He looked like an MIT physics professor, and played like an angel. Every note here is beautiful and perfectly chosen. This isn't talent; it's genius.

@jf8461

3 жыл бұрын

LOL!! Agreed!

@mitchg415

3 жыл бұрын

I had the privilege of hearing him meeting him numerous times. He playing was just like his personality - articulate, witty, thoughtful, creative. All delivered with a gorgeous sound that will never, ever be heard again. Cheers to ya Paul. You are missed.

@user-fh8wr4uh5q

3 жыл бұрын

Exactly SO !! we re thinkIng OF HIM !!( Z All of Us here in,,,, Greece !!

@RussSwanson

2 жыл бұрын

Nailed it.

@elnenazo4773

Жыл бұрын

Is funny you mentón this because this is not the techinque virtuoso we are used to. As you said is another kind of genius a more meticulous and elegante genious that does not need fast tempos to impress.

A Middle aged bald man With big thick glasses wearing a beige suit is the coolest cat I’ve ever seen or heard, never thought I’d say that but it’s true.

@garystroud1629

3 жыл бұрын

Totally agree. Goes to show that music is about soul and sound, not image. Not that a lot of musical "artists" nowadays get that point.

His tone is just flawless. He has tone,technique, soul, and every emotion you can produce on sax. one of my favorites of all time.

@josephl3204

4 жыл бұрын

,my scxurvy cock has technique

@daveaaron4859

4 жыл бұрын

Perfect # Beautiful tone.His improvisations are like instant compositions. Very original lyrical. #

@thecapetownjazzscene2485

2 жыл бұрын

There was only ONE PD and only ONE PD sound - gorgeous and beyond.

@anniecapek2617

Жыл бұрын

Agreed!! Beyond genius.

0:34 the best timed jet takeoff in history. I’d like to think Emily was on that plane, leaving to a far away place for an indeterminate amount of time, and Paul was left back on the tarmac lamenting her departure, with nothing but his sax in his hand.

@Mrkamiih625

2 жыл бұрын

@@capucine2347 your attitude is what really sucks

@jamescampoccio1152

2 жыл бұрын

You have outdone Leonard Feather.

@howardadamsky2417

2 жыл бұрын

Yo are so right. 0:34 is a lovely progression. I suspect we will not see his kind again. To be lost so young.

@classified9668

Жыл бұрын

didnt catch that the first time haha

@icecreamforcrowhurst

3 ай бұрын

I was sure he was about to quote ‘Fly Me to the Moon’ lol

Best part is from 0:00-4:59

@joecaroselli5858

4 жыл бұрын

Wonderful comment!

@improcat1

3 жыл бұрын

Worst part is - he's not here anymore. One of my favourite videos on KZread.

one wise man speaks the saxophone langauge and everyone understand it from his heart.

I first heard Paul Desmond 58 years ago, still in high school. I had never heard a sound like his before - and never since. Sax played like velvet - - - Thanks Paul - for all the years and all the sounds. May the Lord take as much pleasure in the talent you have as we all did.

@pedroramos6472

Жыл бұрын

He’s in my top five love me some him 🤣

@jackdolphy8965

5 ай бұрын

For me it’s been 54 years since my first escort into Desmond’s universe. Ever thankful to my high school band and jazz teacher who brought Dave Brubeck ( w-o Desmond) to meet us, and let us play for him - we, the mighty jazz band of all six of us. Lol. This of course further solidified my interest in Paul Desmond

If you're still listening to this today, you have great taste!

@mightyginza3182

3 жыл бұрын

You too...🥂🥂🥂🌹🌹🌹 🎷 🎷 🎷

He admired Charlie Parker but created his own style no one can imitate. Genius!

Just that opening line alone really sends me away to a better place, to a better time.

Dear Paul, so glad you came...

Notice the self-satisfying little smile after he quotes "Would You" at around 2:20. He was a true master of using quotes, because unlike many other players he often slipped them in and it could take several listenings before you realized he did it.

@joecaroselli5858

4 жыл бұрын

Terrific points. I interviewed Dave Brubeck and he mentioned how Paul would often tell the story of his day in these little quotes in musical code.

@mpcguy

3 жыл бұрын

He probably did that way more than most mortals would know. I think he knew everything he ever heard.

His tone is just so beautiful that you want to cry now that he is gone. I could listen to Emily 1,000 times and never get bored. Just great, period.

