Milton, of all people, gave the most perfect definition of the state of mind required to play jazz: ' with wanton heed and giddy cunning.' That's how you play jazz. — Paul Desmond Copy Share Image
I think I had it in the back of my mind that I wanted to sound like a dry martini. — Paul Desmond Copy Share Image
The qualities in music which I considered most important - and still do - were beauty, simplicity, originality, discrimination, and sincerity. — Paul Desmond Copy Share Image
I'm glad [Ornette Coleman] is such an individualist. I like the firmness of thought and purpose that goes into what he's doing, even though… — Paul Desmond Copy Share Image
We used to get on planes, and they'd ask who we were, and we'd say, 'The Dave Brubeck Quartet', and they'd say, 'Who?' In… — Paul Desmond Copy Share Image
I would like to thank my father who discouraged me from playing the violin at an early age. — Paul Desmond Copy Share Image
I would also like to thank my father who discouraged me from playing the violin at an early age. — Paul Desmond Copy Share Image
We're working as if it were going out of style-which of course it is. — Paul Desmond Copy Share Image
Sometimes I get the feeling that there are orgies going on all over new York City, and somebody says, 'Let's call Desmond,' and somebody… — Paul Desmond Copy Share Image
Our basic audience begins with creaking elderly types of twenty-three and above. — Paul Desmond Copy Share Image
Not for me. If I want to tune everybody out, I just take off my glasses and enjoy the haze. — Paul Desmond Copy Share Image
I discovered early in life that if you take gym first period, you can go into the wrestling room and sit in the corner… — Paul Desmond Copy Share Image
![“I'm glad [Ornette Coleman] is such an individualist. I like the firmness of thought and purpose that goes into what he's doing, even though I don't always like to listen to it. It's like living in a house where everything's painted red.” quote by Paul Desmond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/fd0/paul-desmond-29592_firmness_i-m-glad-ornette-coleman-is-such-an-indi_269489.jpg)
