
As co-editor of his high school newspaper, he helped secure an interview with Bob Hope during his visit to San Francisco.

Paul was not only a gifted musician, but a talented writer who took an early interest in show business. Desmond began playing violin at an early age, though his father forbade him to play it.ĭesmond began to study clarinet at the age of twelve, which he continued while at San Francisco Polytechnic High School. During childhood he spent years living with relatives in New York City due to problems at home. His mother was emotionally unstable throughout his upbringing.
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His father was a pianist, organist, and composer, who accompanied silent films in movie theaters and arranged for music companies. His father was from a Jewish family from Bohemia and Austria, and his mother was Catholic throughout his life, Desmond was unsure of his father’s background. Desmond with John Lewis (piano), Mundell Lowe (guitar), Richard Davis (bass), Roy Burns (drums)ĭave Brubeck Quartet – “ Take Five” / 1961 Early Lifeĭesmond was born Paul Emil Breitenfeld in San Francisco, California, in 1924, the son of Shirley (née King) and Emil Aron Breitenfeld. Dave Btubeck Trio with Paul Desmond and Gerry Mulligan / All The Things You Are / 1971 Dave Quartet / Take the “A” Train / Live 1966 Videos Dave Brubeck Quartet / Take Five / 1961ĭave Brubeck (piano) Paul Desmond (alto sax) Eugene Wright (bass) Joe Morello (drums). He has been recorded on over 90 albums dating from 1950 to 1977.Īfter years of chain smoking and general poor health, Desmond succumbed to lung cancer in 1977 following one last tour with Brubeck. In addition to his work with Brubeck, he led several of his own groups and engaged in significant collaborations with artists such as Gerry Mulligan, Chet Baker, Jim Hall, and Ed Bickert.

With his light, melodic tone on the alto saxophone, he said he tried to sound “like a dry martini.”īest known for the work he did in the Dave Brubeck Quartet and for composing that group’s greatest hit, “Take Five”, Paul was one of the most popular musicians to come out of the West Coast’s cool jazz scene.

A sax player that had considerable influence on me was Paul Desmond.
