Paul Desmond Quotes

Paul Desmond was an American jazz alto saxophonist and composer, best known for his work with the Dave Brubeck Quartet and for composing that group's biggest hit, "Take Five". He was one of the most popular musicians to come out of the cool jazz scene.

In addition to his work with Brubeck, he led several groups and collaborated with Gerry Mulligan, Chet Baker, Jim Hall, and Ed Bickert. After years of chain smoking and poor health, Desmond succumbed to lung cancer in 1977 after a tour with Brubeck. Wikipedia  

✵ 25. November 1924 – 30. May 1977
Paul Desmond photo
Paul Desmond: 12   quotes 1   like

Famous Paul Desmond Quotes

“I think I had it in the back of my mind that I wanted to sound like a dry martini.”

About his distinctive light sound
Unsourced

“I hate the way he writes. I kind of love the way he lives, though.”

On writer Jack Kerouac
Unsourced

“I could only write at the beach, and I kept getting sand in my typewriter.”

His reason for not pursuing a literary career
Unsourced

“You're beginning to sound like a cross between David Frost and David Susskind, and that is a cross I cannot bear.”

His response to the annoying banality of an interviewer
Unsourced

Paul Desmond Quotes

“I tried practicing for a few weeks and ended up playing too fast.”

About the value of practice
Unsourced

“Well, that I'm not playing better.”

When asked by Gene Lees what accounted for the melancholy in his playing
Unsourced

“I was unfashionable before anyone knew who I was.”

About his playing style
Unsourced

Similar authors

John Coltrane photo
John Coltrane 4
American jazz saxophonist
Frank Zappa photo
Frank Zappa 129
American musician, songwriter, composer, and record and fil…
Bob Dylan photo
Bob Dylan 523
American singer-songwriter, musician, author, and artist
Kurt Cobain photo
Kurt Cobain 158
American musician and artist
Nikki Sixx photo
Nikki Sixx 22
American musician
Jimi Hendrix photo
Jimi Hendrix 52
American musician, singer and songwriter
Bruce Willis photo
Bruce Willis 8
American actor, producer, and musician
Charles Manson photo
Charles Manson 53
American criminal and musician
F. Scott Fitzgerald photo
F. Scott Fitzgerald 411
American novelist and screenwriter
David Bowie photo
David Bowie 105
British musician, actor, record producer and arranger