Paul Gonsalves

While guitar was Gonsalves first instrument growing up in New Bedford, MA, he made his name in the jazz world with his emotional, high energy tenor sax playing. A long time member of the Duke Ellington Orchestra, Paul will forever be remembered by his 27-chorus solo at the 1956 Newport Jazz Festival on Ellington's song "Diminuendo and Crescendo in Blue.” It was credited with revitalizing Duke’s career.

[@ivofortuna4227]

An Icon. Incredible musician with great soul, tone and all action. One of the greatest tenors ever. Original style.

[@JazzVideoGuy]

Excellent video. Can't thank you enough for producing this.

[@tomchojnowski9215]

Every time I listen to the 1956 Newport Jazz Festival solo I get chills up my spine. His wealth of ideas were endless. When he plays a ballad it’s breathtaking. He had so much personality in his playing you could tell after about 5 notes it was Paul Gonsalves. Duke loved players that had “personally “ His band revolved around his players charismatic approach to their instruments.

[@donlalo70]

Proud of my Latino brother, Paul Gonsalves. Bravo Hermano.

[@albiondi4078]

GREAT GREAT MUSICIAN

[@walterkolosky1]

Not that I followed him that much due to my age, but I remember like it was yesterday, discovering jazz, listening to his recordings all the time on the WBRU overnight jazz radio program out of Brown University.

[@vitorg7249]

A great musician, I am proud that he has Portuguese roots.

[@ericmalone3213]

What is this "rating" that seems to go on constantly? Who has "underrated" Paul Gonsalves? If you know anything about music, within 30 seconds of Gonsalves playing, you know you're listening to a master. Falling asleep on the bandstand more than once is not such a tall tale as falling OFF the bandstand, which Paul did a couple of times. Ellingtonia is a special world that continues to move into the future. Duke is HERE, Gonsalves is HERE, Billy Strayhorne is HERE... The music only gets better with time.

[@andyquinn1125]

Dig'n those photos. Well done.

[@arsalanactor6821]

my love 😍 ❤️✌️💙🙏❤️🎷🎷🎷🎷👍🍷✌️

[@robertbonnici1464]

'Mex' was the greatest of all tenor saxophonists!!! Untouchable on fast temp solos and absolutely sublime on slow tempo ones. I;ve just never been able to get my head around why he has always been so underrated !!

[@ericmalone3213]

"So underrated" by whom, Sir?

[@tompetteruti250]

He studied guitar with my grandfather Joe Petteruti

[@davidmaslow399]

I think he was 36 when he died. He was born in 38 and died in 74

[@albiondi4078]

Paul was born in 1920 and died in 74 a couple of months before his 54th birthday way too young, in fact Paul died a few days before Duke himself in may of 74 also trombonist Tyree Glenn. Walter B Cooke funeral home in NYC had all three being viewed at the same time. Sad times for the music world!