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. 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. Paul Desmond is known for A Civil Action (1998), Legends of the Fall (1994) and Glory (1989). The greatest overall compatibility with Sagittarius is Gemini and Aries. Desmond began to study the clarinet at the age of twelve, which he continued while at San Francisco Polytechnic High School. 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. 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. 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. He is not dating anyone. ". Born : November 25, 1924 in San Francisco, California. View popular celebrities life details, birth signs and real ages. 1991 Inducted into the Big Band and Jazz Hall of Fame in 1991. Played with the Dave Brubeck Quartet from 1951 until 1967. JJM Strack said that Desmond's two influences were most likely Lester Young for his soft palette, and Artie Shaw for his lyricism. History I have won several prizes as the world's slowest alto player, as well as a special award in 1961 for quietness. [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. 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. His ambition, he said, was to sound like a dry martini. And, in fact, he was a prolific correspondent, carrying his Olivetti portable typewriter with him even on his foreign trips. 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 They toured the world, playing 300 concerts a year, and had a Columbia recording contract that called for four albums a year. Also during this time, Brubeck became one of the first jazz musicians to regularly tour and conduct seminars at In Concert at Town Hall (with the Modern Jazz Quartet), DRG, 1971. 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. He and Art Pepper were virtually the only alto players of their generation not directly influenced by Charlie Parker. Paul Desmond was a legendary American jazz alto saxophonist and composer. Once more details are available, we will update this section. Lesser known, however, are the personal traits of Desmond. One of the greats, Charlie Parker, named him as his favourite alto player. [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. All About Jazz musician pages are maintained by musicians, publicists and trusted members like you. Desmond met Dave Brubeck in 1944 in the military. Supplement 1, pp. 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. Theirs was a musical rapport that Desmond described as "kind of scary.". 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. There were also two albums with a Desmond/Gerry Mulligan quartet. Permission & contact Zodiac Sign: Paul Desmond was a Sagittarius. There were no children by that marriage and long thereafter Desmond was the man-about-town with multiple romances, some serious and some extremely casual. [1] His chemical-dependency problems would sometimes drain him of his energy on the road. Desmond was born Paul Emil Breitenfeld in San Francisco, California, in 1924, the son of Shirley (ne King) and Emil Aron Breitenfeld. Paul Desmond, alto sax; Dave Brubeck, piano; Wyatt Ruther, bass; Herb Barman, drums. For example, many of his acquaintances never knew that hed been previously married. Doug Ramsey. He learned to play the alto saxophone during his first year at San Francisco State College. Learn How rich is He in this year and how He spends money? [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). He was an actor and composer, known for Rushmore (1998), Say Anything (1989) and Constantine (2005). Biographies 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 We will update Paul Desmond's Height, weight, Body Measurements, Eye Color, Hair Color, Shoe & Dress size soon as possible. Is portrayed by John Timothy Burton in Crazy (2008). The Paul Desmond Papers are held at the Holt-Atherton Special Collections in the University of the Pacific Library. Looking up, he searched his memory, trying to make sense of the image looming before him. | The quintessential cool jazz saxophonist, an alto with a shimmering sound and light, airy playing exemplified by his self-written "Take Five. People who are born with Jupirer as the ruling planet are optimistic and have a big appetite for life. In the 1940s and 1950s, Desmond frequently took amphetamines, and in the 1970s, he was known to use cocaine. 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 was an actor and composer, known for Rushmore (1998), Say Anything (1989) and Constantine (2005). 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. Despite his many friends, Gene Lees wrote that Desmond was the "loneliest man" he ever knew. After Morello's complex rhythm, Desmond would play even quieter and even dropped for a few bars. After the Quartet disbanded in 1967, Desmond recorded a duet with Brubeck, guested with Brubecks musician sons, and played in pianoless groups with guitarist Jim Hall and baritone saxophonist Gerry Mulligan. He was a member of the Dave Brubeck Quartet and composed that group's biggest hit, "Take Five". Perhaps it was their uncanny ability to play counterpoint that endeared them to their fans and to each other. I read that the electronic version is available for around $15. In 1959, Desmond penned the first million-seller, jazz single, "Take Five". He took whatever work he could get as a player. 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. When is Paul Desmonds birthday? Paul studied literature at San Francisco State and, although he did not pursue a writing career, he displayed considerable talent. Extensive biography of jazz saxophonist Paul Desmond, one of the major jazz figures of all time, written by noted jazz critic Doug Ramsey. His last concert was with Brubeck in February 1977, in New York City. Bookmark this page and come back often for updates. The 1920s represented an era of change and growth. Born : November 25, 1924 in San Francisco, California. His last concert was with Dave Brubeck in February, 1977 at New York's Avery Fisher Hall. He was very easy, because harmonically there was a real clear logic in everything he played musically. He served a three-year term in the United States Army. The harmony was always right, the melodies were always right. "@context": "https://schema.org", In that capacity, he interviewed comedian Bob Hope for his school newspaper during one of Hope's visits to San Francisco. Paul Desmond discography and songs: Music profile for Paul Desmond, born 25 November 1924. 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. Awash in Dewar's and full of health. They had four children (including Emil, father of Paul Emil). 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. 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. These illustrations made him a major influence on the image of urban males in twentieth-century America. : Paul Emil Breitenfeld : American jazz alto saxophonist and composer (Composed "Take Five" for the Dave Brubeck Quartet). | Read Full Biography. If you see something that doesnt look right, contact us. There was an early marriage for Desmond but for various reasons, it didnt work out. 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) Famed critic Nat Hentoff called him "one of the most creative figures in modern jazz." Jazz Goes to College , Columbia, 1954. Discover today's celebrity birthdays and explore famous people who share your birthday. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. The two continued to play at the club to jam-packed audiences. Trivia (5) He was 43 years old, and he didn't play his horn again for three years. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). 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. Desmond's mother Shirley was emotionally unstable throughout his upbringing, and appears to have suffered from obsessivecompulsive disorder and other mental illnesses. 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. Search 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. One of the great livers of our time. , money, salary, income, and assets. It is an oversized book, clothbound at 10 x 11. There are several photos of Desmond in Europe carrying the portable typewriter case. Discover what happened on this day. Desmond's improvisation is praised for its logical structure and lyricism. He was one of the most popular musicians to come out of the cool jazz scene. 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. 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. 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. Desmond was torn for a time between a career as a writer and one as a musician. - Paul deBarros, Seattle Times"Rarely in the annals of jazz biography has a subject's career been documented so thoroughly a monumental work." Jazz at the College of the Pacific, Volume 2, Anything Goes! He fronted a quartet featuring guitarist Jim Hall for two weeks at the "Half Note" in New York City, and broke their attendance record. "[1], Desmond was married from 1947 to 1949 to Duane Reeves Lamon. Played with the Dave Brubeck Quartet from 1951 until 1967. At the New Orleans Jazz Festival he played a soaring set with Gerry Mulligan. 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. Live recordings of that concert and club dates with Bickert performed during 1974-1975 were released during and after Desmond's lifetime. Generation also known as The Greatest Generation. Dave Brubeck and Paul Desmond, October 8, 1954. Desmond is best known for his years with the Dave Brubeck Quartet (1959-1967) and his well-known composition "Take Five." 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].