But when you do find it, you'll hear Desmond in nearly peak form". Submit a correction or make a comment about this profile, Submit a correction or make a comment about this profile. Paul Desmond is widely recognized for his genius as a melodic improviser and as the benchmark of cool jazz sax players. Paul Desmond, whose alto saxophone was as essential to the Dave Brubeck Quartet as Mr. Brubeck's piano, died early yesterday at his home at 77 West 55th Street. The results came out not on A&M/Horizon but on producer John Snyder's tiny Artists House label, so this will be hard to find. '. He and Art Pepper were virtually the only alto players of their generation not directly influenced by Charlie Parker. [1][2], Allmusic reviewer by Richard S. Ginell said "After Desmond's death in May 1977, bassist Don Thompson went through the rejected tapes of the live sessions he, Desmond, guitarist Ed Bickert, and drummer Jerry Fuller had made in Toronto for the album The Paul Desmond Quartet Live and came up with an extra LP of fresh material. Paul Desmond is widely recognized for his genius as a melodic improviser and as the benchmark of cool jazz sax players. He came to prominence with the Dave Brubeck Quartet, which lasted from 1951 until 1967. AKA Paul Emil Breitenfeld. Born: 25-Nov-1924Birthplace: San Francisco, CADied: 30-May-1977Location of death: New York CityCause of death: Cancer - LungRemains: Cremated (ashes scattered), Gender: MaleRace or Ethnicity: WhiteSexual orientation: Straight [1]Occupation: Jazz Musician, Nationality: United StatesExecutive summary: Jazz alto saxophonist, Dave Brubeck Quartet, High School: San Francisco Polytechnic High School, San Francisco, CA    University: San Francisco State College, Dave Brubeck Quartet Saxophone (1951-67)    Big Band and Jazz Hall of Fame 1991    Risk Factors: LSD, Smoking, Do you know something we don't? 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. Interviewed by Desmond biographer Doug Ramsey, Desmond's first cousin Rick Breitenfeld said that n Paul Desmond (1924-1977) was a U.S jazz saxophonist. Sigmund Breitenfeld, a medical doctor, emigrated to New York City with his wife Hermine at the end of the 19th century, and the Breitenfelds raised their four children with no religion. His warm, elegant tone was one that he admittedly tried to make sound like a dry martini. Paul Desmond is an actor, known for Legends of the Fall (1994), A Civil Action (1998) and Glory (1989). Paul Desmond is more popular for his genius like a melodic improviser so when the standard of great jazz sax players. Paul Desmond, Soundtrack: Mighty Aphrodite. Paul Desmond was a Sagittarius and was born in the G.I.