People born under this sign are clever and charming. Reset your passwordClick the eye to show your password. 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. Discover what happened on this day. In 1959, Desmond penned the first million-seller, jazz single, "Take Five". 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. Who are the richest people in the world? Sign up with your email address to receive Brubeck news and updates. In their later years they reconciled and became close friends.[9]. His ambition, he said, was to sound like a dry martini. Paul Emil Breitenfeld was born on November 25, 1924 in San Francisco, California. He stood in silent vigil at Desmond's bedside. 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. 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 All About Jazz musician pages are maintained by musicians, publicists and trusted members like you. - Dave Brubeck. I read that the electronic version is available for around $15. This planet represents abundance, prosperity and the principle of expansion. Ill be dead., Copyright 2005-2020 - 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. Perhaps it was their uncanny ability to play counterpoint that endeared them to their fans and to each other. Paul Desmond - IMDb He had a reputation as a lady's man, and was often seen accompanied by gorgeous models. Eventually they became friends, but Desmond could often be found backstage, reading a book during Morello's extended drum solo on "Take Five". He had spoken to Don Thompson earlier that month, making plans to play New York with his quartet, but he never made it. Desmond was torn for a time between a career as a writer and one as a musician. After Morello's complex rhythm, Desmond would play even quieter and even dropped for a few bars. Genres: Cool Jazz, Jazz, Bossa nova. Played with the Dave Brubeck Quartet from 1951 until 1967. Paul Desmond was born on 25 November 1924 in San Francisco, California, USA. 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. 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. Biography in: "American National Biography". JazzStandards.com - All Rights Reserved The closest he came was one hilarious chapter that appeared in the British humour magazine, Punch. Born in San Francisco in 1924, Desmond was one of the leading proponents of the West Coast "cool" style. The book never appeared. Take Five: The Public and Private Lives of Paul Desmond Later married Willis Dean Kaye (died 1986); they had one child, Christopher (1956-2014). Desmond spent the remainder of his life playing with many different artists and composers. 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. Buy. the addition of alto saxophonist Paul Desmond. The co-author of that enduring hit, "Take Five," was the band's alto sax player, Paul Desmond, who is now the subject of a lavish, beautifully produced, large-format biography by Doug Ramsey called Take Five (Parkside Publications, $44.95). , money, salary, income, and assets. Born in San Francisco in 1924, Desmond was one of the leading proponents of the West Coast "cool" style. Their uncanny rapport and ability to interact kept the music exciting and fresh. | In Concert at Town Hall (with the Modern Jazz Quartet), DRG, 1971. 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. In his playing Desmond was also notable for his ability to produce extremely high notes, the altissimo register, on his saxophone. She died in 2013. Doug Ramsey. Learn How rich is He in this year and how He spends money? Though he never abandoned his gift for writing, music won, and he concentrated on clarinet, then the saxophone. Paul Desmonds birth sign is Sagittarius and he had a ruling planet of Jupiter. The Dave Brubeck Quartet played until 1967, when Brubeck switched his musical focus from performance to composition and dissolved the group. 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. Paul Desmond (Breitenfeld) (1924 - 1977) - Genealogy Wild, subtle, delicate. 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 Privacy Policy | We do not sell or share your personal information | 2023 All About Jazz & Jazz Near You . Jazz Goes to College , Columbia, 1954. 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. The Dave Brubeck Quartet 25th Anniversary Reunion , A&M, 1976. 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. 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. --publisher. Inducted into the Big Band and Jazz Hall of Fame in 1991. Desmond officially started work with the Dave Brubeck Trio (now Quartet with the inclusion of Desmond) in 1951. 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. [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. 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. 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. "I have won several prizes as the world's slowest alto player, as well as a special award in 1961 for quietness." Influenced by Lester Young and Pete Brown he originally played clarinet in the big bands of Jack Fina and Alvino Rey. He began by playing clarinet in high school and was tutored in music theory by his father, a theater organist and arranger. a question invariably asked by airline stewardesses. 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]. He took whatever work he could get as a player. Accompanying them were Brubeck's sons Chris Brubeck, Dan Brubeck and Darius Brubeck. 