ive listened to this many times.then i thought i would comment.but words fail me.well just to saythe late paul desmond was out of this world.one of my fav songs played by a genius.many thanks.
There's no much more you can do with an alto saxophone than what you see in this incredible archival video. Desmond and the alto are one and the same.
find me a bad song by paul desmond and i'll give you a hundred bucks. such finesse, melody and elegance. i've yet to hear a paul desmond tune that doesn't become my favorite song for a few days :o)
Paul was perhaps the greatest lyrical and melodic player of the saxophone - he didn't just "play" the sax, he "sang" through it! He could lull you to a peaceful sleep on one tune and give you chills on another. Thankfully his talent and artistry can be enjoyed forever.
The Sixties gave us SO much fabulous music. I remember when Paul Desmond hit the radio with Dave Brubeck and everyone went apeshi!. Unreal sounds we'd not heard before. This so evokes SO many wonderful memories of a very innocent time and we really didi not know HOW fortunate we were! Thanks to Saxaphoney who has eloquently described Desmond's artistry!
smoother than diamond morning dew in some jasmine garden, but what else do your expect from Desmond? then put the scenario into the MJF and well you'll never forget. heard Emily prolly 100 times but this interpretation is excelLENTe. I say, stop the show, bring the orchestre out and give'm the award for best of show - now.
Those of us who go south and north from and to Mexico's gold coast know Paul very well. For decades as the sun is going down in the Pacific, with a glass of Pinot Noir, on the fore deck with Paul's music playing is magical!!!!
LOVE THIS SONGGG(: Sorryyy I accidentally hit the dislike button but then I pressed the like button like 10 times after that haha(: Great job with the video!
Thanks saxophoney ! I didn't read all the comments and I'll probably repeat what many others said here. The video is fabulous, Desmond is the man and I only would like to know about the one lonely soul who said he didn't like it !
My only disagreement is about the quotation: wouldn't it be an attempt to quote more completely Tadd Dameron's "If You Could See Me Now" ?
Hi. Thanks for commenting. I've given some thought to your Tadd Dameron suggestion and have listened to “If you Could see me now” and though the short quote sort of sounds close to “If you Could see me now”, re-listening to a clip Youtube of “Would You” from Singing in the Rain, I must stick by my “Would You?” comment (as in “She holds me in her arms, would you? Would you?). If you want to have a bit more fun analyzing this , search YT on “Would You singing in the rain” and you can listen.
Paul made no secret of his adoration, if not actual love, for film legend Audrey Hepburn, and he often said he thought of her while playing. See his composition "Audrey."
My hero since 'Jazz at Oberlin' (my first LP) and seeing The DBQ in Manchester in 1963.Now at 73 I am trying to play.He will always be my inspiration.
Is he human or transported to Earth from another planet or, better yet, straight from heaven? What a tone and what superlative phrasing over one of the prettiest songs ever!! He may be gone from us, but will not be forgotten... Prosit!
Sorry, but Emily is in 3/4. In fact the word "Emily" has 3 syllables which fits very nicely with the 3/4 meter tune. You can sing the lyrics with the first 3 notes Paul plays as he sticks close to the melody for the first 3 bars. He plays two eighth notes (loosely) followed by a half note---Em-i-ly, Em-i-ly, Em-i-ly. Thanks for commenting.
@skinkusmetalicus You are correct. I don't remember who it was, but someone was confused and believed Emily to be in 5/4 time. It is in 3/4 as you point out. Thanks for listening.
There are many pretty flowers in the forrest but to whom is the most beautifull is of up to a matter of taste.Pepper was more melancholy,Hodges was more expressive but all could induce tears.As can Webster & Getz on Tenor.
That sax almost can speak!!!! Amazingly sweet and smooth. Which is a really hard achievement when playing the sax, trust me! He is by far my preferred sax player! Simply the best! Genius, one of the kind!!!!
Really love your spotting the "Would You" quote and his expression of satisfaction. Oh yea, genius. He's doing this all the time. I wish I would have seen him live. Thanks for the great post!
Thanks for commenting. I was lucky enough to have seen him in 1975 (?) during the quartet reunion tour when just a lad. I still have not forgotten that concert.
@eflatguy Agreed. And what I loved most about Paul was that soft, buttery tone he got on his sax. Unreal. God took him too soon from us, but at least we have nuggets like this video clip to enjoy.
who was on jet? lol. desmond and pepper both have that bittersweet broken sound if you know what i mean--thanks for sharing great stuff! ---vstarsteve50
Yes, the great Paul Desmond. It's been said so many times, but it's true - he was a lyrical player. Beautiful sound, beautiful note selection. And...a great upload! Thanks for taking the time to share this with the world.
