Paul Desmond born 25 November 1924

Paul Emil Breitenfeld was born on November 25, 1924 in San Francisco, California. Desmond’s childhood was problematic as his parents had a somewhat unhealthy relationship. As a child, he often played the violin (even though his father forbade him to do so), and the age of twelve, he would start studying the clarinet at San Francisco’s Polytechnic High School. By the time he reached college, he started playing the Alto Saxophone, which later became his most preferred instrument. Desmond was also drafted into the army for three years due to World War II, however, his unit was never called up to the front lines. 

In 1946, following his military discharge, Desmond legally changed his last named from Breitenfeld to Desmond. He told many stories over the years regarding how he chose the name Desmond, but his biographer Doug Ramsey offers an account from Desmond's friend Hal Strack that the two were listening to the Glenn Miller band singer Johnny Desmond in 1942, and Desmond told Strack "that's such a great name. It's so smooth and yet it's uncommon....If I ever decide I need another name, it's going to be Desmond."Desmond was married from 1947 to 1949 to Duane Reeves Lamon. Following his divorce, he remained single for the rest of his life. 

Desmond’s encounter with the legendary Dave Brubeck has become a trademark story in the jazz world. It is said that when Desmond started work in California at the Bandbox, Desmond hired Brubeck; only to first cut his pay in half and then fire him after taking him on tour just so that he (Desmond) could gamble in the casinos at Reno. In 1950 Desmond joined the band of Jack Fina and toured with Fina for several months. Brubeck went back home to California and started work with his trio, with whom he landed a radio gig; upon hearing of Brubeck’s success, Desmond travelled back to California and begged Brubeck to hire him, which Brubeck did not, until he made Desmond babysit his children. 

Desmond officially started work with the Dave Brubeck Trio (now Quartet with the inclusion of Desmond) in 1951. At first the Quartet spent time touring colleges with Desmond on the Alto Saxophone, and in 1953, they released their debut album titled “Jazz at Oberlin”, which was a live recording of their performances at Oberlin College. In 1954, the quartet was featured on Time Magazine. The Quartet was extremely successful for their Time Series, which was a series of five albums that featured songs in irregular, unusual time signatures such as 5/4 and 9/8. 

The first Time Series album, “Time Out”, was released in 1959 and it was the first ever jazz album to sell over a million copies. The rest of the Time Series albums were released between 1961 and 1963. Desmond was also credited as the lead songwriter for the Quartet’s most famous composition, “Take Five”. Desmond continued with the Quartet until their breakup in 1967, after which the Quartet only reassembled for reunion tours, the last of which was held in 1976, a year before Desmond’s death. 

Desmond spent the remainder of his life playing with many different artists and composers. He first collaborated with Gerry Mulligan, with whom he shared stage in 1969 and in 1974, the former being for the New Orleans Jazz Festival. Desmond also played with guitarist Jim Hall on several albums recorded by Desmond between 1959 and 1963 for the Warner Bros. and RCA record labels. After some time spent inactive, Desmond was asked to play the Half Note in New York City in 1971 by Hall. With his special brand of humour, Desmond said that he took the job only because he was nearby and could tumble out of bed to work. 

Desmond was a guest artist on five tracks by Chet Baker, recorded between 1975-1977. These were released on the albums She Was Too Good to Me, You Can't Go Home Again, and The Best Thing For You. Baker and Desmond also appeared together on two tracks included on Jim Hall's 1975 Concierto album. Desmond also played with Canadian guitarist Ed Bickert in Toronto. One of Desmond’s legendary performances was in collaboration with The Modern Jazz Quartet for a Christmas concert in 1971. In 1976 Desmond played 25 shows in 25 nights with Brubeck, touring the United States in several cities by bus.

Desmond died on May 30, 1977, not of his heavy alcohol habit but of lung cancer, the result of his long-time heavy smoking. Never without his humour, after he was diagnosed with cancer, he expressed pleasure at the health of his liver. His last concert was with Brubeck in February 1977, in New York City. His fans did not know that he was already dying. He donated many of his possessions to libraries and to charity and specified in his will that all proceeds from "Take Five" would go to the Red Cross following his death. 

(Edited from Famous Composers & Wikipedia)