September 16, 2003
I am learning why I like Teachout so much
Today, Terry Teachout has posted an interesting post on Shostakovich, as well as a mention that Paul Desmond is his favorite jazz musician. I was in high school when Desmond made a huge impact on me (first with Brubeck's Time Out, then the rest). I still love to listen to the recordings he made with Dave Brubeck. Desmond was one of the most inventive alto saxaphonists ever. His conception of phrase was incredible. His relaxed tone hid some of the most complex melodies ever improvised.
I never got to see Paul Desmond live, as he died before I was going to jazz concerts, but I have seen Brubeck (even got to meet him once when he, Jerry Mulligan, and many other heroes of mine were on the same plane from New York to SF. I was returning home, they were coming over for Monterrey Jazz) many times. Brubeck with the talented reedman Bill Smith is fine, but there was something utterly irreplacable in Paul Desmond's sound. At least that sound was preserved on recordings!
Posted by erik at September 16, 2003 10:57 AM | TrackBackI have not yet heard it, but trust that it is good, as Brubeck is an amazingly good composer. I did not know he was with Maynard Ferguson alums. It has been awhile since I saw him (way too long, really).
Posted by: Erik Keilholtz at September 18, 2003 9:52 AMBrubeck's current group, with Bobby Millitello on reeds and Randy Jones on drums (both alumni of the Maynard Ferguson band), is excellent. Have you heard Brubeck's Mass? I'm only an ex-Catholic, so I can't judge its theological worth, but I love it musically (the best way to appreciate a piece of music, wouldn't you say?)
Posted by: John Salmon at September 18, 2003 12:23 AM