It should be noted that during the years the Brubeck quartet was playing, Paul Desmond was year after year the top winner of Jazz polls as jazz fans' favorite alto saxophonist. You go Paul!
@saxophoney: hey who are u telling that xD i know that, but people(musicians like Miles Davis) were just like......I don't like his playing he doesn't swing!!!!!!
paul desmond is probably my favorite saxophonist behind sonny rollins. even about charlie parker and coltrane bc of his cool jazz vibe. I loved his work with chet baker as well
It has nothing to do with being the 'best' or being the 'greatist' but he played with such a tone that you can always recognize him, that's a pure musician, Paul Desmond!
Rest In Peace Paul Desmond! You were one of the best if not THE best! Your body may be gone but your spiritr and your music will live on forever! He died 13 years before I was born which sucks! I would have LOVED to see him live! :(
@thesacredeagle To be fair the OP said 85th birth date rather than birthday and gave the date of death in his notes.
PD was absolutely freaking awesome on everything he did.
Much as I enjoy the Brubeck stuff I think he stayed there too long, I'd love to have seen him challenge himself with different musicians. Anyone who wants to hear what he's capable of in the right company must listen to Jim Hall's 'Concierto' - Paul's solo on the title track is just off the scale..
Please wipe of your glasses off and read more closely. The title which was put in place on Nov. 25 last is "this is Paul's 85th birth date!" not "birthday". The Paul Desmond International Fan Club is well aware of Paul Desmond's birth and sad passing.
This is correct. For some reason, many misunderstood the point of celebrating what would have been Paul Desmond's 85th birthday, had he not tragically died from the Pall Malls.
Thanks for sharing this, Saxophoney. Desmond turned me on to Jazz with his very lyrical and structured solos. He is a big influence in my playing, sound conception and improvs as you can hear in my clips if you would care to listen to them. Thanks again!
I remember Paul Desmond. I saw the Brubeck Q back in 1964 in Grand Rapids mi at the Civic Auditorium. He was extraordinary. You didn't have to be a saxophonist to recognize his talent and how he could play such lovely stuff all night
Bird is great, but him and Desmond are on completely opposite ends of the Jazz spectrum. I love them both anyways. My top three sax players are tied between Coltrane, Bird, and Desmond.
hi saxophoney, your lines about desmonds genius and style are so honest, personal and sensible (including the hint on 2:43, a very nice idea) - thanks a lot.
it`s a shame that PD passed away so soon, sometimes I dream he lives anywhere, a sophisticated old man, making jokes, having a dry martini...
ok.
i saw your own video too and just can say respectfully: keep playing, i`ts great.
hello saxophoney! hey if you could get hold of the duets album (w/ Dave Brubeck)...post it kindly...will you? that's a wonderfully calming album of the two
Thanks very much! I started my son out on Coltrane (especially Giant Steps, Blue Train, and Naima) as well as Brubeck (we've got Time Out and Time Further Out) and then branched out to Miles Davis, and since then he's become HOOKED on Louis Armstrong. He learned "La Vie En Rose" for his audition piece. Next week he starts the school's advanced jazz band, which is quite the honor.
We'd love recommendations, especially for something newer than 1960. :-)
Talk about serendipity! Last night one of Letterman's guests was Emily Blunt (plays young Queen Victoria). The band played "Victoria," but I was thinking they should have played "Emily." So while looking up another jazz reference for a friend, I ran across this. Perfect timing.
Thanks so much for posting it! My 7th-grade son is in jazz band, plays alto, and is discovering for himself just why Paul Desmond (and John Coltrane and Louis Armstrong and many others) are so great. He'll love this!
Thx! for the "411" Saxophoney. My comment was in response to a post @ "A Few Minutes with Johnny Hodges" video w/Duke Ellington. That post implied Paul Desmond was a superior player to Mr. Hodges to which I took exception because just listening to the (2) players, one sounds like the "Master" and the other perhaps a "protege". Now that you've let me know that indeed it is Paul Desmond who has paid tribute to Johnny Hodges and not vice versa, to my ear and musical experience, that makes sense.
