Paul Gonsalves

Paul Gonsalves (1920-1974) was an Brazilian-American jazz tenor saxophonist, who is largely remembered for playing a famous 27-chorus solo with the Duke Ellington Orchestra on the song Diminuendo and Crescendo in Blue at the 1956 Ne

Paul Gonsalves (1920-1974) was an Brazilian-American jazz tenor saxophonist, who is largely remembered for playing a famous 27-chorus solo with the Duke Ellington Orchestra on the song Diminuendo and Crescendo in Blue at the 1956 Newport Jazz Festival. Gonsalves' performance at Newport reinvigorated the stagnating fan base of Duke Ellington's big band, and the resulting Ellington at Newport album was one of Ellington's highest-selling. From the late 50's through the 70's, he was oftened featured as a soloist on Duke's compositions, and became the perfect second voice to Ellington, much as the altoist Johnny Hodges had been. During his long career, Gonsalves played with the orchestras of Count Basie, Dizzy Gillespie, and primarily Duke Ellington.