I was at the concert it was Monterey & the United air flight flew extra low to show the passengers the gig Paul could sooth any savage beast he had the gift of COOL.

Every one of his improvisations sounds like a fully thought out and prepared composition!

Paul Desmond, still my favorite to listen to of most sax players. I can tolerate it both on a conscious and subconscious level without going crazy. Just nice. Thank you Paul. :)

Has anyone ever played the Alto sax more perfectly? Lilting, exquisite, calming. Rest in peace Paul Desmond.

@ScottishFiddleLesson

9 жыл бұрын

Me

@manutre3476

6 жыл бұрын

Charlie Parker is the best alto sax player ever !!!

@marshaisaacs1954

6 жыл бұрын

Always enjoy listening to Paul Desmond.

@stefanopasqualucci

5 жыл бұрын

Paul was the PERFECTION of alto. I always like and envy at the same time his way of playing!

@matouscimfl8274

5 жыл бұрын

What about Charlie Parker ?

How could anything be more perfect than this. Paul, you left us with pure beauty.

@andybaldman

2 жыл бұрын

Beautifully put.

There must be, and have been, tens of thousands of alto sax players in the world - but after listening to just the first few notes - we know, that is Paul Desmond. The spirits of these kind of people landed on earth from some far off galaxy.

@DESCENDINGDR

8 жыл бұрын

+hommefriday And seem to have all gone back to that galaxy....

@irenenoakes4089

7 жыл бұрын

yeah righton! jumped in the car the other day bit stressesd, turned on some jazz radio- on came Paul Desmond Skylark changed my day completely. Never ever get tired of his tone and mastery of the instrument.

@caddelworth

Жыл бұрын

When one can more-or-less immediately recognise a sax player by their tone, that's how you know they are one of the "greats."

@lindaallen5543

Жыл бұрын

@@caddelworth www euro millions numbers the mar 23

I loved this song and the way Paul Desmond is playing.

This is like falling in love. Wow, I am breathless.

Paul Desmond was just the best. He donated all proceeds from “Take Five” to the American Red Cross and his sax to Dave Brubeck’s son when he died, just a short time after this was filmed. I believe he had that super sweet, soft tone from learning the clarinet first. And his range was vast. My favorite horn player of all time.

Beauty beyond description. I never tire of listening to Paul Desmond.

Paul Desmond simply the sweetest alto ever! One of a kind and great!

The quintessence of Desmond's wistful play. Simple, pure and extremely melodious. The DBQ was blessed by the gods : two geniuses, with Joseph Morello and Paul Desmond. Too much for Paul who left for a second career with beautiful recordings and concerts like this one in the Montreux jazz festival. Superb.

Felicity !! He is an angel of music. These heavenly melodies had not existed on this earth before, was generated there at that moment, and overflowed from his golden saxophone.

Paul's tone was so beautiful

Absolutely touching and elegant. Paul Desmond was a very kind man with a great sense of humour. Listening to his sax is like listening to somebody telling stories.

There will never be a sweeter sound on this earth. Thank you, Mr. Desmond .

“Has it ever struck you that life is all memory, except for the one present moment that goes by you so quick you hardly catch it going?”― Tennessee Williams

Who could play an alto more smoothly and beautifully than Paul Desmond? No one! What lyrical silk!

@brojonimiles8023

8 жыл бұрын

K Lewis is this type of playing ever going to come back in style???

@philiphorn-botha5502

6 жыл бұрын

He doesn't play the sax .....he plays his soul !

@ThomasAquinos

6 жыл бұрын

Stan Getz and Ben Webster

@AlJoProductions

5 жыл бұрын

Brojoni Miles I’m working on it give me some time :D

The Best Alto Sax player Paul Desmond.♫♪♫♫ Beautiful tune. Sweet and soothing !!! Thanks.

This video should serve for "modern" alto saxophone students as a lesson, as this is the Alpha and Omega of alto saxophone science in it's highest Level. No one compares to Paul. A wonderful tune, beautiful Interpretation.

@Khayyam-vg9fw

3 жыл бұрын

I love this kind of tone on the alto as much as I detest the honking, 70s cop show tone (married to minor pentatonic clichés and funk rhythms).

Very smooth ...... almost sounds like a clarinet, Paul Desmond is amazing.

@touaregkc

9 жыл бұрын

Only a clarinet trained sax player can sound this smooth...wonderful.

