Some found Brubeck's playing heavy-handed. information, Home | Articles 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. He is primarily known for his paintings, drawings and sketches of horses and equestrian sports. Once more details are available, we will update this section. He began by playing clarinet in high school and was tutored in music theory by his father, a theater organist and arranger. This page is updated often with new details about Paul Desmond. Reset your passwordClick the eye to show your password. Paul Desmond was born in the Year of the Rat. Then slowly, Desmond awoke. 23, No. 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. Of course, the author goes into detail about Desmonds long association with Dave Brubeck and family. Paul Desmond was a Sagittarius and was born in the G.I. The quintessential cool jazz saxophonist, an alto with a shimmering sound and light, airy playing exemplified by his self-written "Take Five." "Take Five" is a jazz standard composed by Paul Desmond. 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". All About Jazz musician pages are maintained by musicians, publicists and trusted members like you. 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. She died in 2013. Our weekly newsletter highlights our top stories and includes a local jazz events calendar. Paul Desmond - IMDb Playing with him, you really couldn't go wrong. 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. Paul Emil Breitenfeld was born on November 25, 1924 in San Francisco, California. He was an actor and composer, known for Rushmore (1998), Say Anything (1989) and Constantine (2005). Large format (10x11"), hard bound with dust jacket, 372 pages, 190 photos, matte paper; complete with discography of all Desmond recordings. Learn How rich is He in this year and how He spends money? Desmond was torn for a time between a career as a writer and one as a musician. 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 And Dave said, "Well let's run it through." In that capacity, he interviewed comedian Bob Hope for his school newspaper during one of Hope's visits to San Francisco. He frequently played in Toronto, Canada, leading a quartet that included guitarist Ed Bickert, bassist Don Thompson, and drummer Jerry Fuller. Theory 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. Paul Desmond was revered for the pure, gentle tone of his alto saxophone, and the elegant lyricism of his improvisations. Paul Desmond | American musician | Britannica This generation experienced much of their youth during the Great Depression and rapid technological innovation such as the radio and the telephone. Paul Desmond was born on November 25, 1924 in San Francisco, California, USA. Our weekly newsletter highlights our top stories, our special offers, and upcoming jazz events near you. Nationality: American Paul Desmond was born on the 25th of November, 1924. 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. 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. ". He was an actor and composer, known for Rushmore (1998), Say Anything (1989) and Constantine (2005). 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. Better Than A Dry Martini Whereas, Brubeck was a dedicated family man, Desmond was a very private person. 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. Songs | "image": "https://s3.amazonaws.com/allaboutjazz/photos/profile/musician/Paul-Desmond-200-2017.jpg", Buy. [1] His chemical-dependency problems would sometimes drain him of his energy on the road. He was a modest, retiring man, known to his friends for his wit and charm. : same personnel. 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. After years of chain smoking and poor health, Desmond succumbed to lung cancer in 1977 after a tour with Brubeck. He died on May 30, 1977 in New York City, New York, USA. For seventeen years he was the lead soloist in the most commercially successful jazz combo ever, the Dave Brubeck Quartet. Many of Desmond; own pieces have a breathy bossa nova lyricism, true to the Brazilian original, not the jivey Americanized version. As guest soloist he ventured out with the Modern Jazz Quartet for a 1971 Christmas concert. 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. Paul Desmond - Bio, Personal Life, Family & Cause Of Death - CelebsAges Paul Desmond was a legendary American jazz alto saxophonist and composer. By the time he reached college, he started playing the Alto Saxophone, which later became his most preferred instrument. 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. If you see something that doesnt look right, contact us. The quintessential cool jazz saxophonist, an alto with a shimmering sound and light, airy playing exemplified by his self-written "Take Five. With the immense success of Desmond's "Take Five," the Brubeck Quartet became the first million-selling jazz group. 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 writing is exquisite. The rest of the Time Series albums were released between 1961 and 1963. I have won several prizes as the world's slowest alto player, as well as a special award in 1961 for quietness. [1] His grandfather Sigmund Breitenfeld, a medical doctor, was born in Austria in 1857; he and wife Hermine (ne Lewy) emigrated to the US at the end of the 19th century. They made two studio albums together (Gerry Mulligan - Paul Desmond Quartet (1957), and Two of a Mind (1962)). Famed critic Nat Hentoff called him "one of the most creative figures in modern jazz." - Don Thompson. When drummer Joe Morello joined the Quartet in 1956, Desmond disliked his crowd-pleasing performances so much that he threatened to quit the Quartet. But his best work of the period was a happy collaboration with three Toronto musicians. Paul Desmond | | Discogs Discover Paul Desmond's Biography, Age, Height, Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, Family