PLEASE,PLEASE, PLEASE, never compare Paul Desmond to Johnny Hodges! It's like comparing Larry Byrd's basketball playing to Michael Jordan's: both are wonderful players, but one is in a league of his own. Johnny Hodges is in a league of his own and I'd be willing to wager that Paul Desmond probably listened to Mr. Hodges' playing as he developed his style of playing jazz. I can tell it wasn't the other way around.
I don't know who was comparing Desmond to Hodges but I can say that Paul Desmond admired Hodges playing enough to pay tribute to him a several recorded solos, where he would slip in a Hodges style pitch bend or two just as a tip of the hat to the Rabbit.
It was reported many years ago that Paul Desmond left his Selmer Super Balanced action alto saxophone to Michael Brubeck, so I'm afraid that you're out of luck.
I am glad that you liked the Paul Desmond performance and that you found my text posting of value. I tried to share some of what I know about the great Paul Desmond.
All time great lyrical player-he loved the key of Eb putting his alto in C. Ed Bickert, the great Canadian guitarist, said Paul played so many standards in Eb. This standard is normally played in C concert ( alto in A), and of course Stan Getz had the beautiful version with version with Bill Evans in Ab concert. Does it matter? Of course not! Just fun to know. Beautiful music!!
Very lovely version....I like it much !
Bee : ))
OnlyJeany 3 weeks ago
this is music. now we have lady gaga. *sigh*
clarence569 1 month ago
so smooth and romantic...
imajeepster 2 months ago
A true original. Never heard him ever play a bad solo ever.
furtherdefinitions1 2 months ago
@pavlos7x Ditto!
saxophoney 3 months ago
I think it should start differently:
"Best known for his long association with Dave Brubeck in the Paul Desmond-Quartet and so on :D
D3NN15H 3 months ago
He and Stan Getz are the two greatest sax players ever in my opinion.
macgregorcd 4 months ago
He and Stan Getz are the two greatest sax players ever in my opinion.
macgregorcd 4 months ago 3
@macgregorcd A lot of people would agree with that. Getz had a wonderful sound on tenor, and Desmond was indeed the greatest.
saxophoney 4 months ago
people do not understand the pain in his sound or in any artist. and yes there is a lot of pain there.
purplecloud191702 4 months ago
Hello !! (((((( I like your song !! Thanks for sharing
twgirl1 5 months ago
yes
exjazzbassbaz 7 months ago
ive listened to this many times.then i thought i would comment.but words fail me.well just to saythe late paul desmond was out of this world.one of my fav songs played by a genius.many thanks.
exjazzbassbaz 7 months ago
There's no much more you can do with an alto saxophone than what you see in this incredible archival video. Desmond and the alto are one and the same.
604460 7 months ago
find me a bad song by paul desmond and i'll give you a hundred bucks. such finesse, melody and elegance. i've yet to hear a paul desmond tune that doesn't become my favorite song for a few days :o)
sinprelic 7 months ago 3
Everything he plays is good.
Exiles800 7 months ago
Awesome.TY for posting.
paulostroff99 8 months ago
Who said white boys ain't got no soul?
QuantumPlenum 8 months ago 2
Paul was perhaps the greatest lyrical and melodic player of the saxophone - he didn't just "play" the sax, he "sang" through it! He could lull you to a peaceful sleep on one tune and give you chills on another. Thankfully his talent and artistry can be enjoyed forever.
bobobba442 9 months ago 15
@bobobba442 Well put.
saxophoney 9 months ago
Thank you so much for sharing!
ツBella
4BellaGuitar 9 months ago
The Sixties gave us SO much fabulous music. I remember when Paul Desmond hit the radio with Dave Brubeck and everyone went apeshi!. Unreal sounds we'd not heard before. This so evokes SO many wonderful memories of a very innocent time and we really didi not know HOW fortunate we were! Thanks to Saxaphoney who has eloquently described Desmond's artistry!
1
MsJollycholly 10 months ago 4
@MsJollycholly Thanks for the compliment!
saxophoney 10 months ago
smoother than diamond morning dew in some jasmine garden, but what else do your expect from Desmond? then put the scenario into the MJF and well you'll never forget. heard Emily prolly 100 times but this interpretation is excelLENTe. I say, stop the show, bring the orchestre out and give'm the award for best of show - now.
doingthisthingofours 10 months ago
my jazz teacher recommended i listen to this guy and he was right.
AirMover49 10 months ago
Peter Pan Paul Desmond.