@TCJAZZ-MUSIC

9 жыл бұрын

Indeed .......

@rubengreenberg2253

5 жыл бұрын

He did play the clarinet at one point. I would love to hear some recordings with him on the clarinet. That said, with Paul, we hear the sound of a soul more than that of an instrument.

@stefanopasqualucci

5 жыл бұрын

That’s so true!!!

@Abraxas_90

4 жыл бұрын

Jazzman zero clarinet

This makes me want to pick up an alto too! Never played any horns before, only piano… I will probably never sound like Paul Desmond, but it is still very inspiring!

@Khayyam-vg9fw

3 жыл бұрын

Playing the sax also helps your phrasing if you're a singer. I'm a bass player myself (electric and upright) and an arranger, but I learnt a bit of sax to help myself to understand writing for horns better.

@231994C

3 жыл бұрын

Just to make you feel better, nobody will ever sound like Desmond.

@CraigStCyrPlus

Жыл бұрын

Do it.

@ArvidDarmond

Жыл бұрын

@@Khayyam-vg9fw And conversely, sax players are encouraged to listens to singers to help with their sax phrasing.

My favorite sax player on my favorite jazz song... nice.

@robertacapodicasa9135

7 жыл бұрын

me too... at he moment...

@touaregkc

6 жыл бұрын

Yes, mine too. No doubt.

The only man able to sound like a dry martini...

@johnbrett6514

6 жыл бұрын

Oswaldo Goit

@daviddubois9632

6 жыл бұрын

Greatest alto sax player ever!

@francesconegri95

6 жыл бұрын

I'm a jazz player and getting into cocktails and this is so right

@kyungjoohan5406

5 жыл бұрын

David DuBois yes indeed

@sprucefan4379

5 жыл бұрын

One of the few alto players that make me question whether I like tenor better.

Just absolutely astounding.

The Master. Pure genius. Simply the best of the best.

My current favorite alto player. Melody for days from this guy. Beautiful and honest, without an ounce of pretense.

One of the most sensual, articulate examples of Paul Desmond's amazing range. 1:40 - 1:50... magnificent.

@touaregkc

9 жыл бұрын

Mike J Yes, indeed.

@ejloo

3 жыл бұрын

Having goosebumps listening to this part, over and over again. Another example also between 2:08 to 2:18

Smoothest sax tone I've ever heard 🎷

Paul Desmond was a God kiss for the likes of us................

Heard a track today in a coffee bar in town and enquired if they knew who the music was by, as it was just perfection. They did know, and so here I am checking out his legacy to Jazz music. When I realised it was the same guy who had spent years with Brubeck, it was easier to understand why his name was not as well known as it should be.

I met you through your music and I will continue to be your music friend while you rest up 🙏 Rest In Musical Peace and thank you for this signature of purity

Mr.Elegance. So perfect! My favourite

Paul soars in this rendering of a most beautiful composition. A true original in style and utter sophistication. Long live Pau Desmond.

@daltonlopez6867

4 жыл бұрын

You said it best

This Guy had awesome air control on beautiful performance !!! love it.

Love that song. His rendition puts lots of soulfulness into his play.

Paul and pianist Bill Evans, two of the most lyrical players of all time, played Johnny Mandel's masterpiece at almost every gig to the end of their lives. There are multiple performances on the recent Mosaic set of Paul's Toronto club dates, and on the box sets of Bill Evans's week-long gigs at the Vanguard and Keystone Korner the weeks before he died.

@liamnguyen2819

Жыл бұрын

Very interesting. Thanks for sharing :)

The sublime master at work...R.I.P... Thanks Paul...

His playing is like an intimate conversation in an empty club after a year of isolation.

なんて優しくて美しい音なんだろう。 涙が溢れてくる。

Simply Beautiful music

💞💞Paul Desmond💞💞

Along with Webster, Young, Hawkins, Getz, Coltrane, Rollins, Parker, Cannonball, Pepper and more recently Grossman, Berg, Bergonzi and Brecker, Desmond was one of the great masters...like all the above, utterly unique and inimitable...

Marvellous - never to be forgotten

Paul was the best.

Sweet, delicate and soulful. My favorite alto player.

I could listen him play all day long. Love you Paul.

Extraordinary ! he was born to play alto.

