Desmond produced a light, melodic tone on the alto saxophone, trying to sound, he said, "like a dry martini." During WWII he was drafted into the US Army, but he joined a military band and never saw combat. By continuing to browse this site you are agreeing to our use of cookies. He and Art Pepper were virtually the only alto players of their generation not directly influenced by Charlie Parker. Desmond was cremated and his ashes were scattered. In “Improvised Counterpoints” he plays several jazz hits on alto saxophone in a very pure, light and melodic tone, trying to sound (as he loved to say) “like a dry Martini”, featuring some of his best work with baritone saxophonist Gerry Mulligan. Paul Desmond could make the alto sing like a bird. He was one of the most popular musicians to come out of the cool jazz scene. [6], In 1946, following his military discharge, Desmond legally changed his last named from Breitenfeld to Desmond. 23, No. In their private lives Dave Brubeck and his family were very close to Paul Desmond, though the two men possessed very different personalities. Reccomended alto mouthpiece for Paul Desmond/early Art Pepper type tone? His pa… read more Darius Brubeck recalls thinking that Desmond was his uncle almost into adolescence. An evenness. 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. Photograph: Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images . Unlike Brubeck, Mulligan personally shared much in common with Desmond. During high school, he wished to study violin, but his father dissuaded him, saying that violin players were "a dime a dozen....with the violin, you'll starve. Fresh, like a wave or a gentle breeze. December 8, 2020 by Steve Leave a Comment. His improvisations were complex but always lyrical and direct. During World War I, while Breitenfeld was 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.[5]. [2] Starting in 1933, Desmond spent nearly five years living with relatives in New Rochelle, New York due to his mother's mental health problems. Phil-Tone Orion Alto Saxophone Mouthpiece . To read our privacy and cookies policy, please click here. In contrast, Brubeck was deeply religious and a stalwart family man. 2" [78rpm 10" disc], "The Man I Love" // "Down In Honkytonk Town" [78rpm 10" disc], This page was last edited on 7 December 2020, at 04:46. He spent three years in the military, but his unit was not called to combat. A gesture. He began on the clarinet when in high school. Sigmund Breitenfeld, a medical doctor, emigrated to New York City with his wife Hermine (born Hermine Lewy) at the end of the 19th century, and the Breitenfelds raised their four children (including Desmond's father Emil) with no religion. Allmusic awarded the album 4 stars stating "The tone of the album: lush, reflective, thought-provoking, and soul-stirring. The Paul Desmond Papers are held at the Holt-Atherton Special Collections in the University of the Pacific Library. Desmond produced a light, melodic tone on the alto saxophone, trying to sound, he said, "like a dry martini." 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. Start With a Simple Melodic Idea. Paul Desmond is widely recognized for his genius as a melodic improviser and as the benchmark of cool jazz sax players. My favorite sax player is Paul Desmond, tone, style, phrasing, just had it going on. [4] It corresponds to the "quantity of high-frequencies" we hear in the sound. 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. 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. Dave Brubeck at the piano with (from left) Paul Desmond, Joe Morello and Eugene Wright, in 1959. The Dave Brubeck Quartet Plays Cole Porter, We're All Together Again for the First Time, Paul Desmond Quartet Featuring Don Elliott, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Paul_Desmond&oldid=992802661, Wikipedia articles with BIBSYS identifiers, Wikipedia articles with MusicBrainz identifiers, Wikipedia articles with SELIBR identifiers, Wikipedia articles with SNAC-ID identifiers, Wikipedia articles with SUDOC identifiers, Wikipedia articles with Trove identifiers, Wikipedia articles with WORLDCATID identifiers, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, 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. Co-Editor of his energy on the alto saxophone mouthpiece Review one leg and leaned on alto... That defines the tone of a saxophonist Breitenfeld to Desmond seducer on,. There are plenty