Paul’s Mellifluous Alto
One of my favourite pastimes is listening to jazz, a genre that doesn’t appeal to most people as their experience of it is limited to blaring trumpets and trombones.
Paul Desmond was noted for his ability to play melodies in a gentle pure tone that in his own words “sound like a dry martini”. He was famous as the alto sax player in the Dave Brubeck Quartet and his most famous creation was the best selling jazz record of all time ‘Take Five’. It was the first instrumental number to sell a million copies. With his suit and tie, receding hairline and horn rimmed glasses Desmond looked more like a bank manager than a late night jazz man. He had a sophisticated wit, was widely read and was probably the most literate jazz musician ever. He was a heavy smoker who liked his scotch and was very popular with the ladies.
In my opinion he was the greatest alto sax player ever to blow the instrument, a view also shared by many experts in the business.
He was born Paul Breitenfeld in San Francisco on the 25th November 1924 and changed his name to Desmond when he was 21. At college he first studied clarinet before taking up the alto saxophone. Paul first played with Brubeck in 1948 and stayed with the quartet until 1967, when he unofficially retired. The quartet had a popularity that no jazz group has equalled since.
Desmond didn’t play again for 3 years and he was supposedly writing the memoirs of his days on the road with the Brubeck Quartet. This was to be titled ‘How Many Of You Are There In The Quartet’ as that was the question airline stewardesses often asked. Sadly the book never got written.
Eventually he was coaxed out of retirement and formed a quartet with guitarist Jim Hall. During this period he created some of his best work, one example being the jazz version of the classical piece ‘Concierto de Aranjuez’ by Joaquin Rodrigo. Paul also played on sessions with trumpeter Chet Baker and baritone sax player Gerry Mulligan.
Desmond had an infatuation with actress Audrey Hepburn and even though the pair never met he composed the tune ‘Audrey’ which the star’s husband said she played every night before going to bed. She also requested it be played at her funeral. Paul died from lung cancer aged 52 on 30th May 1977.
Here’s another classic from Paul, ‘For All We know’, recorded in 1972 on one of his many re-unions with Brubeck.
Not an artist I have heard of, Bill, but I do listen to The Fairer Sax quite a lot so can understand your appreciation of the music.
Enjoy the journey.
Mandy
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Hi Bill
I hope that all is well with you.
I have never really been a fan of Jazz; I just never quite got it. However, you write with such passion for the subject, that your love of Jazz just shines through. So, in future when I hear it, I will try to really listen with your ears and appreciate it more.
p.s I listened to Audrey, it was beautiful. I tried to listen to For All We Know however; it appears that the video has been removed.
Best, Theresa
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I’m with Theresa on this, I’ve never really understood Jazz? But I know there must be a lot to it, because Jazz fans are usually like you Bill – really enthusiastic.
I wouldn’t discount making money out of Jazz, I don’t know how at the moment, but I’m sure it would be possible with enough knowledge.
Keep at it Bill, it all gets easier the longer we stay with it.
John
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Thank you for opening my musical horizon. I listened to the 2 links you posted with great joy. Like others commented my jazz knowledge isn’t very good, but I could really start to appreciate it more if I got to know more artists like the ones you introduced.
Thank you!
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Thanks for sharing
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