BuckshotLaFunke1 10 months ago
what an elegance!.....paul is unique with his sax........
wajame 10 months ago
Ok! I must favorite this one! Where the heck did you get this?? Never mind... LOL!
charleylanger 10 months ago
@charleylanger This is great, isn't it. It is from a kind of otherwise crappy dvd.
saxophoney 10 months ago
Those of us who go south and north from and to Mexico's gold coast know Paul very well. For decades as the sun is going down in the Pacific, with a glass of Pinot Noir, on the fore deck with Paul's music playing is magical!!!!
fluidpwr56 10 months ago
what a movie..pls watch this in webmovietube
cheryklemish95 11 months ago
anyone knew a recording which bill evans played with pausl desmond???
y34r 11 months ago
Evocative,pure and incredibly lyrical. He truly was a most sensitive player and is still missed by many!
GS1273 11 months ago
Ma numesc Emilia ...
Piesa asta ma face sa zambesc , ma linisteste...
Multumesc Paul Desmond. :)
metaly2009 11 months ago
To often today we see musicians who are packaged to fit the industry. I so enjoy music that allows me to paint a picture in my mind.
rd6apache 11 months ago
When I am eaten up with heartache, I know I can listen to Paul Desmond and he would understand.
redhairedlad 11 months ago
Please don't think this is racist, and I know you will because you don't know what it means... but it's amazing how black he plays.
thereportersclinic 1 year ago
LOVE THIS SONGGG(: Sorryyy I accidentally hit the dislike button but then I pressed the like button like 10 times after that haha(: Great job with the video!
dominguez7826 1 year ago
Thanks!
saxophoney 1 year ago
This, indeed, is what brilliance sounds like. :-D
timwarneka 1 year ago
That tone...that unbelievable tone...what did they used to say about Desmond? His tone was like a dry martini...he was simply fabulous...
groovedrumming1 1 year ago 7
@groovedrumming1 Well stated. He was simply fabulous!
saxophoney 1 year ago
so perfect, I love the tune!
edwardconway27 1 year ago
2 years before his death, and his tone hasn't suffered at all. Simply wonderful.
DDEShare 1 year ago
Thanks saxophoney ! I didn't read all the comments and I'll probably repeat what many others said here. The video is fabulous, Desmond is the man and I only would like to know about the one lonely soul who said he didn't like it !
My only disagreement is about the quotation: wouldn't it be an attempt to quote more completely Tadd Dameron's "If You Could See Me Now" ?
André from Brazil
Growald 1 year ago
Hi. Thanks for commenting. I've given some thought to your Tadd Dameron suggestion and have listened to “If you Could see me now” and though the short quote sort of sounds close to “If you Could see me now”, re-listening to a clip Youtube of “Would You” from Singing in the Rain, I must stick by my “Would You?” comment (as in “She holds me in her arms, would you? Would you?). If you want to have a bit more fun analyzing this , search YT on “Would You singing in the rain” and you can listen.
saxophoney 1 year ago
When soul gets in and out of the saxophone!
douskara 1 year ago
thanks so much for posting this rare footage!!! love it!
saxboyy 1 year ago
@saxboyy You're very welcome. When I first saw this video, I was thrilled to death. He was just brilliant.
saxophoney 1 year ago
Paul made no secret of his adoration, if not actual love, for film legend Audrey Hepburn, and he often said he thought of her while playing. See his composition "Audrey."
SteveFallon1 1 year ago
My hero since 'Jazz at Oberlin' (my first LP) and seeing The DBQ in Manchester in 1963.Now at 73 I am trying to play.He will always be my inspiration.
takefive07 1 year ago
Outstanding! You're never too old to play the sax!
saxophoney 1 year ago
he could make you ..cry then put our tears back ..let you decide...
foolaloof1 1 year ago
amazing melodic lines;tone is better than tehcnique.
tugaJP112 1 year ago
Lovely. What a fantastic sound! The "Stan Getz" of the altos"... ;-) Thanks for posting.