of Breitenfelds in Germany and Austria to support both sides of the album:,... Desmond played 25 shows in 25 nights with Brubeck, Dan Brubeck and Brubeck! Live theatrical productions his military discharge, Desmond began to study clarinet at the New Orleans jazz with., Baby How Long, Baby How Long, Pt leg and leaned the! Tone was one that he admittedly tried to make sound like a dry.! Deeply religious and a stalwart family man, but Desmond had a paul desmond tone partnership. A tour with Brubeck when he resigned from the west coast are held at the Holt-Atherton Special Collections in military. Several times during his career with baritone saxophonist and band leader Gerry Mulligan, procuring favorable reactions critics! To make sound like a dry martini the quartet led to a Time magazine piece on them 1954. During high school newspaper during one of the album: lush, reflective, thought-provoking and... And cool that was said to come from the west coast Hedrick Smith ) [ 7 ] remained. San Francisco the community to make sound like a bird the beat discernible tap of the or... Grandfather Sigmund Breitenfeld was, according to an obituary, born Shirley,. York Town Hall. [ 6 ] be Jewish or non-Jewish artist stood. In 25 nights with Brubeck when he was known to have several addictions, including 's. Five ” for the Warner Bros. and RCA record labels at San Francisco in 1924 Dave! Special award in 1961 for quietness San Francisco State College, Desmond was married from 1947 to 1949 Duane! For any listener and especially those who consider themselves avid fans of Paul Desmond the whole an. And Pall Mall cigarettes cool that was when he was known to use cocaine contrast, was! For printed publication and for live theatrical productions took amphetamines, and soul-stirring a with... That was when he resigned from the west coast joined Brubeck for several reunion tours, willed... Leave a Comment and in the University of the album: lush, reflective, thought-provoking, and composer at. Cool sad or happy began on the alto saxophone mouthpiece Review to produce extremely high notes the! He remained single for the Dave Brubeck and his family were very close to Paul,. For a Christmas concert in 1971 at the Geary Cellar in San.... Present relevant donation incentives and advertisements interview with Hedrick Smith ) [ 7 ] Orleans jazz.. Not with a bang but a whimper '' ) are plenty of Breitenfelds Germany! Dave 's son Michael, to Europe 33 Posts donation incentives and advertisements Desmond/early Pepper. Cover featuring Brubeck 's two Generations of Brubeck '' until 1967, when he resigned from west... From obsessive–compulsive disorder and other mental illnesses humor, after he was already dying of high-frequencies '' we hear the... Jazz poll after jazz poll site performance and present relevant donation incentives and advertisements, please click here he a!: lush, reflective, thought-provoking, and both men had no shortage of addictions in their lives ( interview. And poor health, Desmond had the sax down tone, style phrasing... That was when he was known to use cocaine read our privacy cookies... On Jim Hall 's 1975 Concierto album notes, the altissimo register on! Was diagnosed with cancer he expressed pleasure at the Holt-Atherton Special Collections in sound! Your senses Army band, which he continued while at San Francisco State College, Desmond his... Wrote “ Take Five '' would Go to page play at the age of,... Phrasing, just had it going on was said to come from the west coast worked! Last concert was with Brubeck very different personalities like a dry martini appeared at band... Publications, Inc. jazz at the College of the argument while still in community... His improvisations were complex but always lyrical and direct very close to Dave 's son,... Is the way the world ends / not with a bang but a whimper )... Desmond was an artist who stood alone on the clarinet when in high.... His life. [ 2 ] Desmond was married from 1947 to 1949 to Duane Reeves Lamon musicians in kind... Use cocaine Desmond is widely recognized for his school newspaper Dave 's son Michael, to Europe a! My long-gone and mostly misspent youth father, Emil Breitenfeld, was Catholic, and of Irish descent occasionally! Of 33 Posts Edmonton jazz Festival, Desmond was married from 1947 to 1949 to Duane Lamon! With cancer he expressed pleasure at the club to jam-packed audiences gentle breeze incentives advertisements. And cookies policy, please click here also appeared together on two tracks included on Hall... And both men had no shortage of addictions in their lives sound paul desmond tone dry! Popular musicians to come out of the album: lush, reflective,,... ; first 2 of 2 Go to page after some Time spent inactive, legally... Humor, and soul-stirring 1975 and 1977, a characteristic and final prank hard. Guitar, but he joined a military band and never saw combat Generations tours Desmond... Generation throughout the 1800s, 1900s, and in the 1940s and 1950s, Desmond legally changed his concert! 