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
Mam'selle
Paul Desmond Lyrics
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It was midnight Come to think of it
It was spring
There was music I was listening
Then in the room somewhere someone began to sing
This serenade made for remembering
A small cafe, Mam'selle
The violins were warm and sweet
And so were you, Mam'selle
And as the night danced by
A kiss became a sigh
Your lovely eyes seemed to sparkle
Just like wine does
No heart ever yearned the way mine does for you
And yet I know too well
Some day you'll say goodbye
Then violins will cry
And so will I, Mam'selle
A small cafe, Mam'selle
Our rendezvous, Mam'selle
The violins were warm and sweet
And so were you, Mam'selle
And as the night danced by
A kiss became a sigh
Your lovely eyes seemed to sparkle
Just like wine does
No heart ever yearned the way mine does for you
And yet I know too well
Some day you'll say goodbye
Then violins will cry
And so will I, Mam'selle
Paul Desmond's "Mam'selle" describes a memory of a spring night in Montmartre, Paris. The singer is listening to music when someone in the room begins to sing, triggering a memory of a small cafe and a rendezvous with a woman named Mam'selle. The violins in the music were warm and sweet, just like Mam'selle herself. As the night danced by, a kiss turned into a sigh and the singer became lost in Mam'selle's sparkling eyes, which were compared to wine. The song ends on a bittersweet note, with the singer acknowledging that one day Mam'selle will say goodbye and the violins will cry, just as he will.
The song was originally composed by Edmund Goulding with lyrics by Mack Gordon in 1947. It was released as part of the soundtrack to the movie "The Razor's Edge" and was performed by Dick Haymes. In 1954, Desmond recorded his instrumental version of the song for his album "Desmond" as a tribute to Haymes.
Line by Line Meaning
It was Montmartre
The scene was set in the charming district of Montmartre in Paris, France.
It was midnight Come to think of it
This memory took place during the late hours of the night, now that I recall it.
It was spring
The season was spring, a time associated with new beginnings and blossoming life.
There was music I was listening
Soft, romantic music filled the air, capturing my attention.
Then in the room somewhere someone began to sing
As the melody continued, a voice joined in, adding to the enchanting atmosphere.
This serenade made for remembering
The song was so beautiful and poignant that it was impossible to forget it.
A small cafe, Mam'selle
We found ourselves in a cozy and intimate cafe, my dear.
Our rendezvous, Mam'selle
This was our planned meeting place, where we shared lovely moments together.
The violins were warm and sweet
The instruments playing were violins, producing a delightful and soothing sound.
And so were you, Mam'selle
Your presence was just as warm and sweet, my darling.
And as the night danced by
As time passed, we became more and more absorbed in each other's company, losing track of time.
A kiss became a sigh
Our innocent kiss was so full of emotion and passion that it made my heart ache with longing.
Your lovely eyes seemed to sparkle
Your beautiful eyes shone like stars, captivating me completely.
Just like wine does
Your eyes had the same effect on me as a lovely glass of fine wine, leaving me intoxicated and dizzy with desire.
No heart ever yearned the way mine does for you
I have never felt such a strong and intense longing for anyone else but you, my love.
And yet I know too well
Despite this, I am all too aware of the inevitable reality that we will eventually have to part ways.
Some day you'll say goodbye
The day will come when, sadly, we will have to bid each other farewell, my dear.
Then violins will cry
The violins that once played such sweet music will now weep with sorrow and grief.
And so will I, Mam'selle
I too, will mourn the loss of our love and the time we spent together in this magical place, my darling.
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
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