The book never appeared. For example, many of his acquaintances never knew that hed been previously married. Desmond's melodic solos were in marked contrast to the polytonal rhythms of Brubeck, but somehow they clicked and drove each other to greatness. Died : May 30, 1977 in New York City, New York. These illustrations made him a major influence on the image of urban males in twentieth-century America. He was known for being a Saxophonist. 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. Some people called him the stork'Cause he would stand on one leg and leaned on the piano. They were greeted with enthusiasm wherever they played until the deteriorating eyesight of drummer Joe Morello cut short the tour. 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. The success of the quartet led to a Time magazine piece on them in 1954, with the famous cover featuring Brubeck's face. | 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. Jazz Goes to College , Columbia, 1954. the addition of alto saxophonist Paul Desmond. 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. Then it was a logical move to alto saxophone. Desmond appeared only half a dozen times with his "Canadian Quartet" Ed Bickert on guitar, Don Thompson on bass, and Jerry Fuller on drums. 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. Hall played on several albums recorded by Desmond between 1959 and 1963 for Warner Bros. and RCA Victor. Theory He stood in silent vigil at Desmond's bedside. Paul Desmond - Biography. Desmond began to study the clarinet at the age of twelve, which he continued while at San Francisco Polytechnic High School. [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. [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. (1924 - 1977) Paul Desmond had a sound on alto saxophone that remains highly recognizable. He was a member of the Dave Brubeck Quartet and composed that group's biggest hit, "Take Five". - Paul Desmond. His mother had some psychological issues such that Paul was sent off to live with relatives from elementary school age until his late teens. There were also two albums with a Desmond/Gerry Mulligan quartet. The harmony was always right, the melodies were always right. "I have won several prizes as the world's slowest alto player, as well as a special award in 1961 for quietness." He took whatever work he could get as a player. That RCA deal called for two albums a year and led to an incredible series of recording dates with guitarist Jim Hall, and the Modern Jazz Quartet drummer Connie Kay. This page is updated often with new details about Paul Desmond. " 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." 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 Quartet formed toward the end of 1950 and took final shape with Eugene Wright and Joe Morello a few years later. 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. Live recordings of that concert and club dates with Bickert performed during 1974-1975 were released during and after Desmond's lifetime. Born : November 25, 1924 in San Francisco, California. He learned to play the alto saxophone during his first year at San Francisco State College. Is portrayed by John Timothy Burton in Crazy (2008). Our weekly newsletter highlights our top stories, our special offers, and upcoming jazz events near you. 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. Desmond was a guest artist on five tracks by Chet Baker recorded between 1975 and 1977. This planet represents abundance, prosperity and the principle of expansion. He frequently played in Toronto, Canada, leading a quartet that included guitarist Ed Bickert, bassist Don Thompson, and drummer Jerry Fuller. Desmond also played with guitarist Jim Hall in New York City in 1971, and with Canadian guitarist Ed Bickert in Toronto. Paul Desmond was a legendary American jazz alto saxophonist and composer. He was one of the most popular musicians to come out of the West Coast's . Basically, Paul was a clarinet player for many years, but he started playing alto after high school and more during the time he was in the Army band at the Presidio in San Francisco. Other articles where Paul Desmond is discussed: Dave Brubeck: the addition of alto saxophonist Paul Desmond. "[1], Desmond was married from 1947 to 1949 to Duane Reeves Lamon. 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 His many fans didn't know that he was dying, and incapable of the level of playing that he was famous for. - Dave Brubeck. Looking up, he searched his memory, trying to make sense of the image looming before him. Jazz at Oberlin , Fantasy, 1953. | The strengths of this sign are being generous, idealistic, sense of humor, while weaknesses can be to promise more than can deliver, impatient and say anything no matter how undiplomatic. Articles We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. He is a profoundly beautiful player." Paul Desmonds birth sign is Sagittarius and he had a ruling planet of Jupiter. Pauls education details are not available at this time. Most readers likely are familiar with that musical combination and recordings. Large format (10x11"), hard bound with dust jacket, 372 pages, 190 photos, matte paper; complete with discography of all Desmond recordings. 