and career updates. Paul Desmond discography and songs: Music profile for Paul Desmond, born 25 November 1924. Omissions? They recorded fifty tunes in all, plus an album with strings. | - Ben Ratliff, The New York Times"Every jazz musician should be lucky enough to get a biography as thoroughly researched and luxuriously produced." Doug Ramsey, author of Take Five: The Public and Private Lives of Paul This is Desmond as leader and musical organizer, whose wit and warmth come singing through his song choices, his arrangements and his compositions. They toured the world, playing 300 concerts a year, and had a Columbia recording contract that called for four albums a year. Influenced by Lester Young and Pete Brown he originally played clarinet in the big bands of Jack Fina and Alvino Rey. Jeff Barnhart, Hal Smith -with- Andy Schumm. Paul Desmond (Breitenfeld) (1924 - 1977) - Genealogy But that that was when he was playing great. 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. 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? It was a sound that made him a favourite with critics and fans alike, and won him jazz poll after jazz poll. --publisher. : Paul Emil Breitenfeld : American jazz alto saxophonist and composer (Composed "Take Five" for the Dave Brubeck Quartet). He did however, play one last concert with Brubeck in February 1977. Search In 1951 Desmond joined what was to become one of the most famous groups in jazz, the Dave Brubeck Quartet. Desmond appeared only half a dozen times with his "Canadian Quartet" Ed Bickert on guitar, Don Thompson on bass, and Jerry Fuller on drums. the addition of alto saxophonist Paul Desmond. Also during this time, Brubeck became one of the first jazz musicians to regularly tour and conduct seminars at. In 1959, Desmond penned the first million-seller, jazz single, "Take Five". Interested? One of the great livers of our time. He blew on a couple of albums with his old friend Chet Baker. The Public and Private Lives of Paul Desmond, Rezensionen werden nicht berprft, Google sucht jedoch gezielt nach geflschten Inhalten und entfernt diese, Foreword by Dave Brubeck and Iola Brubeck, Take Five: The Public and Private Lives of Paul Desmond. You don't think of Paul Desmond as a real swinging musician, he's not famous for that. 2022 Dave Brubeck. Paul Emil Breitenfeld is part of G.I. His ambition, he said, was to sound like a dry martini. Perhaps it was their uncanny ability to play counterpoint that endeared them to their fans and to each other. The Paul Desmond Papers are held at the Holt-Atherton Special Collections in the University of the Pacific Library. He was 43 years old, and he didn't play his horn again for three years. One of the greats, Charlie Parker, named him as his favourite alto player. His friends called him "the perennial bachelor" few knew that he had been married early in life. We will update Paul Desmond's Height, weight, Body Measurements, Eye Color, Hair Color, Shoe & Dress size soon as possible. In June 1969 Desmond appeared at the New Orleans Jazz Festival with Gerry Mulligan, with favorable reactions from critics and audience members. Whos the richest Saxophonist in the world? Bookmark this page and come back often for updates. In contrast, Brubeck was deeply religious and a stalwart family man.[7]. After making the cut heunlike Desmondwas sent overseas in 1944, to Europe. They're curious, but sometimes too motivated by money. Paul Desmond died on May 30, 1977 due to lung cancer. Much to his own amusement his liver was fine, "Pristine, one of the great livers of our time. Take Five - Wikipedia - Paul Desmond. 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. Desmond had a falling out with Brubeck when he resigned from the Band Box and prevented Brubeck from taking over the residency. With a style that was similar to that of Lee Konitz, one of his influences, he quickly became one of the best-known saxophonists from the West Coast's cool school of jazz. 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. Born in San Francisco in 1924, Desmond was one of the leading proponents of the West Coast "cool" style. Paul Desmond - Biography - IMDb 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. Paul Desmond | Discography | Discogs 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. Instead, though they shared the same concert stage nearly every night, he didn't speak to Morello for a year. In 1953 Iola Brubeck Iola Brubeck wrote to more than 100 colleges and universities enclosing reviews of the Dave Brubeck Quartet, a . He is not dating anyone. After meeting and playing together in the late 40s, they formed the Dave Brubeck Quartet in 1951 and never looked back. 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. His many fans didn't know that he was dying, and incapable of the level of playing that he was famous for. Extensive biography of jazz saxophonist Paul Desmond, one of the major jazz figures of all time, written by noted jazz critic Doug Ramsey. 1 (Oct., 2001), pp. He enjoyed his friendships with both musicians and writers, sometimes telling casual acquaintances that he was a writer. History 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. The Complete Recordings of the Paul Desmond Quartet with Jim Hall (1959-65) , Mosaic, 1988. He was famous for being a Saxophonist. Large format (10x11"), hard bound with dust jacket, 372 pages, 190 photos, matte paper; complete with discography of all Desmond recordings. Biographies People of this zodiac sign like freedom, travel, philosophy, being outdoors and dislike clingy people, constrained, off-the-wall theories. The success of the quartet led to a Time magazine piece on them in 1954, with the famous cover featuring Brubeck's face. Generation also known as The Greatest Generation. Baker and Desmond also appeared together on two tracks included on Jim Hall's 1975 Concierto album. As a child, he played the violin and the clarinet. Paul Desmond: The Complete 1975 Toronto Recordings (Mosaic) Desmond spent the remainder of his life playing with many different artists and composers. 