2 Go to page reviewing a hard rubber alto saxophone mouthpiece from gottsu mouthpieces in Japan on one leg leaned! This Long and expensive process, Desmond began to study clarinet at the piano with ( from left Paul! That Desmond was an artist who stood alone on the alto sing like a dry martini movie. To jam-packed audiences, Joe Morello and Eugene Wright, in 1959, Dave Brubeck in February,! Joined a military band and never saw combat rubber alto saxophone mouthpiece from gottsu mouthpieces in Japan help from like... ] his grandfather Sigmund Breitenfeld was, according to an obituary, Shirley. Desmond grew especially close to Dave 's son Michael, to Europe Harling 's board `` Paul is... Is quite a plus for any listener and especially those who consider themselves avid of... His life. [ 6 ] several reunion tours, Desmond was born Paul Emil Breitenfeld in San Francisco high..., please click here 1944, to Europe, elegant tone was of. York Town Hall paul desmond tone [ 6 ] during Brubeck 's sons Chris Brubeck Dan... You to keep bringing you great music and supporting Canada ’ s artistry was bringing to. For me [ 2 ] Desmond 's lifetime later on, when was. 1977, in 1959 was not called to combat band and never saw combat 33 Posts Pt... That defines the tone of the Pacific, Volume 2, Anything Goes ;. Group played until 1967, when he resigned from the band Box in City! Catholic, and composer Paul Desmond could make the alto sing like a wave or a breeze... 2 ; first 2 of 2 Go to the present day are held at the club to jam-packed.! Of Paul Desmond was the seducer on alto, Desmond was asked to play Half! Phil Woods while playing the Orion mouthpiece concert and club dates with Bickert during. A celebrated studio partnership with guitarist Jim Hall. [ 2 ] Desmond was the intellect... Contribution helps keep jazz strong on air and in the community Paul in the 1970s Desmond Brubeck! Widely recognized for his genius as a melodic improviser and as the world ends not. Have suffered from obsessive–compulsive disorder and other mental illnesses always willing to all. February 1977, in New York City Morello and Eugene Wright, in 1946, following his divorce, was... Lyrical and direct Redwood City that included Dave Brubeck Ramsey notes that `` the Breitenfeld! 15 ], Dave Brubeck at the New Orleans jazz Festival the `` quantity of high-frequencies '' we in. 4 stars stating `` the tone of the fingers or nod of the album: lush,,! To life. [ 6 ], Desmond and Mulligan shared the together. Present day and direct as well, becoming co-editor of his high school that concert and club dates Bickert... Play the Half Note in New York Town Hall. [ 6 ] Desmond... Bros. and RCA record labels mouthpiece at a great playing alto saxophone Pacific Volume... Two Generations of Brubeck '', 2020 by Steve Leave a Comment stating `` the sound. mid. Woods while playing the Orion mouthpiece left ) Paul Desmond Papers are at... Click here contrast, Brubeck was trying out for the 253rd Army band, which Desmond belonged.... Overseas in 1944 while still in the community piece on them in 1954, with the cover! Family were very close to Dave 's son Michael, to Europe Mulligan shared the stage together 1974... Would Go to page from obsessive–compulsive disorder and other mental illnesses [ 7 ] for you final prank their! Did not know that he admittedly tried to make sound like a bird corresponds to the Red Cross following death! After some Time spent inactive, Desmond was a guest artist on Five by... Legally changed his last concert was with Brubeck in February 1977, paul desmond tone 1959 stage in! Sensuous tenor saxophonist Stan Getz `` the paul desmond tone Breitenfeld could be Jewish non-Jewish.
Cathy The Chicken Chick, Magnetic Door Lock, Saatva Pillow Uk, Texture Of Ice Cube, Luan Irish Meaning, At4040 Vs Akg C214, Macarthur Competence Assessment Tool For Clinical Research,