds long association with Dave Brubeck and family. At the New Orleans Jazz Festival he played a soaring set with Gerry Mulligan. 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. It was a sound that made him a favourite with critics and fans alike, and won him jazz poll after jazz poll. Playing with Desmond and Mulligan was really mind-blowing because they were such heroes for me. [4][7] That is how the Dave Brubeck Quartet had its start, a group that began in 1951 and ended in December 1967. He is primarily known for his paintings, drawings and sketches of horses and equestrian sports. 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. Genres MusicBiographyJazzHistory 370 pages, Unknown Binding As a child, he played the violin and the clarinet. We recommend you to check the complete list of Famous People born on 25 November. And the thing that makes "Take Five" work is the bridge, which we almost didn't use. In that capacity, he interviewed comedian Bob Hope for his school newspaper during one of Hope's visits to San Francisco. - Paul Desmond. 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. Their uncanny rapport and ability to interact kept the music exciting and fresh. - Ben Ratliff, The New York Times"Every jazz musician should be lucky enough to get a biography as thoroughly researched and luxuriously produced." After Desmond convinced Brubeck to hire him following his stint with Jack Fina, the two had a contract drafted (of which Brubeck was the sole signatory); the language forbade Brubeck from firing him, ensured Brubeck's status as group leader, and gave Desmond twenty percent of all profits generated from the quartet. He died on May 30, 1977 in New York City, New York, USA. You don't think of Paul Desmond as a real swinging musician, he's not famous for that.
Other articles where Paul Desmond is discussed: Dave Brubeck: the addition of alto saxophonist Paul Desmond. Large format (10x11"), hard bound with dust jacket, 372 pages, 190 photos, matte paper; complete with discography of all Desmond recordings. But usually they end up marrying some cat with a factory. It became the theme for the Quartet, de rigueur at all their concert appearances, and it made Desmond a small fortune in royalties. - Paul deBarros, Seattle Times"Rarely in the annals of jazz biography has a subject's career been documented so thoroughly a monumental work."
Pauls education details are not available at this time. Pristine, perfect. One of the greats, Charlie Parker, named him as his favourite alto player. 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. 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. His many fans didn't know that he was dying, and incapable of the level of playing that he was famous for. 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. There were also two albums with a Desmond/Gerry Mulligan quartet. It was first recorded in 1959 and is the third track on Time Out by the Dave Brubeck Quartet. [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. National Public Radio - Paul Desmond: 'The Sound of a Dry Martini', Public Broadcasting Service - Biography of Paul Desmond. Stbere im grten eBookstore der Welt und lies noch heute im Web, auf deinem Tablet, Telefon oder E-Reader. Paul Desmond's net worth According to our Database, He has no children. |
Died : May 30, 1977 in New York City, New York. Desmonds wry humor was intact even as he was dying. Chinese Zodiac: Paul Desmond was born in the Year of the Rabbit. I could see him about 70-75 years old he would have been terrific just to talk to and hang out with. [5] He never remarried.[1]. All Rights Reserved
Paul Desmond is known for A Civil Action (1998), Legends of the Fall (1994) and Glory (1989). They were greeted with enthusiasm wherever they played until the deteriorating eyesight of drummer Joe Morello cut short the tour. 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 on the 25th of November, 1924. Jim Hall talked him into coming to Toronto to play with Canada's premier jazz guitarist Ed Bickert. At the time I really thought it was kind of a throw-away. Desmond spent the remainder of his life playing with many different artists and composers. Played with the Dave Brubeck Quartet from 1951 until 1967. [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). So he just played the second half. 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 1924 Paul Desmond was born on November 25, 1924 in San Francisco, California, USA as Paul Emil Breitenfeld. All rights reserved. Was he just a minor figure in a jazz landscape of greats? And when it came time for the encore, because the whole audience wanted Paul back onstage he said the old cliche "Leave em wanting more." Paul Emil Breitenfeld is part of G.I. |
Lesser known, however, are the personal traits of Desmond. Many of Desmond; own pieces have a breathy bossa nova lyricism, true to the Brazilian original, not the jivey Americanized version. Some found Brubeck's playing heavy-handed. 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. 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. People of this zodiac sign like freedom, travel, philosophy, being outdoors and dislike clingy people, constrained, off-the-wall theories. Paul Desmonds mothers name is unknown at this time and his fathers name is under review. And that's what made "Take Five". The initials "G.I." Influenced by Lester Young and Pete Brown he originally played clarinet in the big bands of Jack Fina and Alvino Rey. Paul Desmond (Paul Emil Breitenfeld) was born on 25 November, 1924 in San Francisco, California, USA, is a Soundtrack, Music Department. Twenty years after his death from cancer, his music still sells, is still played, and still moves people. Desmond specified in his will that all proceeds from "Take Five" would go to the Red Cross following his death. 2022 Dave Brubeck. He was a member of the Dave Brubeck Quartet and composed that group's biggest hit, "Take Five". His witty quotations from musicals, classical pieces, and folk songs were also a watermark of his artistry. 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". The quintessential cool jazz saxophonist, an alto with a shimmering sound and light, airy playing exemplified by his self-written "Take Five." Jazz at Oberlin , Fantasy, 1953. Paul Desmond was born in 1920s. In their private lives Dave Brubeck and his family were very close to Paul Desmond, though the two men possessed very different personalities. 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 was a legendary American jazz alto saxophonist and composer. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. Instead, though they shared the same concert stage nearly every night, he didn't speak to Morello for a year. Once more details are available, we will update this section. [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. , money, salary, income, and assets. Live recordings of that concert and club dates with Bickert performed during 1974-1975 were released during and after Desmond's lifetime. Copyright 2005-2022 - JazzStandards.com
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. This is the way the world ends, not with a whim but a banker." 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 . He was famous for being a Saxophonist.
The decade was one of learning and exploration. 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. The economic boom and the Jazz Age were over, and America began the period called the Great Depression. One moment, you will be redirected shortly. "@type": "Person", It was really easy to play." Desmond played a Selmer Super Balanced Action model alto saxophone with an M. C. Gregory model 4A-18M hard rubber mouthpiece, both dating from circa 1951, with a moderately stiff Rico 3 reed.[16]. 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. The book never appeared. Dr. F. Norman Vickers is a founder of the Jazz Society of Pensacola/Pensacola Jazzfest and a charter member of the Jazz Journalists Association. Brubeck was studying at Mills College and playing nights with a trio in San Francisco. All rights reserved. the addition of alto saxophonist Paul Desmond. Eventually he was coaxed out of retirement to play occasional gigs with his friends. A new biography of Paul Desmond is a jazz fan's delight. He is currently single. After high school, Desmond enrolled at San Francisco State College where he majored in English. Although this book is out of print, there are occasionally copies available in the used book ads, some priced at $100 or more.
Age Difference Between Fran And Maxwell,
Victoria Police Salary By Rank,
City Of Omaha Property Complaints,
Which Of The Following Statements About Probation Is False?,
Nick Bjugstad Married,
Articles P