Nonettegetz 1 year ago
I can't remember when I first heard Paul Desmond, but I remember that I was just like sayin' "Wow, this is pure genius"
FeedTheTrollPlz 1 year ago
Is he human or transported to Earth from another planet or, better yet, straight from heaven? What a tone and what superlative phrasing over one of the prettiest songs ever!! He may be gone from us, but will not be forgotten... Prosit!
dewmikester1 1 year ago 3
Agreed!
saxophoney 1 year ago
his sound is amazing, should be every sax players sound ideal
Bjorneization 1 year ago
He walks out lookin like an accountant and blows cool like this..So Fine
bagoona 1 year ago
Wow za indeed.
saxophoney 1 year ago
I could spend the hole night listening to this...
bergkalis 1 year ago
@bergkalis So glad you like it. Paul Desmond's playing is just stunning.
saxophoney 1 year ago
@saxophoney where can I find some of his albums?
bergkalis 1 year ago
@bergkalis Amazon dot com has many. His best work is with the Dave Brubeck Quartet, so look at old Dave Brubeck Quartet albums, recorded before 1967,
saxophoney 1 year ago
@bergkalis in itunes
waxsanto 1 year ago
Thanks for that account. It's good. This music keeps my breath. And I like Steely Dan.
carltornell 1 year ago
How can you be a saxophone player and die from lung cancer? This man is a man.
carltornell 1 year ago
Too many cigarettes... Stay away from cigarettes. Go Hookah.
saxophoney 1 year ago
He died only two years after this?
Libervurto 1 year ago
Yes. Cancer is very bad.
saxophoney 1 year ago
I just don't have the words to say about Paul Desmond - but I can write many, many words of how he makes me feel , listening to anything he plays.
hommefriday 1 year ago
that tone is soooo beautiful. i've never heard another sax player that can even come close to this. genius!
bohigasss 1 year ago
tender rendition & simple & transparent. cool.
spadge1able 1 year ago 11
Sorry, but Emily is in 3/4. In fact the word "Emily" has 3 syllables which fits very nicely with the 3/4 meter tune. You can sing the lyrics with the first 3 notes Paul plays as he sticks close to the melody for the first 3 bars. He plays two eighth notes (loosely) followed by a half note---Em-i-ly, Em-i-ly, Em-i-ly. Thanks for commenting.
saxophoney 1 year ago
@saxophoney I don't know to whom you were replying but this is in 3/4
skinkusmetalicus 1 year ago
@skinkusmetalicus You are correct. I don't remember who it was, but someone was confused and believed Emily to be in 5/4 time. It is in 3/4 as you point out. Thanks for listening.
saxophoney 1 year ago
Paul and Chet were the masters of understatement. Generations of jazz musicians will always be emulating them. Thanks for sharing.....JT...
jttrumpet55 1 year ago
Agreed
saxophoney 1 year ago
There are many pretty flowers in the forrest but to whom is the most beautifull is of up to a matter of taste.Pepper was more melancholy,Hodges was more expressive but all could induce tears.As can Webster & Getz on Tenor.
RogVMax 1 year ago
The most elegant, lyrical playing ever!!! Thanks so much for posting this beautiful video!!!
chetnet 1 year ago
You're welcome. I'm glad you enjoy this master of the jazz saxophone.
saxophoney 1 year ago
Todo un grande!! es uno de esos saxofonistas que con solo escucharlo tocar una nota, uno se da cuenta quien es.
choperudo 1 year ago
He was one of the greatest jazz composers and jazz saxophonists EVER !!!
crazyurmel2 1 year ago
hmm, sounds more like he quoted "If You Could See Me Now"....
retroafro98 1 year ago
Pure Sax.
TheFrostyDealer 1 year ago
That sax almost can speak!!!! Amazingly sweet and smooth. Which is a really hard achievement when playing the sax, trust me! He is by far my preferred sax player! Simply the best! Genius, one of the kind!!!!
cazazo 1 year ago 6
Wonder why the piano player played Cm at 44?
biscutsdad 1 year ago
Monterey ??? loooooooooool
Its Montreux (french). Montreux it's near Geneva in Switzerland
Maganagarapa 1 year ago
Really love your spotting the "Would You" quote and his expression of satisfaction. Oh yea, genius. He's doing this all the time. I wish I would have seen him live. Thanks for the great post!
eflatguy 1 year ago
Thanks for commenting. I was lucky enough to have seen him in 1975 (?) during the quartet reunion tour when just a lad. I still have not forgotten that concert.
saxophoney 1 year ago
@eflatguy Agreed. And what I loved most about Paul was that soft, buttery tone he got on his sax. Unreal. God took him too soon from us, but at least we have nuggets like this video clip to enjoy.
rayjr62 1 year ago
His composition is remarkable. Not only a one of a kind player. So many great melodies, he's the best.
eflatguy 1 year ago 11
yes. He ability to weave these wonderful improvised lines still is unsurpassed.
saxophoney 1 year ago 3
@eflatguy Desmond didn't write Emily, still a great tune though.