The beginning, middle and end of the textbook; "How to play the saxophone"

@robertbrittain3996

10 жыл бұрын

Like.. :)

me encanta con mis 16 años adoro esta musica agarro mi saxoffon y me pongo a recrear esatas bellas melodias creadas por estos impresionantes artistas

I came here because I heard "Paul Desmond on the stereo" in Michael Franks' Rainy Night in Tokyo. Wow, this is magical.

@wtwrush

7 жыл бұрын

WOW. just made that connection. Another absolutely beautiful song. Clearly more than a little influence there.

@Cue-pv3jg

5 жыл бұрын

Same here. Always wondered who he was when Michael Franks mentioned him, same man with Dave B, great musician with outstanding tone. Let me say though that back in the day Michael Franks was smooth himself - all albums up to Blue Pacific I've enjoyed and appreciated!

Gorgeous

Paul Desmond I still enjoy to listen o you. Perfect !

LE GRAND GÉNIE DU LYRISME ET LE JAZZ! DOMMAGE QUE SES INTERETS FINANCIERS, ONT PRIS LE DEVANT DE SON LÉGITIME DÉSIR...!!!MERCI POUR LA MAGINIFIQUE VIDEO. DIRECTEMENT DE SALVAOOR-BAHIA = AUTOMN 2023

This is one of the high peaks of jazz sax, incredible power to move people, just look at his body movements, he's feeling every note. Unsurpassed!

Magnificent beyond words.5!!!!

The consummate master of his instrument. Perfection.

Absolutely incredible - out of this world.

Lyrical, musical, inventive.......and that tone!

pure beauty

Desmond once described his sound as being like a dry martini - perfect! I think I'm going to have one of those right now

wow...perfect! Impressed in 2020..

Nobody improvises as beautiful as Paul Desmond! I use present tense cuz his music lives on

There will not be another like him in 200 years. Perfection.

Great lyrical improvisation plus most beautiful tone....perfect.

This just makes me melt....

¡Qué genio, no me canso de escucharlo! Un saludo al más allá Mr. Desmond.

1:38 is so good, AGH

So beautiful.

Paul Desmond le plus grand (alto) du JAZZ USA Merci ! R.

SO good!

How wonderful, thanks Roger B - made my day

For you youngsters: the picture-in-a-picture at 2:40 was state of the art live video processing back in the 70s

@jimbrown1559

2 жыл бұрын

And note Paul's mic technique -- he's not "eating" the mic, giving it plenty of space to get the total sound of the horn. As a live sound and recording engineer, I worked with a lot of the greats, and many of the best projected a lot of sound. I didn't get to work with Paul, but guys like Woods, Getz, Mulligan, Slam Stewart, Mark Murphy, and Tony Bennett had VERY big sounds.

Que belleza!!!

Qué maravilla. Daría mucho por viajar en el tiempo y poder estar allí.

Ty 4 posting love the sound of the airplane flying over as he performs

Sublime playing that has it all. Jet sound is even cool too!

Like an angel's whisper.

If you have ever heard Paul Desmond playing before, all you need to hear is a few notes to know it is him and not some other saxophone player. I love this as it has a lot of feeling and emotion in it and it was Paul Desmond's tone on the Alto sax that got me started playing the saxophone about a year ago. He is not only my favourite saxophone player of all time, but I always liked his soft, smooth, dry sound, which is the tone I prefer (like Stan Getz had on Tenor and Gerry Mulligan had on his Baritone sax), not the same as the fast bebop, pop or brighter jazz sounds of many other saxophonists had/have. That is not to say there is anything wrong with those styles of course, just not what I like as much compared to this type of sound.

I play alto sax, Paul Desmond is my inspiration to always better myself, one day just maybe I can create a sound so amazing like the great Desmond! Take Five & Ten just sublime and Emily is the cream on the cake

UNIQUE. A "One Off". One of the truly great musicians of yesterday year.

the sound of the airplane........beautiful

Magnifico, precioso tono,el maestro Desmond soplaba armonías magistrales.. 🎷

Listen and observe, young horn-player.

This is how you make love to a woman, in this case to a saxophone .... Romantic ... Lyrical ... Emotional ... Gentle ...!

If Getz had the tone all the Tenor players wanted, this is the tone all us Altos want

Perfeição!

@chatssauvages0618

Жыл бұрын

du très grand Paul desmond homme de génie je pense q un il est unique super saxophoniste