What makes Summertime by Paul Desmond notable?

Summertime is notable for its successful fusion of jazz with popular standards and bossa nova rhythms, contributing to the genre's evolution in the late 1960s. The album received critical acclaim and has been recognized for its innovative arrangements and Desmond's melodic improvisation, solidifying his reputation as a leading figure in contemporary jazz. Released in 1969, Summertime marked Paul Desmond's return to the recording scene after his successful tenure with the Dave Brubeck Quartet. This album showcased his distinctive lyrical saxophone style and exploration into more diverse influences, reflecting a period of artistic maturation for Desmond.

How many songs are on Summertime?

Summertime has 10 tracks, running approximately 40 minutes.

Summertime

Paul Desmond · 1969

40 min · 10 tracks · jazz

A smooth blend of jazz and bossa nova, highlighted by Desmond's ethereal saxophone melodies and intricate arrangements.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Samba With Some Barbecue — This track opens the album with a lively rhythm that perfectly blends jazz and Brazilian influences, showcasing Desmond's playful saxophone style.
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Emily — Desmond's rendition of this classic ballad highlights his ability to evoke emotion through nuanced phrasing, making it a standout on the record.
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Summertime — The title track features a hauntingly beautiful interpretation of Gershwin's classic, demonstrating Desmond's signature sound and interpretive depth.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

Instrumental

63 /100

Treeline

Higher than 74% of albums we've rated

The album successfully blends jazz and bossa nova, showcasing Desmond's lyrical style while maintaining strong cohesion.

What we noticed

The album features a consistent use of bossa nova rhythms across several tracks, creating a laid-back atmosphere.
Desmond's saxophone melodies are often accompanied by intricate guitar and piano arrangements that enhance the harmonic depth.
Each track maintains a smooth transition into the next, with careful attention to pacing that keeps the listener engaged.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 8/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 Samba With Some Barbecue 4:31
2 Olividar 5:38
3 Ob‐La‐Di, Ob‐La‐Da 2:19
4 Emily 4:49
5 Someday My Prince Will Come 3:11
6 Autumn Leaves 3:04
7 Where Is Love? 5:36
8 Lady in Cement 3:11
9 North by Northwest 4:34
10 Summertime 3:57

What to play next

Listen next

Bridge over Troubled Water

1970

Go back to

From the Hot Afternoon

1969

Full Paul Desmond discography Artists like Paul Desmond

jazz

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata