Emil Breitenfeld

American pianist, arranger, composer, and theater organist (born February 19, 1888 in New York, NY – died April 19, 1964 in San Francisco, CA). Breitenfeld served as a Lieutenant in the U.S. army during World War I. He was discharged in May 1919. By the spring of 1920, he settled in San Francisco with his wife, Shirley King, accompanying silent films on the theater organ and writing arrangements for stage shows. He was described as a “sarcastic, very smart, extraordinarily talented musical guy.” Breitenfeld was the father of Paul Desmond (born Paul Emil Breitenfeld), the alto saxophonist of the Dave Brubeck Quartet.