Paul Desmond plays "Emily" - Monterey Jazz festival 1975

Paul Desmond - November 25, 1924 - 1977. Alto Saxophonist. Born Paul Emil Breitenfeld. Musical genius. Composer of the jazz classic "Take Five". The song is the waltz "Emily" by Johnny Mandell (from the film "The Americanisation of Emily) performed at the Monterey Jazz festival in 1975. He played a Selmer Super Balanced Action Alto, a Gregory 4a-18m mouthpiece, and Rico 3-1/2 reeds and is seen here wearing "the suit". He stays fairly close to the lovely melody for the first 32 bars, and then off he goes. The effortlessness with which he spins beautiful melodic improvised lines is depressing (How did he do that?!!). This was the result of genius. He had total command of his instrument, having the ability to play far in to the altissimo register long before it became a studied discipline for the saxophone. And he just stands there, moving little more than his long fingers. No jumping, dancing, swaying, or crouching, just beautiful, swinging music. Note that he is quoting the waltz "Would You" at 2:35. He appears pleased with the result at 2:43. This is what brilliance sounds like.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• paul
• desmond
• emily
• saxophone
• jazz

[macgregorcd]

He and Stan Getz are the two greatest sax players ever in my opinion.

[saxophoney]

@macgregorcd A lot of people would agree with that. Getz had a wonderful sound on tenor, and Desmond was indeed the greatest.

[bobobba442]

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.

[saxophoney]

@bobobba442 Well put.

[MsJollycholly]

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

[saxophoney]

@MsJollycholly Thanks for the compliment!

[groovedrumming1]

That tone...that unbelievable tone...what did they used to say about Desmond? His tone was like a dry martini...he was simply fabulous...

[OnlyJeany]

Very lovely version....I like it much !

Bee : ))

[clarence569]

this is music. now we have lady gaga. *sigh*

[imajeepster]

so smooth and romantic...

[furtherdefinitions1]

A true original. Never heard him ever play a bad solo ever.

[saxophoney]

@pavlos7x Ditto!

[D3NN15H]

I think it should start differently:

"Best known for his long association with Dave Brubeck in the Paul Desmond-Quartet and so on :D

[macgregorcd]

He and Stan Getz are the two greatest sax players ever in my opinion.

[purplecloud191702]

people do not understand the pain in his sound or in any artist. and yes there is a lot of pain there.