![]() I shudder to think how close we came to not using that, because I said, 'Well I got this theme that we could use for a middle part.' And Dave said, 'Well let's run it through.' And that's what made 'Take Five'.” (Pure Desmond, 2005) And the thing that makes 'Take Five' work is the bridge, which we almost didn't use. I was ready to trade the entire rights, lifetime-wise of 'Take Five' for a used Ronson electric razor. Ironically, the song was almost a passing thought for it's author Desmond stated, “At the time I really thought it was kind of a throw-away. It was in this context, in 1959, that Desmond turned out the quartet's magnum opus, and one of the most popular jazz tunes ever written, the uber-cool “Take Five.” (Pure Desmond, 2005) Commercially a massive success, the group toured extensively, playing over 300 shows a year, and secured a contract with Columbia Records for four albums each year. (Jurek, 2004)ġ951 saw the creation of the Dave Brubeck Quartet, with Desmond, drummer Joe Morello and bassist Eugene Wright. He particularly enjoyed Desmond's adeptness at improvised counterpoint: “ jump from the high register and answer himself in the low register.” (NPR, 2008) It was this sharp contrast between the pianist's large, complex chords and Desmond's melodic, intricate soloing that pushed the pair into new musical zones, and created textures not heard before in jazz. ![]() A lot of funny things would happen while we were playing that would amaze both of us,” Brubeck recollected. ![]() It was here that the two began to sharpen their instincts as a musical pair. With the group generating few gigs, the octet was soon disbanded, but Brubeck quickly organized a trio, playing at San Francisco's Geary Cellar, where Desmond often sat in. (NPR, 2008)īrubeck and Desmond would play together as college students in the mid-'40s, as part of Brubeck's little-known octet, playing experimental music centered around the classical elements of modern jazz. ![]() It was at San Francisco's Presidio Army Base that Desmond first played alongside Brubeck although Brubeck's attempt to enter the Army band fell short, this meeting would set the stage for the duo's future collaborations. Desmond played violin and clarinet throughout high school, but switched to alto saxophone at 19 years of age, the same year he would be drafted for the Army. ![]() His father, an organist, also arranged music for the Golden Gate Theater in their native San Francisco. Born Paul Emil Breitenfield, on November 25, 1924, Desmond's musical background was fostered throughout his childhood. ![]()
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