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. One of the greats, Charlie Parker, named him as his favourite alto player. 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. At first glance, his seems a small, perhaps insignificant, career. "Take Five" is a jazz standard composed by Paul Desmond. Desmond's improvisation is praised for its logical structure and lyricism. 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. Their uncanny rapport and ability to interact kept the music exciting and fresh. Alto Saxophonist, Composer. 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. 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. Paul Desmond is known for A Civil Action (1998), Legends of the Fall (1994) and Glory (1989). } , money, salary, income, and assets. I read that the electronic version is available for around $15. Brubeck managed to keep both Desmond and Morello in the group but with frictions between them for years. 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. Influenced by Lester Young and Pete Brown he originally played clarinet in the big bands of Jack Fina and Alvino Rey. Born: November 25, 1924Died: May 30, 1977. Desmond played his loping, slow, ordered, and intricate solos in direct contrast to the pianist's obsession with large chords, creating a myriad of textures for melodic and rhythmic counterpoint unlike any heard in jazz. Tell us why you would like to improve the Paul Desmond musician page. 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. Though various critics credited the success of the Dave Brubeck Quartet to Desmond's horn, others over-looked his playing as "too pretty". His ambition, he said, was to sound like a dry martini. 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. We recommend you to check the complete list of Famous People born on 25 November. 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 "Doug Ramsey's Take Five is an invaluable addition to jazz literatureby an especially enduring writer on the music. 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. [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. I knew Paul Desmond, but I found so much more I did not know."Nat Hentoff, author of American . We will update Paul Desmond's Height, weight, Body Measurements, Eye Color, Hair Color, Shoe & Dress size soon as possible. Desmonds childhood was problematic as his parents had a somewhat unhealthy relationship. Desmond worked several times during his career with baritone saxophonist and band leader Gerry Mulligan. [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). 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. 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. According to our Database, He has no children. After some time spent inactive, Desmond was asked to play the Half Note in New York City in 1971 by Hall. 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. 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. Interested? 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. Some found Brubeck's playing heavy-handed. In their 'Take The A Train' performance in Hanover, Germany in 1958, for example, Desmond's playing sounded lack-luster and uninterested. 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]. Darius Brubeck recalls thinking that Desmond was his uncle almost into adolescence. Dave Brubeck(PBS interview with Hedrick Smith)[6]. After years of chain smoking and poor health, Desmond succumbed to lung cancer in 1977 after a tour with Brubeck. The group also appeared on CBC-TV's Take 30, and were recorded at the Edmonton Jazz Festival. Played with the Dave Brubeck Quartet from 1951 until 1967. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). This generation experienced much of their youth during the Great Depression and rapid technological innovation such as the radio and the telephone. In 1954, the quartet was featured on Time Magazine. Desmond officially started work with the Dave Brubeck Trio (now Quartet with the inclusion of Desmond) in 1951. Desmond's recordings for RCA have gotten box-set treatment and Mosaic issued one of the complete sessions with Hall. Yet with different musical aspiration and taste, their relationship was full of tension. This is the way the world ends, not with a whim but a banker." This is a jazz music websitespammers will be deleted. During Morello's first performance with the group, he was featured by Brubeck and received an ovation from the audience for his solo. Privacy Policy | We do not sell or share your personal information | 2023 All About Jazz & Jazz Near You . After World War II, Desmond started working in the San Francisco Bay Area, working as a backing musician. He was known to have several addictions, including Dewar's Scotch whisky and Pall Mall cigarettes. Dr. F. Norman Vickers is a founder of the Jazz Society of Pensacola/Pensacola Jazzfest and a charter member of the Jazz Journalists Association. Desmond began sitting in with the trio and with Brubecks experimental octet at Mills. And, in fact, he was a prolific correspondent, carrying his Olivetti portable typewriter with him even on his foreign trips. 