| 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. |
