As the featured alto saxophonist in the Dave Brubeck quartet, Paul Desmond was a central figure in the most commercially successful jazz ensemble of the time. As the sole horn in the group he attracted considerable critical and public acclaim for his supremely lyrical, sublimely melodic playing. But even a beloved sideman has to step into the full glare of the spotlight at times. The 1961 'Desmond Blue' matched the saxophonist with a string orchestra and outstanding arrangements by Bob Prince for a set of exquisitely rendered classics including a memorable "My Funny Valentine". Five of the six albums feature melodic guitar giant Jim Hall, his ideal musical partner. Paul Desmond was a master at Bossa Nova, heard here on both the 'Bossa Antigua' and 'Take Ten' albums.
5 The Theme from Black Orpheus (Manha de Carnaval)
6 Nancy (With the Laughing Face)
7 Samba de Orfeo
8 The One I Love Belongs to Somebody Else
9 Out of Nowhere
10 Embarcadero (Alternate Version)
11 El Prince (Alternate Take)
- Disc 3 -
1 Bossa Antigua
2 The Night Has a Thousand Eyes
3 4 O Gato
4 Samba Cantina
5 Curaçao Doloroso
6 A Ship Without a Sail
7 Alianca
8 The Girl from East 9th Street
9 The Night Has a Thousands Eyes (Alternate Version)
10 Samba Cepeda
11 O Gato (Alternate Version)
- Disc 4 -
1 Glad to Be Unhappy
2 Poor Butterfly
3 A Stranger in Town
4 A Taste of Honey
5 Any Other Time
6 Hi-Lili, Hi-Lo
7 Angel Eyes
8 By the River St. Marie
9 All Across the City
10 All Through the Night
- Disc 5 -
1 When Joanna Loved Me
2 That Old Feeling
3 Polka Dots and Moonbeams
4 Here's That Rainy Day
5 Easy Living
6 I've Grown Accustomed to Her Face
7 Bewitched
8 Blues for Fun
9 Rude Old Man
10 Polka Dots and Moonbeams (Alternate Version)
11 Bewitched (Alternate Take)
- Disc 6 -
1 All the Things You Are
2 Stardust
3 Two of a Mind
4 Blight of the Fumble Bee
5 The Way You Look Tonight
6 Out of Nowhere
7 Easy Living
8 All the Things You Are (Alternate Take)
9 The Way You Look Tonight (Alternate Take)
10 Untitled Blues Waltz
11 Untitled Blues Waltz
As the featured alto saxophonist in the Dave Brubeck quartet, Paul Desmond was a central figure in the most commercially successful jazz ensemble of the time. As the sole horn in the group he attracted considerable critical and public acclaim for his supremely lyrical, sublimely melodic playing. But even a beloved sideman has to step into the full glare of the spotlight at times. The 1961 'Desmond Blue' matched the saxophonist with a string orchestra and outstanding arrangements by Bob Prince for a set of exquisitely rendered classics including a memorable "My Funny Valentine". Five of the six albums feature melodic guitar giant Jim Hall, his ideal musical partner. Paul Desmond was a master at Bossa Nova, heard here on both the 'Bossa Antigua' and 'Take Ten' albums.