Paul Desmond
Paul Desmond is widely recognized for his genius as a melodic improviser and as the benchmark of cool jazz sax players. His warm, elegant tone was one that he admittedly tried to make sound like a dry martini. He and Art Pepper were virtually the only alto players of their generation not directly influenced by Charlie Parker. Desmond was influenced by Lester Young, but took it further, into melodic and harmonic worlds never before traveled by reedmen -- especially in the upper registers. Desmond is best known for his years with the Dave Brubeck Quartet (1959-1967) and his well-known composition "Take Five." He met Brubeck in the late '40s and played with his Octet. The Quartet formed toward the end of 1950 and took final shape with Eugene Wright and Joe Morello a few years later. Jazz at Oberlin and Take Five were considered essential purchases by college students of the era, but Jazz Impressions of Japan was its most innovative recording. Desmond played his loping, slow, ordered, and intricate solos in direct contrast to the pianist's obsession with large chords, creating a myriad of textures for melodic and rhythmic counterpoint unlike any heard in jazz. His witty quotations from musicals, classical pieces, and folk songs were also a watermark of his artistry. When the Quartet split in 1967, Desmond began an intermittent yet satisfying recording career. It included dates with Gerry Mulligan for Verve, various sessions with Jim Hall, and a concert with the the Modern Jazz Quartet. He played his last gigs with the Brubeck Quartet at reunions before dying of lung cancer. Desmond's recordings for RCA have gotten box-set treatment and Mosaic issued one of the complete sessions with Hall. There are also reissues from A&M and CTI, though recordings on Artist House and Finesse remain regrettably out of print.
© Thom Jurek /TiVo
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These Foolish Things
Jazz - Released by Vantage Music on 23 Sep 2016
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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First Place Again (Original Album)
Jazz - Released by J For Jazz Records on 21 Oct 2013
The Qobuz Essential Discography16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Sur La Monture (Live)
Dave Brubeck, Paul Desmond, Gerry Mulligan
Jazz - Released by Wolf Tree on 13 Mar 2024
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
The Complete Albums Collection: 1953-1963
Jazz - Released by ENLIGHTENMENT on 8 Jun 2018
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
First Place Again
Contemporary Jazz - Released by Supreme Media on 21 Oct 2013
The Qobuz Essential Discography16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
First Place Again
Jazz - Released by Cruisin Jazz on 21 Oct 2013
The Qobuz Essential Discography16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
First Place Again
Jazz - Released by Diamond Days on 21 Oct 2013
The Qobuz Essential Discography16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
All That Jazz, Vol. 85: Plain Saxophone – Paul Desmond & Friends, Feat. Dave Brubeck (Remastered 2017)
Paul Desmond, Dave Brubeck, Norman Bates, John Dodge
Jazz - Released by Jube Legends on 2 Jun 2017
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Delight Beautiful Tracks
Jazz - Released by Daylights Nightlights Recordz TM on 22 Aug 2021
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
City Bouncing Uptown
Jazz - Released by City Bouncing Uptown Muzik on 22 Aug 2021
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Daylights Nightlights Best Songs
Jazz - Released by Daylights Nightlights Recordz TM on 22 Aug 2021
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
The Great Masterpieces Maker
Jazz - Released by Great Masterpieces Maker Recordings Ltd on 22 Aug 2021
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Deep in My Music
Jazz - Released by Deep In My Music Recordings TM on 22 Aug 2021
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Time Songs Imagination
Jazz - Released by Time Songs Imagination Music Rec on 26 Apr 2021
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Fantastic Christmas Songs
Jazz - Released by Best Holidays Recordings on 10 Dec 2021
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Riding Where Sunshine
Jazz - Released by Riding Where Sunshine Records on 25 Oct 2021
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Wild Mood Best Tracks
Jazz - Released by Wild Mood Best Tracks Recordings on 10 Dec 2021
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
First Place Again
Jazz - Released by Mile End on 21 Oct 2013
The Qobuz Essential Discography16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
First Place Again
Jazz - Released by Firefly Entertainment on 21 Oct 2013
The Qobuz Essential Discography16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -