Skip to main content

Posts

Featured

Paul Desmond, Idol of Cool

Affectionately nicknamed “the swingin' introvert” by his friends and peers, Paul Desmond's dulcet alto sax voice has become one of the iconic sounds of modern jazz. Although best known for his long-time musical relationship with Dave Brubeck, Desmond quietly carved his name into jazz history with other luminaries of the day as well. Over 30 years after his passing, he remains one of the most lyrical and melodic saxophonists ever heard, and typifies his genre perfectly—if Miles Davis gave birth to the cool, and if Chet Baker was its prince, Desmond was certainly its idol. San Francisco and the Early Days Born Paul Emil Breitenfield, on November 25, 1924, Desmond's musical background was fostered throughout his childhood. His father, an organist, also arranged music for the Golden Gate Theater in their native San Francisco. Desmond played violin and clarinet throughout high school, but switched to alto saxophone at 19 years of age, the same year he would be drafted for t

Latest Posts

Image

The Difficulties of Reading Music on Guitar (And Helpful Resources For It)

Image

Reformat incoming! Also, another new resource for jazzers: jazz-sax.com

Image

A New Resource for Central Texas Jazz Lovers: jazzinaustin.com is live!

Image

Jazz Transcription Resource: Martin Schaberl Writes the Book on Wolfgang Muthspiel

Image

Jazz Transcription Resource - Bruce Saunders's Transcriptions

Image

Peter Bernstein's Lyrical Up-Tempo Soloing - "Never Will I Marry"

Image

A Lesson in Jazz Blues Soloing - Peter Bernstein on "Gravy Waltz"

Image

Filling the Space - Joachim Schoenecker's solo on "Along Came Betty"

Image

A Chorus of Development - Wes Montgomery's Single-Line Solo on "Surrey with the Fringe on Top"

Image

Jazz Transcription Resource - Guitarist Steve Khan