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. Supplement 1, pp. In their private lives Dave Brubeck and his family were very close to Paul Desmond, though the two men possessed very different personalities. Born: November 25, 1924Died: May 30, 1977. He was an actor and composer, known for Rushmore (1998), Say Anything (1989) and Constantine (2005). His friends called him "the perennial bachelor" few knew that he had been married early in life. Desmond had a falling out with Brubeck when he resigned from the Band Box and prevented Brubeck from taking over the residency. He fronted a quartet featuring guitarist Jim Hall for two weeks at the "Half Note" in New York City, and broke their attendance record. Born : November 25, 1924 in San Francisco, California. He was one of the most popular musicians to come out of the cool jazz scene. The quintessential cool jazz saxophonist, an alto with a shimmering sound and light, airy playing exemplified by his self-written "Take Five." 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." He was 43 years old, and he didn't play his horn again for three years. Then it was a logical move to alto saxophone. We don't have much information about He's past relationship and any previous engaged. { 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. He began by playing clarinet in high school and was tutored in music theory by his father, a theater organist and arranger. Paul Desmond | | Discogs He is a profoundly beautiful player." After Desmond died, the editor of Parkside Publications sought out Ramsey and persuaded him to write the book. 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. 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. When pushed musically he rose to the occasion, turning out chorus after brilliant chorus. A short, witty piece entitled How Jazz Came to Orange County Fair was published in. 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. Desmond first met pianist Dave Brubeck while both were in the Army, and in 1947 they connected again. Fact Check: We strive for accuracy and fairness. Alto Saxophonist, Composer. 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). Desmond resented this, and threatened to leave the group. Our weekly newsletter highlights our top stories, our special offers, and upcoming jazz events near you. Better Than A Dry Martini 1" // "How Long, Baby How Long, Pt. Despite his many friends, Gene Lees wrote that Desmond was the "loneliest man" he ever knew. Certainly this can apply to Doug Ramseys elegant 2005 biography of saxophonist Paul Desmond (1924-1977). There are several photos of Desmond in Europe carrying the portable typewriter case. He first collaborated with Gerry Mulligan, with whom he shared stage in 1969 and in 1974, the former being for the New Orleans Jazz Festival. 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. Hall played on several albums recorded by Desmond between 1959 and 1963 for Warner Bros. and RCA Victor. The Public and Private Lives of Paul Desmond - Parkside Publications He is primarily known for his paintings, drawings and sketches of horses and equestrian sports. [10], Desmond had a celebrated studio partnership with guitarist Jim Hall. Finally it clicked the hooded harvester from Ingmar Bergman's The Seventh Seal. Within several months they attained a measure of national fame, largely by word of mouth among West Coast critics who championed the groups innovations. - Downbeat Magazine, July, 2005an invaluable addition to jazz literature. Desmond specified in his will that all proceeds from "Take Five" would go to the Red Cross following his death. When drummer Joe Morello joined the Quartet in 1956, Desmond disliked his crowd-pleasing performances so much that he threatened to quit the Quartet. Paul Desmond - Bio, Personal Life, Family & Cause Of Death - CelebsAges Please check back soon for updates. It was first recorded in 1959 and is the third track on Time Out by the Dave Brubeck Quartet. And, in fact, he was a prolific correspondent, carrying his Olivetti portable typewriter with him even on his foreign trips. 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. 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. Paul Desmond died on May 30, 1977 due to lung cancer. His last concert was with Brubeck in February 1977, in New York City. He was known to have several addictions, including Dewar's Scotch whisky and Pall Mall cigarettes. is military terminology referring to "Government Issue" or "General Issue". Take Five: The Public and Private Lives of Paul Desmond - Kindle The harmony was always right, the melodies were always right. 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. Desmond's recordings for RCA have gotten box-set treatment and Mosaic issued one of the complete sessions with Hall. The quintessential cool jazz saxophonist, an alto with a shimmering sound and light, airy playing exemplified by his self-written "Take Five. Desmond offered to perform arranging and administrative work for Brubeck's band, and to babysit Brubeck's children, and Brubeck finally relented and agreed to try working with Desmond again.[4]. 23, No. 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. The economic boom and the Jazz Age were over, and America began the period called the Great Depression. The Quartet was extremely successful for their Time Series, which was a series of five albums that featured songs in irregular, unusual time signatures such as 5/4 and 9/8. According to our Database, He has no children. Like many famous people and celebrities, Paul Desmond kept his personal life private. Dr. F. Norman Vickers is a founder of the Jazz Society of Pensacola/Pensacola Jazzfest and a charter member of the Jazz Journalists Association. It was really easy to play." Dave Brubeck and Paul Desmond, October 8, 1954. In 1951 Desmond joined what was to become one of the most famous groups in jazz, the Dave Brubeck Quartet. [4][7] That is how the Dave Brubeck Quartet had its start, a group that began in 1951 and ended in December 1967. 