Paul Desmond

After Stan Getz, Paul Desmond was the saxophonist with the strongest affinity for bossa nova. Desmond, who enjoyed verbal puns, came up with this LP's title to let people know that Rio's "new beat" had suddenly made him a part of the "old" jazz wave (he also exchanges Rio's Ipanema with N.Y.C's tough thoroughfares on "The Girl From East 9th Street"). Desmond and guitarist Jim Hall playing with different all-star rhythm sections? You can't lose.