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Paul Desmond

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Paul Desmond - 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 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.

Channel: Music
Uploaded: November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am
Author: saxophoney

Length: 05:18
Rating: 4.97
Views: 15436

Tags: desmond  emily  jazz  paul  saxophone  

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saxophoney (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)
Yes, your are right. I think that saxophonists in particular would subscribe to that view. The way he played went beyond practiced skill and the way he could improvise went way, way, beyond what the normal musician can muster. One listens to him and just wonders how he did it. No one could make an alto saxophone do what he did.
Nasenschlumpf (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)
he was a genius
saxophoney (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)
You bet! Glad you liked it. This performance is just a wonderful example of Desmond's pereless art.
honkysaxophone (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)
what a priceless video. thanks for sharing this video for saxophonists around the world.
xXBR4D3NXx (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)
Very nice.
highvoltijj (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)
Superb musicianship, but I'm really not a fan of his saxophone playing.
saxophoney (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)
After 30 years, nobody has come close to replacing him.
psKESEY56 (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)
I really miss him. He died so young. I love that when someone told him they listend to his music when making love he said "Glad to be of assistance." :)
TheOverlordDale (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)
Does anything need be said?I'm actually a clarinet performance major, but I double on saxophones. Whenever a fellow clarinet major complains about the sound of the Alto Saxophone, I just send them a YouTube link of Desmond. They stop complaining.
saxophoney (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)
Yea, wasn't his playing something else. Paul Desmond would spin brilliant lines seemingly with such ease. His improvisations sound like carefully written melodies and his tone is beatiful. As a saxophonist, I am in awe of his abilities. Thank goodness that there are so many quality recordings of his work available.

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