JROB1989 1 year ago
who was on jet? lol. desmond and pepper both have that bittersweet broken sound if you know what i mean--thanks for sharing great stuff! ---vstarsteve50
vstarsteve50 1 year ago
Yes, the great Paul Desmond. It's been said so many times, but it's true - he was a lyrical player. Beautiful sound, beautiful note selection. And...a great upload! Thanks for taking the time to share this with the world.
Larry, Taiwan
TheyCallMeGroucho 1 year ago 2
You're very welcome. Thanks for listening.
saxophoney 1 year ago
You are welcome and I'm very glad you appreciate his genius.
saxophoney 1 year ago
Great to see so many people appreciating Paul's playing i wish he had been appreciated like Coltrane,Davis and all these guys!
Beside that Paul was Cannonball's and Bird's favorite saxophonist which says a lot about his quality :-)
playbeautiful9 1 year ago
It should be noted that during the years the Brubeck quartet was playing, Paul Desmond was year after year the top winner of Jazz polls as jazz fans' favorite alto saxophonist. You go Paul!
saxophoney 1 year ago
@saxophoney: hey who are u telling that xD i know that, but people(musicians like Miles Davis) were just like......I don't like his playing he doesn't swing!!!!!!
I mean, wht the hell was wong with his ears???
playbeautiful9 1 year ago
@playbeautiful9 umm what do you mean he doesn't swing? this isn't a swinging chart..
theinvisiblelight 1 year ago
@theinvisiblelight: i wouldn't EVER say that, this was Miles' opinion!
You're right this ain't swing but he is swinging more subtle than other guys!!
playbeautiful9 1 year ago
@playbeautiful9 thats what paul is all about though
theinvisiblelight 1 year ago
paul desmond is probably my favorite saxophonist behind sonny rollins. even about charlie parker and coltrane bc of his cool jazz vibe. I loved his work with chet baker as well
SoulCalJazz 1 year ago
I could listen to this forever.
DiamondSoul 1 year ago
Soz I should've said Paul Desmond instead of "this guy" lol
boneofthewang 1 year ago
This guy makes an alto sax sound like a soprano
boneofthewang 1 year ago
wow
seerskater 1 year ago
Incredible.
DiamondSoul 1 year ago 3
It has nothing to do with being the 'best' or being the 'greatist' but he played with such a tone that you can always recognize him, that's a pure musician, Paul Desmond!
jeroenophoff 1 year ago
Rest In Peace Paul Desmond! You were one of the best if not THE best! Your body may be gone but your spiritr and your music will live on forever! He died 13 years before I was born which sucks! I would have LOVED to see him live! :(
LOVE YOU PAUL!
LucasSpurrell 1 year ago
Nothing sounds like this man's horn. Missed.
glidernyc 1 year ago
yes..another time and place....simply beautiful!
dukedome 1 year ago
agreed
saxophoney 1 year ago
pomada!!
epuntoo 1 year ago
This sends me to another time and place. My Dad loved this guy, and played him often. Many Thanks!
MISSEDHERSIR 1 year ago
You're very welcome. Great to learn that your Dad was a cool guy.
saxophoney 1 year ago
Paul Desmond is my favorite alto sax player it is a great disapointment that I couldn't hear him play in person
boffyrox02 1 year ago
He is well worth being your favorite as he was the best. I was blessed with hearing him once in my life, which is all I can ask.
saxophoney 1 year ago
Not for me, I was born 19 years after his death.
But hey, his music is still here, and maybe I'll learn from it and become a known musician someday too.
LordEyli 1 year ago
One of my favorite alto-saxophone players, his tone is impeccably beautiful.
85th birthday my ass! "After years of chain smoking and general poor health, Desmond succumbed to lung cancer in 1977." (Wikipedia)
This means he died at the age of 53.
thesacredeagle 2 years ago
@thesacredeagle To be fair the OP said 85th birth date rather than birthday and gave the date of death in his notes.
PD was absolutely freaking awesome on everything he did.
Much as I enjoy the Brubeck stuff I think he stayed there too long, I'd love to have seen him challenge himself with different musicians. Anyone who wants to hear what he's capable of in the right company must listen to Jim Hall's 'Concierto' - Paul's solo on the title track is just off the scale..
mctelord 2 years ago
Well put.
saxophoney 2 years ago
Please wipe of your glasses off and read more closely. The title which was put in place on Nov. 25 last is "this is Paul's 85th birth date!" not "birthday". The Paul Desmond International Fan Club is well aware of Paul Desmond's birth and sad passing.
saxophoney 2 years ago
No, the day this was UPLOADED was his 85th.
sehguh1 1 year ago
This is correct. For some reason, many misunderstood the point of celebrating what would have been Paul Desmond's 85th birthday, had he not tragically died from the Pall Malls.
saxophoney 1 year ago
Desmond is Fabbulouss ! I love to playy thiss songg on my saxx too . Plus my name is Emily !
Twilightfreak6644 2 years ago
Paul Desmondのアルトの音色に癒されます。
jazztarou 2 years ago
Paul Desmond!!!
saxophoney 2 years ago
« I think I had it in the back of my mind that I wanted to sound like a dry martini » P.Desmond
inkanti 2 years ago
Thanks for sharing this, Saxophoney. Desmond turned me on to Jazz with his very lyrical and structured solos. He is a big influence in my playing, sound conception and improvs as you can hear in my clips if you would care to listen to them. Thanks again!
TitusSax 2 years ago
I remember Paul Desmond. I saw the Brubeck Q back in 1964 in Grand Rapids mi at the Civic Auditorium. He was extraordinary. You didn't have to be a saxophonist to recognize his talent and how he could play such lovely stuff all night
rudolphjack 2 years ago 2
I always thought Paul & Joe were the real stars of the D.B.Q.
What great tone Paul had, plus great improv .. never rushed.
picchaz 2 years ago
have you people even heard of charlie parker?
applepie07 2 years ago
yes
funnylittleprawn 2 years ago
yes. And?
saxophoney 2 years ago
@applepie07
It's a big stage. There's room for both - and more, all due respect-and he's due all of it- to Bird.
iwanttotalkaboutyou 2 years ago
Yes....and...so what? I've also heard of Phil Woods, Art Blakey, Tom sawyer, King Tut, and Jerry who drive the UPS truck here.... So what?
MichaelnChristine 2 years ago
Bird is great, but him and Desmond are on completely opposite ends of the Jazz spectrum. I love them both anyways. My top three sax players are tied between Coltrane, Bird, and Desmond.
cholocharile 2 years ago
hi saxophoney, your lines about desmonds genius and style are so honest, personal and sensible (including the hint on 2:43, a very nice idea) - thanks a lot.
it`s a shame that PD passed away so soon, sometimes I dream he lives anywhere, a sophisticated old man, making jokes, having a dry martini...
ok.
i saw your own video too and just can say respectfully: keep playing, i`ts great.
(my english is just a "well-tried-thing", sorry)
best regards and thanks again
gratefulPDA 2 years ago 2
Thanks. Best wishes to you.
saxophoney 2 years ago
hello saxophoney! hey if you could get hold of the duets album (w/ Dave Brubeck)...post it kindly...will you? that's a wonderfully calming album of the two
butchchase 2 years ago
Actually, he is not into jazz at all and likes classical saxophone music and contemporary rock.
saxophoney 2 years ago
Great to hear. I've loved his playing forever and actually got to see him play once.
saxophoney 2 years ago
Paul Desmond is my favourite saxophonist by far
Nisstyre56 2 years ago 11
Thanks very much! I started my son out on Coltrane (especially Giant Steps, Blue Train, and Naima) as well as Brubeck (we've got Time Out and Time Further Out) and then branched out to Miles Davis, and since then he's become HOOKED on Louis Armstrong. He learned "La Vie En Rose" for his audition piece. Next week he starts the school's advanced jazz band, which is quite the honor.
We'd love recommendations, especially for something newer than 1960. :-)
Thanks!
sfisher71 2 years ago
i think the reason he didn't have the huge movement that you see of a lot of saxophonists is because his movement was in his shoulders a lot
drumstyx6464 2 years ago
YES JIM! THANK U!
da19lila38 2 years ago
buen jazz ai
Rawduk 2 years ago
Talk about serendipity! Last night one of Letterman's guests was Emily Blunt (plays young Queen Victoria). The band played "Victoria," but I was thinking they should have played "Emily." So while looking up another jazz reference for a friend, I ran across this. Perfect timing.
Thanks so much for posting it! My 7th-grade son is in jazz band, plays alto, and is discovering for himself just why Paul Desmond (and John Coltrane and Louis Armstrong and many others) are so great. He'll love this!
sfisher71 2 years ago
Glad to be of service.
saxophoney 2 years ago
Ahhh. Ahhhh. The softest touch in alto, and a racial barrier-breaker with his genius. He, Sonny Criss and Ben Webster had romantic tone of Gods.
