Paul Gonsalves

American jazz tenor saxophone player.

Born: 12 July 1920 in Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
Died: 14 May 1974 in London, England, UK (aged 53).

Gonsalves joined Count Basie's band in 1946, was briefly in Dizzy Gillespie's big band (1949-1950) before joining Duke Ellington. The long improvisation on "Diminuendo And Crescendo in Blue" at the Newport Jazz Festival in 1956 led to a comeback for Ellington's orchestra as a whole. Gonsalves stayed with Ellington for the rest of his career, but also recorded prolifically as a soloist with other groups and as a leader. Died nine days before Ellington, who was never told Gonsalves had died.

Father of Brainstorm band member Renell Gonsalves.