November 25 would have been Paul Desmond’s 81st birthday. Less than two years before he died, he made a featured appearance at the 1975 Monterey Jazz Festival. He played Johnny Mandel’s “Emily” with an all-star rhythm section that included pianist John Lewis, bassist Richard Davis and guitarist Mundell Lowe. Exquisitely lyrical, even for Desmond, the performance might have justified his celebrated claim that he had won several awards for playing slowly. To see and hear it, click here.
Doug Ramsey on Jazz and other matters...
A beautiful solo – thanks for sharing it with us. By the way, who was the announcer voicing-over that clip? He sounded very familiar.
Jon Foley
IT SOUNDS LIKE JIMMY LYONS, THE CO-FOUNDER OF THE MONTEREY FESTIVAL AND FOR THE REST OF HIS LIFE ITS GUIDING SPIRIT.
DR
Thanks for pointing this out, it was wonderful stuff. John Lewis sounded so sympathetic.