Celebrating Paul Desmond’s birthday today on All That Jazz. He was born in 1924 in San Francisco, California, and became one of the most recognizable of all the alto saxophone players. This occurred in large part because of his composition “Take Five,” argualbel one of the most recognizable jazz tunes of all time and the first million-seller jazz single. It was first released in 1959 on the Dave Brubeck Quartet’s masterpiece Time Out. On of the memorable features of the Time Out album, certainly, is the album cover art by graphic artist and abstract expressionist S. Neil Fugita.
All That Jazz playlist for tonight’s show:
Joey DeFrancesco “Get It All” composed by DeFrancesco from Ballads And Blues (2002) on Muse — Joey DeFrancesco; organ; Paul Bollenback on guitar
Ray Charles “The Genius After Hours” composed by Ray Charles from The Genius After Hours (1961) on Atlantic — Ray Charles, piano; Oscar Pettiford, bass; Wileam Peeples, drums
Lester Young “Too Marvelous For Words” composed by Mercer from Lester Swings on Verve
Paul Desmond “Blight of the Fumble Bee” composed by Gerry Mulligan from Two of a Mind (1962) on Bluebird — Altoist Paul Desmond and baritonist Gerry Mulligan are featured in pianoless quartet with Wendell Marshall on bass, and Connie Kay on drums
Kenny Garrett “HAPPY PEOPLE” composed by Kenny Garrett from Happy People (2002) on Warner Jazz — Kenny Garrett, alto, leader; Vernell Brown, Jr., piano, Bobby Hutcherson, vibes, Michael “Patches” Stewart, trum, Marcus Miller, electric bass, Marcus Baylor, drums
Ron Carter “Someday My Prince Will Come” composed by Frank Churchill / Larry Morey from Dear Miles (2006) on Angel Records — Ron Carter, bass, leader; Pianist Stephen Scott drummer Payton Crossley and percussionist Roger Squitero
Jacky Terrasson “PLAISIR D’AMOUR” from A Paris… (2000) on Blue Note Records
Paul Desmond – “Blues for Fun” composed by Desmond from Easy Living (1965) on RCA Victor — Desmond, alto; Jim Hall, guitar; Gene Cherico, bass; Connie Kay, drums
Gerry Mulligan “What is there to say?” composed by Vernon Duke from What is there to say? (1959) on Columbia — Gerry Mulligan, bari; Art Farmer, bassist Bill Crow, and drummer Dave Bailey
Karrin Allyson “I Cover The Waterfront” composed by Silvers, VanHueson from Sweet Home Cookin’ (1994) on Concord Records
Johnny Smith “Un Poco Loco” composed by Bud Powell from The Sound of the Johnny Smith Guitar (1961) on Emi UK — drummer Ed Shaughnessy drum solo
Dave Pike “Big Foot” composed by Charlie Parker from Pike’s Groove (1986) on Criss Cross — Dave Pike, vibes, leader; pianist Cedar Walton, bassist David Williams, and drummer Billy Higgins
Stan Getz “A Time For Love” composed by Sam Coslow / Arthur Johnston from My Old Flame (1981) on Concord Records — Tenor saxophonist Stan Getz’ May 1981 appearance at San Francisco’s Keystone Corner backed by pianist Lou Levy, bassist Monty Budwig, and drummer Victor Lewis
Paul Desmond – “Things Ain’t What they Used to Be” composed by Ellington from The Paul Desmond Quartet Live (1975) on Verve — recorded live in Canada with guitarist Ed Bickert replacing Jim Hall; Bassist Don Thompson; Jerry Fuller on drums
Joshua Redman Quartet “OBSESSION” composed by Redman from Mood Swing (1994) on Warner Bros.
Art Pepper “Funny Blues” from Pepper Returns (2012) on Chameleon Archive
Bobby Hutcherson “NEVER LET ME GO” composed by B. Hutcherson from Vibe Wise (2009) on Savoy Jazz
Russell Malone “Get Out Of Town” composed by Russell Malone from Look Who’s Here (2000) on Verve
Charles Mingus “Old Portrait” composed by Charles Mingus from Charles Mingus’ Finest Hour
Call and Response 