Archive for alto saxophone

100 Years of Paul Desmond

Posted in Jazz with tags , , , , , on November 25, 2024 by telescoper

This evening I happened across a reminder that today is the centenary of the birth of saxophonist and composer Paul Desmond, who was born on November 25th 1924. Paul Desmond is best known for his work with Dave Brubeck’s quartet from 1951 to 1967, and particularly as composer of their smash hit Take Five. He didn’t only work with Brubeck, though. He made fine recordings with Chet Baker and Gerry Mulligan amongst others. His gentle tone and lyrical phrasing on alto saxophone were instantly recognizeable and very typical of the West Coast style of cool jazz, and on alto saxophone was instantly recognizeable. Never a speed merchant in the Charlie Parker tradition, Desmond fell out with Brubeck’s drummer Joe Morello who would often set the tempo, especially on Take Five, too fast in live performances, so I thought I’d pay my little tribute by playing a less familiar number, the Japanese-influenced Koto Song on which Paul Desmond plays very beautifully.

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