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. After this long and expensive process, Desmond willed the piano to Cunningham, a characteristic and final prank. Looking up, he searched his memory, trying to make sense of the image looming before him. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with that. Also during this time, Brubeck became one of the first jazz musicians to regularly tour and conduct seminars at. It became the theme for the Quartet, de rigueur at all their concert appearances, and it made Desmond a small fortune in royalties. For several weeks, he led a small jazz combo at the Band Box in Redwood City that included Dave Brubeck. Paul Desmond is known for A Civil Action (1998), Legends of the Fall (1994) and Glory (1989). | Born : November 25, 1924 in San Francisco, California. Influenced by Lester Young and Pete Brown he originally played clarinet in the big bands of Jack Fina and Alvino Rey. Was he just a minor figure in a jazz landscape of greats? I have won several prizes as the world's slowest alto player, as well as a special award in 1961 for quietness. At that time, he began playing the alto saxophone, after being influenced by the likes of Lester Young and Charlie Parker. When the Quartet split in 1967, Desmond began an intermittent yet satisfying recording career. Paul Desmond was a legendary American jazz alto saxophonist and composer. Paul Desmond's net worth Chinese Zodiac: Paul Desmond was born in the Year of the Rabbit. He served a three-year term in the United States Army. He was a member of the Dave Brubeck Quartet and composed that group's biggest hit, "Take Five". 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 is from USA. If you see something that doesnt look right, contact us. Desmond's melodic solos were in marked contrast to the polytonal rhythms of Brubeck, but somehow they clicked and drove each other to greatness. The Paul Desmond Papers are held at the Holt-Atherton Special Collections in the University of the Pacific Library. National Public Radio - Paul Desmond: 'The Sound of a Dry Martini', Public Broadcasting Service - Biography of Paul Desmond. View popular celebrities life details, birth signs and real ages. Real Name: Paul Emil Breitenfeld Profile: American jazz alto saxophonist and composer (Composed "Take Five" for the Dave Brubeck Quartet). 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. This is the way the world ends, not with a whim but a banker." Take Five: The Public and Private Lives of Paul Desmond | 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 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. Also during this time, Brubeck became one of the first jazz musicians to regularly tour and conduct seminars at - Don Thompson. He learned to play the alto saxophone during his first year at San Francisco State College. In June 1969 Desmond appeared at the New Orleans Jazz Festival with Gerry Mulligan, with favorable reactions from critics and audience members. "[1], Desmond was married from 1947 to 1949 to Duane Reeves Lamon. 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 Although this book is out of print, there are occasionally copies available in the used book ads, some priced at $100 or more. - Ben Ratliff, The New York Times"Every jazz musician should be lucky enough to get a biography as thoroughly researched and luxuriously produced." There are also reissues from A&M and CTI, though recordings on Artist House and Finesse remain regrettably out of print. When is Paul Desmonds birthday? The book details how Desmond was an only child whose father was a musician-composer in the San Francisco area. He frequently played in Toronto, Canada, leading a quartet that included guitarist Ed Bickert, bassist Don Thompson, and drummer Jerry Fuller. Read Full Biography. Desmond featured Bickert on his 1975 studio album Pure Desmond, and the two played together at the 1976 Edmonton Jazz Festival. 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. 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]. Baker and Desmond also appeared together on two tracks included on Jim Hall's 1975 Concierto album. [4] During Brubeck's Two Generations tours, Desmond and Mulligan shared the stage in 1974. 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. Paul Desmond | Discography | Discogs He is also well-known for his over three decades of illustrations for Brooks Brothers catalogs including more than one-thousand drawings. "image": "https://s3.amazonaws.com/allaboutjazz/photos/profile/musician/Paul-Desmond-200-2017.jpg", "Doug Ramsey's Take Five is an invaluable addition to jazz literatureby an especially enduring writer on the music. Fortunately Don Thompson also doubles as a recording engineer, and a number of the club dates were recorded and released. 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. Permission & contact 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." Brubeck was studying at Mills College and playing nights with a trio in San Francisco. 1924 Paul Desmond was born on November 25, 1924 in San Francisco, California, USA as Paul Emil Breitenfeld. 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. Paul Desmond was born in San Francisco. During Morello's first performance with the group, he was featured by Brubeck and received an ovation from the audience for his solo. He spent three years in the military, but his unit was not called to combat. He blew on a couple of albums with his old friend Chet Baker. After meeting and playing together in the late 40s, they formed the Dave Brubeck Quartet in 1951 and never looked back. Though a mild-mannered, professorial-looking man, Desmond was capable of strong emotion. Paul Desmond (Paul Emil Breitenfeld) was born on 25 November, 1924 in San Francisco, California, USA, is a Soundtrack, Music Department. Paul Desmond: The Complete 1975 Toronto Recordings (Mosaic)