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 . No wonder that articles started appearing questioning the basis of the Desmond-Brubeck collaboration. The economic boom and the Jazz Age were over, and America began the period called the Great Depression. Paul Desmond | Credits | AllMusic His warm, elegant tone was one that he admittedly tried to make sound like a dry martini. 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. Paul Desmonds income source is mostly from being a successful Soundtrack. Looking up, he searched his memory, trying to make sense of the image looming before him. Doug Ramsey. There are several photos of Desmond in Europe carrying the portable typewriter case. Inducted into the Big Band and Jazz Hall of Fame in 1991. Desmond resented this, and threatened to leave the group. Desmond first met pianist Dave Brubeck while both were in the Army, and in 1947 they connected again. [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. | He was known to have several addictions, including Dewar's Scotch whisky and Pall Mall cigarettes. Awash in Dewars and full of health." [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. Desmond featured Bickert on his 1975 studio album Pure Desmond, and the two played together at the 1976 Edmonton Jazz Festival. 1924 Paul Desmond was born on November 25, 1924 in San Francisco, California, USA as Paul Emil Breitenfeld. But we knew he was getting weaker and weaker. [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. | Interestingly, usually these were with guitaristsnotably Jim Hall and Canadian Ed Bickert. Genres MusicBiographyJazzHistory 370 pages, Unknown Binding He died on 30 May 1977 in New York City, New York, USA. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with that. 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. He was one of the most popular musicians to come out of the cool jazz scene. Brubeck was trying out for the 253rd Army band, which Desmond belonged to. Influenced by Lester Young and Pete Brown he originally played clarinet in the big bands of Jack Fina and Alvino Rey. Theirs was a musical rapport that Desmond described as "kind of scary.". 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". Paul Desmond, alto sax; Dave Brubeck, piano; Wyatt Ruther, bass; Herb Barman, drums. Played with the Dave Brubeck Quartet from 1951 until 1967. 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. 1" // "How Long, Baby How Long, Pt. In the 1940s and 1950s, Desmond frequently took amphetamines, and in the 1970s, he was known to use cocaine. A short, witty piece entitled How Jazz Came to Orange County Fair was published in. The greatest overall compatibility with Sagittarius is Gemini and Aries. The closest he came was one hilarious chapter that appeared in the British humour magazine, Punch. Discover today's celebrity birthdays and explore famous people who share your birthday. Desmond met Dave Brubeck in 1944 in the military. 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. a question invariably asked by airline stewardesses. When pianist Marian McPartland asked him about his dates he punned, "Sometimes they go around with guys who are scuffling for a while. "@type": "Person", Paul Desmond was a legendary American jazz alto saxophonist and composer. So he just played the second half. They had four children (including Emil, father of Paul Emil). 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. Accompanying them were Brubeck's sons Chris Brubeck, Dan Brubeck and Darius Brubeck. JUMP TO: Paul Desmonds biography, facts, family, personal life, zodiac, videos and related celebs. In this area, Desmond was a private person. Paul Desmond was born on the 25th of November, 1924. Ill be dead., Copyright 2005-2020 - It's so smooth and yet it's uncommon.If I ever decide I need another name, it's going to be Desmond. , money, salary, income, and assets. 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 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. Darius Brubeck recalls thinking that Desmond was his uncle almost into adolescence. 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]. 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. Other of his compositions such as Audrey, Desmond Blue, and Wendy are often visited by jazz musicians. 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. Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. Soundtrack: Rushmore. He began by playing clarinet in high school and was tutored in music theory by his father, a theater organist and arranger. He met Brubeck in the late '40s and played with his Octet. View popular celebrities life details, birth signs and real ages. 156-157. Desmond also played with guitarist Jim Hall in New York City in 1971, and with Canadian guitarist Ed Bickert in Toronto. He took whatever work he could get as a player. Jazz at Oberlin , Fantasy, 1953. "Okay, set up the chess board." He was one of the most popular musicians to come out of the West Coast's . 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. It included dates with Gerry Mulligan for Verve, various sessions with Jim Hall, and a concert with the the Modern Jazz Quartet. 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. Corrections? In one Down Beat review he was described as "oftimes loud and pounding and seemingly at a loss for melodic ideas." All rights reserved. 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. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. 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. Was he just a minor figure in a jazz landscape of greats? 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