Paul Desmond

Paul Desmond was born Paul Emil Breitenfeld on November 25, 1924 in San Francisco, California. He began playing clarinet at the age of twelve but it was not until he was a freshman at San Francisco State College that he began playing the alto saxophone. He was drafted into the U. S. Army and joined the Army Band while stationed in San Francisco. He served three years in the military.

Desmond first met Dave Brubeck in 1944 while still in the military. Their association in the Dave Brubeck Quartet began in 1951 and ended in 1967. They are best known for their greatest hit "Take Five," a Desmond composition, on the album "Time Out."

In June 1969 Paul appeared at the New Orleans Jazz Festival with Gerry Mulligan and in 1971 he played at the Half Note in New York City with guitarist Jim Hall. In 1976 he reunited with Brubeck to play 25 shows in 25 nights, touring the U.S. by bus.

Paul Desmond died on May 30, 1977 from lung cancer. He had specified in his will that all proceeds from "Take Five" would go to the Red Cross upon his death.

I just finished listening to "Desmond Blue" a 1961 RCA Victor release. Paul is accompanied by a string orchestra arranged and conducted by Bob Prince. Shawn M. Haney of All Music Guide writes "The tone of the album: lush, reflective, thought-provoking, and soul-stirring. This work is quite a plus for any listener and especially those who consider themselves avid fans of Paul Desmond."

The tunes included on this album include "My Funny Valentine," "Desmond Blue," "Then I'll Be Tired of You," "I've Got You Under My Skin," "Late Lament," "I Should Care," "Like Someone in Love," "Ill Wind," and "Body and Soul."


Here's a video of Paul with the Dave Brubeck Quartet playing "Take Five."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=faJE92phKzI