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. But that that was when he was playing great. We don't have much information about He's past relationship and any previous engaged. The decade was one of learning and exploration. - Ben Ratliff, The New York Times"Every jazz musician should be lucky enough to get a biography as thoroughly researched and luxuriously produced." In Concert at Town Hall (with the Modern Jazz Quartet), DRG, 1971. His fans were unaware of his rapidly declining health. Please check back soon for updates. He was 43 years old, and he didn't play his horn again for three years. In that capacity, he interviewed comedian Bob Hope for his school newspaper during one of Hope's visits to San Francisco. - Paul deBarros, Seattle Times"Rarely in the annals of jazz biography has a subject's career been documented so thoroughly a monumental work." Doug Ramsey. He worked in dance bands and dixieland groups, entertained in amusement parks and resorts. 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. Pristine, perfect. He is from USA. The Complete Recordings of the Paul Desmond Quartet with Jim Hall (1959-65) , Mosaic, 1988. And the thing that makes "Take Five" work is the bridge, which we almost didn't use. JazzStandards.com - All Rights Reserved The Breitenfeld family in Bohemia and Vienna featured musicians in every generation throughout the 1800s, 1900s, and to the present day. Paul Desmond was born in 1920s. Generation. He blew on a couple of albums with his old friend Chet Baker. The quintessential cool jazz saxophonist, an alto with a shimmering sound and light, airy playing exemplified by his self-written "Take Five. 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. 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. Wild, subtle, delicate. He died on 30 May 1977 in New York City, New York, USA. Copyright 2005-2022 - JazzStandards.com Search I was ready to trade the entire rights, lifetime-wise of "Take Five" for a used Ronson electric razor. For seventeen years he was the lead soloist in the most commercially successful jazz combo ever, the Dave Brubeck Quartet. 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. And we didn't go back on. "Okay, set up the chess board." Despite his many friends, Gene Lees wrote that Desmond was the "loneliest man" he ever knew. 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]. Dave Brubeck. 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. In June 1969 Desmond appeared at the New Orleans Jazz Festival with Gerry Mulligan, with favorable reactions from critics and audience members. Twenty years after his death from cancer, his music still sells, is still played, and still moves people. People born under this sign are clever and charming. Desmond also joined the Modern Jazz Quartet for a Christmas concert in 1971 at the New York Town Hall.[4]. In one Down Beat review he was described as "oftimes loud and pounding and seemingly at a loss for melodic ideas." 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. Discover Paul Desmond's Biography, Age, Height, Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, Family and career updates. His father suggested that he switch from violin to clarinet. 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. It was a sound that made him a favourite with critics and fans alike, and won him jazz poll after jazz poll. Extensive biography of jazz saxophonist Paul Desmond, one of the major jazz figures of all time, written by noted jazz critic Doug Ramsey. Sign up with your email address to receive Brubeck news and updates. It became the theme for the Quartet, de rigueur at all their concert appearances, and it made Desmond a small fortune in royalties. He was an actor and composer, known for Rushmore (1998), Say Anything (1989) and Constantine (2005). He was a modest, retiring man, known to his friends for his wit and charm. Learn How rich is He in this year and how He spends money? Other of his compositions such as Audrey, Desmond Blue, and Wendy are often visited by jazz musicians. 19-45 Published by: Sage Publications, Inc. Born 30 August 1927 in Los Angeles. He was great to play with. The quintessential cool jazz saxophonist, an alto with a shimmering sound and light, airy playing exemplified by his self-written "Take Five." Paul Desmond was born on the 25th of November, 1924. Jazz at the College of the Pacific, Volume 2, Anything Goes! Updates? 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. Eventually they became friends, but Desmond could often be found backstage, reading a book during Morello's extended drum solo on "Take Five". 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 their later years they reconciled and became close friends.[9]. Desmond had a falling out with Brubeck when he resigned from the Band Box and prevented Brubeck from taking over the residency. In the 1940s and 1950s, Desmond frequently took amphetamines, and in the 1970s, he was known to use cocaine. The book has been out of print for several years and I obtained my copy through interlibrary loan.
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