I think tone has as much to do with personality as embouchure. I didn't intend to sound like Paul, but I liked that I did. I've always been laid back and my tone, as well as the improvisational ideas I come up with, reflect that. Oddly enough, on Bari, my personality is different and I'm more of a bopper than cool school. Go figure.
I hear that Paul Desmond, even that he was mainly a Jazz Saxophonist, he always had a semiclassical sound. Is that true? I love his sound and he was my main isnpiration to learn saxophone as a child.
@luisitosax His first wind instrument was the clarinet, which as you know requires a firmer, more rigid embouchure. That probably determined to some extent his approach to the alto. There is a "proper" tone for classical saxophone, but by the time Desmond got really good on alto he was not using it, fortunately, and never did thereafter. He was an original in every respect, including tone, which no one to my ears has ever replicated.
@luisitosax If you really want to learn as much as possible about what made Desmond the unique genius that he was, I strongly recommend the "Take Five" biography by Doug Ramsey, who knew Paul for many years. It is packed full of fascinating details of Desmond's life.
@luisitosax Paul was the anti-Bird, just as Prez was the anti-Hawk...his laid back lagging approach, behind the beat sound, vibrato-less alto was the opposite of Johnny Hodges, Bird, and the rest...totally unique...I read somewhere that he stated he was trying to emulate a "dry martini" on alto!!! I think he accomplished this pretty well, don't you?
@luisitosax Do you have the duet album he did with Gerry Mulligan from 1958 I think? "Blues in Time"...an early breakaway attempt from Brubeck, I've never heard Paul play better (when you are familiar with an artist's music, you feel that you know them and are free to call them by their first names!)...his playing sounds as fresh and alive today as it did when he played it at that midnight session 53 years ago...truly timeless...
The version is really great and the photo at 2.50 is really great too...And it's so nice to see them all smiling at 6.00-6.45 and again 7.40 - the end is wonderful...Bliss!
Wow! What a sound! There is enough melody to keep me interested yet a warm wind blows in and out creatively.
stevesedberry 3 months ago
Wow! What a sound!
stevesedberry 3 months ago
I think tone has as much to do with personality as embouchure. I didn't intend to sound like Paul, but I liked that I did. I've always been laid back and my tone, as well as the improvisational ideas I come up with, reflect that. Oddly enough, on Bari, my personality is different and I'm more of a bopper than cool school. Go figure.
Saxman1219 7 months ago in playlist Paul Desmond
bfizzledizzle, the drummers use brushes, which they drag across the drum head to get that effect, as opposed to striking the head.
Saxman1219 7 months ago in playlist Paul Desmond
How do jazz drummers make that sort of rolling sound on the snare?
bfizzledizzle 8 months ago
This is my favourite jazz tune! :D
samirhossain 8 months ago
MMMMMMMMMUUUUUUUUUUAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
Mi piaci tu sempre e solo TU neint altro sempre e solo TU!
giottorisotto 1 year ago
I hear that Paul Desmond, even that he was mainly a Jazz Saxophonist, he always had a semiclassical sound. Is that true? I love his sound and he was my main isnpiration to learn saxophone as a child.
luisitosax 1 year ago
@luisitosax His first wind instrument was the clarinet, which as you know requires a firmer, more rigid embouchure. That probably determined to some extent his approach to the alto. There is a "proper" tone for classical saxophone, but by the time Desmond got really good on alto he was not using it, fortunately, and never did thereafter. He was an original in every respect, including tone, which no one to my ears has ever replicated.
kocn53 1 year ago 2
@kocn53 Thanks so much for your input! I also think that Desmond is unique.
luisitosax 1 year ago
@luisitosax If you really want to learn as much as possible about what made Desmond the unique genius that he was, I strongly recommend the "Take Five" biography by Doug Ramsey, who knew Paul for many years. It is packed full of fascinating details of Desmond's life.
kocn53 1 year ago
@kocn53 Thanks. I really want to learn. Me , as saxophonist aleways am avid to copy from masters. Where can I get this material?
luisitosax 1 year ago
@luisitosax Paul was the anti-Bird, just as Prez was the anti-Hawk...his laid back lagging approach, behind the beat sound, vibrato-less alto was the opposite of Johnny Hodges, Bird, and the rest...totally unique...I read somewhere that he stated he was trying to emulate a "dry martini" on alto!!! I think he accomplished this pretty well, don't you?
1948BigCy 11 months ago
@1948BigCy Sure I think he did it, maybe Lee Konitz is close to Paul´s sound.
luisitosax 11 months ago
@luisitosax Do you have the duet album he did with Gerry Mulligan from 1958 I think? "Blues in Time"...an early breakaway attempt from Brubeck, I've never heard Paul play better (when you are familiar with an artist's music, you feel that you know them and are free to call them by their first names!)...his playing sounds as fresh and alive today as it did when he played it at that midnight session 53 years ago...truly timeless...
1948BigCy 11 months ago
best version!
zephyrsimon 1 year ago
Comment removed
zephyrsimon 1 year ago
Bellooo!!
anitadavideduo 1 year ago
The version is really great and the photo at 2.50 is really great too...And it's so nice to see them all smiling at 6.00-6.45 and again 7.40 - the end is wonderful...Bliss!
da19lila38 2 years ago
This great version was unknown to me - does not happen very often when it comes to Brubeck and/or Desmond.
Yet again, many thanks Frank for uploading this !!
jasjjb 2 years ago