Desmond was bor… Read Full Bio ↴Paul Desmond (1924-1977) was a U.S jazz saxophonist.
Desmond was born Paul Emil Breitenfeld in San Francisco, California on 25th November 1924. He came to prominence with the Dave Brubeck Quartet, which lasted from 1951 until 1967. Desmond wrote their biggest hit, "Take Five".
Desmond's alto saxophone tone and technique owed nothing to the great alto player of the time, Charlie Parker; instead his was a clear, light, floating sound and highly melodic playing style. Much of the success of the classic Brubeck quartet was due to the superposition of his fragile, airy sound over Brubeck's sometimes relatively heavy, polytonal piano work.
Desmond died on 30th May 1977.
Paul Desmond is widely recognized for his genius as a melodic improviser and as the benchmark of cool jazz sax players. His warm, elegant tone was one that he admittedly tried to make sound like a dry martini. He and Art Pepper were virtually the only alto players of their generation not directly influenced by Charlie Parker. Desmond was influenced by Lester Young, but took it further, into melodic and harmonic worlds never before traveled by reedmen -- especially in the upper registers. Desmond is best known for his years with the Dave Brubeck Quartet (1959-1967) and his infamous composition "Take Five." He met Brubeck in the late '40s and played with his Octet. The Quartet formed toward the end of 1950 and took final shape with Eugene Wright and Joe Morello a few years later. Jazz at Oberlin and Take Five were considered essential purchases by college students of the era, but Jazz Impressions of Japan was its most innovative recording. Desmond played his loping, slow, ordered, and intricate solos in direct contrast to the pianist's obsession with large chords, creating a myriad of textures for melodic and rhythmic counterpoint unlike any heard in jazz. His witty quotations from musicals, classical pieces, and folk songs were also a watermark of his artistry. When the Quartet split in 1967, Desmond began an intermittent yet satisfying recording career. It included dates with Gerry Mulligan for Verve, various sessions with Jim Hall, and a concert with the the Modern Jazz Quartet. He played his last gigs with the Brubeck Quartet at reunions before dying of lung cancer. Desmond's recordings for RCA have gotten box-set treatment and Mosaic issued one of the complete sessions with Hall. There are also reissues from A&M and CTI, though recordings on Artist House and Finesse remain regrettably out of print. ~ Thom Jurek, Rovi
Body and Soul
Paul Desmond Lyrics
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For you I sigh, for you dear only
Why haven't you seen it
I'm all for you body and soul
I spend my days in longing
And wondering why it's me you're wronging
I tell you I mean it
I can't believe it
It's hard to conceive it
That you'd turn away romance
Are you pretending
It looks like the ending
Unless I could have just one more chance to prove, dear
My life a wreck you're making
You know I'm yours for just the taking
I'd gladly surrender myself to you body and soul
My life a wreck you're making
You know I'm yours for the very taking
I'd gladly surrender myself to you body and soul
The song "Body and Soul" is a mournful, sentimental ballad that speaks of unrequited love. The lyrics describe the singer's heartache and longing for the person they love, who does not seem to reciprocate their feelings. The phrase "body and soul" is a poetic way of voicing the singer's complete devotion to the person they love.
The melancholic lyrics are matched with a slow, mournful melody, performed by a group of talented musicians. The group features Paul Desmond on alto saxophone, Jim Hall on guitar, Albert Richman on violin, Stan Webb on drums, Romeo Penque on English horn, Gloria Agostini on harp, Milt Hinton on bass, and Robert Thomas Jr. on percussion. The instrumentation of the song is sparse, giving the melody and lyrics room to breathe and allowing the emotions to shine through.
Line by Line Meaning
My heart is sad and lonely
I am heartbroken without you and feel lonely.
For you I sigh, for you dear only
I long for you and only you, and my sighs are a constant reminder of my longing.
Why haven't you seen it
I wonder why you have not noticed my love for you.
I'm all for you body and soul
I am completely devoted to you, both physically and emotionally.
I spend my days in longing
My days are consumed by my yearning for you and my desire for your love.
And wondering why it's me you're wronging
I am confused and hurt by your lack of reciprocation for my love.
I tell you I mean it
I want you to know that my love for you is sincere and genuine.
I'm all for you body and soul
I am completely devoted to you, both physically and emotionally.
I can't believe it
I find it hard to accept the reality that you are not interested in me romantically.
It's hard to conceive it
It is difficult for me to imagine that our love is not meant to be.
That you'd turn away romance
I am surprised that you are rejecting my love and not giving our romance a chance.
Are you pretending
I am questioning whether your lack of interest is genuine or simply an act.
It looks like the ending
I fear that our love story may come to a sad conclusion due to your lack of interest.
Unless I could have just one more chance to prove, dear
I hope for a chance to show you my sincerity and win your love.
My life a wreck you're making
Your rejection and lack of interest in me is causing my life to fall apart.
You know I'm yours for just the taking
I am at your disposal and willing to do anything to win your love.
I'd gladly surrender myself to you body and soul
I am willing to give myself entirely to you, both physically and emotionally, if it means winning your love.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., CARLIN AMERICA INC
Written by: Edward Heyman, Frank Eyton, John Green, Robert Sour
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Italian Man's Music
Bro, this is almost as good as the Charlie Parke version, I think it's the violins. This type of jazz with the smooth vibe should be played on the radio daily. Jazz, Blues, Bebop, etc. All the oldies. And I'm literally only a teen and I love this type of music, I think it's cause I play the sax, IDK. But still, bless you all that enjoy music, old, new any. I'll respect you no matter what.
Jesus Mora
Definitely. The drums keep the smooth groove and the guitar accompaniment is nice and chill