Reed players inspired by Paul Desmond

[Rabshakeh]

Are there any reed players who claim primary inspiration or some other form of artistic descent from Paul Desmond?

I'm always struck by how much I love his playing every time I listen to his records.

[jazzbo]

I wouldn't say Immanuel Wilkins "claims primary inspiration" from Desmond--I'd be very surprised if he did--but I hear strong elements of his sound at time in Wilkin's own sound. I love them both.

[Niko]

Michael Moore was the first name that came to my mind

[Rabshakeh]

1 hour ago, Niko said:

Michael Moore was the first name that came to my mind

That's interesting. The dutch player? Did he say this somewhere?

I sort of missed Clusone at the time, and I have never really got to grips with his music as a result, although I always enjoyed their records. 

[Niko]

Yes, American based in the Netherlands... I've read that comparison often but I wouldn't know of an interview where he says this himself....

Btw Lewis Porter has an interesting pair of posts on why Brubeck has not been much of an influence on other pianist

https://lewisporter.substack.com/t/brubeckdave

[Rabshakeh]

16 minutes ago, Niko said:

Yes, American based in the Netherlands... I've read that comparison often but I wouldn't know of an interview where he says this himself....

Btw Lewis Porter has an interesting pair of posts on why Brubeck has not been much of an influence on other pianist

https://lewisporter.substack.com/t/brubeckdave

I didn't know he was American. 

Brubeck I can understand. Who in 2026 really loves his style?

[jlhoots]

Ted Nash maybe - not sure.

[Peter Friedman]

Alto Player  Allen Mezuida

[HutchFan]

Will Vinson.

Brent Jensen.

[mikeweil]

On 2/21/2026 at 2:01 PM, Niko said:

Btw Lewis Porter has an interesting pair of posts on why Brubeck has not been much of an influence on other pianist

https://lewisporter.substack.com/t/brubeckdave

Thanks for linking this. It confirms what I think about why someone with a straightahead jazz attitude may not like or understand Brubeck.

[Dub Modal]

Whenever I hear the smooth jazz of the past decades up to current times, I hear Desmond influence all over those sax players. Whether the players themselves would cite him or not I have no idea. Take Ten to me is a proto-smooth jazz record. 

[Rabshakeh]

On 2/21/2026 at 5:06 PM, HutchFan said:

Will Vinson.

Brent Jensen.

I don't know these two. What records do you recommend? 

2 hours ago, Dub Modal said:

Whenever I hear the smooth jazz of the past decades up to current times, I hear Desmond influence all over those sax players. Whether the players themselves would cite him or not I have no idea. Take Ten to me is a proto-smooth jazz record. 

Really...? I think it is fair to say that I don't hear this at all. 

[HutchFan]

23 minutes ago, Rabshakeh said:

I don't know these two. What records do you recommend? 

Will Vinson:

 

Brent Jensen:

[Simon8]

Desmond crossed my mind while listening to this today (Desmond, the secret Tristanoite?:)

Edited February 23 by Simon8

[clifford_thornton]

Braxton has stated Desmond was an early influence, though he moved on from (or greatly expanded upon) that page in a lot of ways. When I interviewed him, he still spoke lovingly of Desmond.

[Rabshakeh]

8 minutes ago, clifford_thornton said:

Braxton has stated Desmond was an early influence, though he moved on from (or greatly expanded upon) that page in a lot of ways. When I interviewed him, he still spoke lovingly of Desmond.

Oh yeah. I forgot Braxton. 

14 hours ago, Simon8 said:

Desmond crossed my mind while listening to this today (Desmond, the secret Tristanoite?:)

What are these records? I can't find this one on Discogs. Is it part of a series? And if so do you recommend them?

[Simon8]

Oh it was my first time listening to it (streaming, Deezer)! I don't know Rasmussen at all 😅 It was recently issued (I picked up on it right here: 

 

[Rabshakeh]

23 minutes ago, Simon8 said:

Oh it was my first time listening to it (streaming, Deezer)! I don't know Rasmussen at all 😅 It was recently issued (I picked up on it right here: 

 

Thanks

[ghost of miles]

1 hour ago, clifford_thornton said:

Braxton has stated Desmond was an early influence, though he moved on from (or greatly expanded upon) that page in a lot of ways. When I interviewed him, he still spoke lovingly of Desmond.

Beat me to it! Braxton was the first person I thought of when I saw the subject heading. Iirc he talks about meeting Desmond in Forces in Motion.

[medjuck]

3 hours ago, ghost of miles said:

Beat me to it! Braxton was the first person I thought of when I saw the subject heading. Iirc he talks about meeting Desmond in Forces in Motion.

Also he did one side of an Lp with Brubeck (IIRC the other side had Lee Konitz.)