SeerTrulth 2 years ago
You have to be joking!?? :/
jazzmunky 2 years ago
That odd post is gone.
saxophoney 2 years ago
This is so wonderful! I keep listening to this every day! A big thx for posting!
HCL991 2 years ago
I'm so glad that you enjoy the Paul Desmond video.
saxophoney 2 years ago
When I was young, I was playing alto sax on the amature band. My idol is Paul Desmond. I copied his play, especially with Jim Hall.
luzonbei 2 years ago
Cool.
saxophoney 2 years ago
The tone of his alto sax is pretiest all of Jazz Alto sax, isn't it? I like Art Pepper, Johny Hodges and Ben Webstar's tenor sax, too.
luzonbei 2 years ago
Thx! for the "411" Saxophoney. My comment was in response to a post @ "A Few Minutes with Johnny Hodges" video w/Duke Ellington. That post implied Paul Desmond was a superior player to Mr. Hodges to which I took exception because just listening to the (2) players, one sounds like the "Master" and the other perhaps a "protege". Now that you've let me know that indeed it is Paul Desmond who has paid tribute to Johnny Hodges and not vice versa, to my ear and musical experience, that makes sense.
2dasimmons 2 years ago
PLEASE,PLEASE, PLEASE, never compare Paul Desmond to Johnny Hodges! It's like comparing Larry Byrd's basketball playing to Michael Jordan's: both are wonderful players, but one is in a league of his own. Johnny Hodges is in a league of his own and I'd be willing to wager that Paul Desmond probably listened to Mr. Hodges' playing as he developed his style of playing jazz. I can tell it wasn't the other way around.
2dasimmons 2 years ago
I don't know who was comparing Desmond to Hodges but I can say that Paul Desmond admired Hodges playing enough to pay tribute to him a several recorded solos, where he would slip in a Hodges style pitch bend or two just as a tip of the hat to the Rabbit.
saxophoney 2 years ago
did desmond leave all his saxophones to dave brubeck's son? or just one of them?
i want his saxophone:)
oOolilacoOo 2 years ago
It was reported many years ago that Paul Desmond left his Selmer Super Balanced action alto saxophone to Michael Brubeck, so I'm afraid that you're out of luck.
saxophoney 2 years ago
ya hes amazing he is my great-grandpa and im a saxophonist myself.
bigboydssanthony 2 years ago
? How so?
saxophoney 2 years ago
what do u mean how so?hes my great-grandpa. my name is anthony desmond and im an alto saxophonist myslef. my grandpa told me i was related to him.
bigboydssanthony 2 years ago
youre lucky. i want his warm tone.
PanicItsJon 2 years ago
Great!
saxophoney 2 years ago
no habra musica más bella y sensible que la de Paul Desmond; un viaje(en avión) a la felicidad.
jiveacid 2 years ago
GENIUS !!
Why had he to go so early.... ?
His playing is to recognize everytimes immediately.
Thank you that u have written a good text to this video. Very rare that the ppl do it here on YT.
hoffmann9471 2 years ago
I am glad that you liked the Paul Desmond performance and that you found my text posting of value. I tried to share some of what I know about the great Paul Desmond.
saxophoney 2 years ago
Paul's taking a bath, that's all.
TheAltoman 2 years ago
wow...just wow....i love this guy! does anyone know what sax he uses and his mouthpiece, ligature, and reeds? thanks!
kibblesnbits2596 2 years ago
Of course: read the "info" notes to the right >>>
saxophoney 2 years ago
beautiful. nothing much more to say really.
evzboh 2 years ago
All time great lyrical player-he loved the key of Eb putting his alto in C. Ed Bickert, the great Canadian guitarist, said Paul played so many standards in Eb. This standard is normally played in C concert ( alto in A), and of course Stan Getz had the beautiful version with version with Bill Evans in Ab concert. Does it matter? Of course not! Just fun to know. Beautiful music!!
ccmusic7 2 years ago
What saxophonist wouldn't like to play everything in C?! A dream come true.
saxophoney 2 years ago
Yes - thank you for the "good to know" as Paul is always "good to go"
Doesn't matter where you are - you hear a note or three and Desmond is sooo easy to recognize and "good to know"... thanks - jp
1JimP 2 years ago