In March 1975, Paul Desmond was scheduled to play Toronto's Bourbon Street with his "Canadian" rhythm section -- Ed Bickert, guitar; Don Thompson, bass; and Jerry Fuller, drums. Unfortunately Bickert's father had just died and he was unable to make the gig. Instead valve trombonist Rob McConnell (The Boss Brass) filled in for the week, apparently at Desmond's suggestion.

What did they play? Standards including: "Someday My Prince Will Come", "Emily", "Line for Lyons", "Too Marvellous for Words", "Audrey", "When Sunny Gets Blue", "My Funny Valentine", "Darn That Dream", "I Wish I Knew", and "I've Got You Under My Skin".

Jack Batten, in his Globe & Mail review, commented, "the combination of alto and valve trombone sounded irresistible.... McConnell soloed in his adept and highly personal way, playing jazz that was full of unpretentious ease and trucking swing.... His [Desmond's] tone is soft and sublime, and his solos are strung out in gentle undulations.... He's a wonderfully articulate musician.... You feel rewarded beyond anything you deserve."

Flash forward to the late 90s -- Don Thompson had recorded the sessions and for years bootleg audio cassettes had circulated amongst Desmond's fans. Finally it appeared that the material was going to be released on Sony Records. Doug Ramsey, a long-time jazz writer and personal friend of Desmond's was hired to do the liner notes. Photos were selected for the cover. Then the project moved to Concord Records. And then, when agreement was not able to be made with Desmond's estate, it fell apart. The material was locked away.

Will it ever get released? Who knows. It is probably the last "new" session featuring Paul Desmond that exists. There are numerous unreleased Brubeck encounters, possible alternate takes from his own recording sessions, and yet-unheard Bourbon Street material. But there are no other known musical encounters between Desmond and other musicians in the vaults. Hopefully the Desmond/McConnell sessions will see the light of day eventually.