Today we celebrate the incredible Paul Desmond, born in San Francisco in 1924! Known for his smooth, airy saxophone sound and his groundbreaking composition Take Five, Desmond was a pivotal force in jazz as a key member of the Dave Brubeck Quartet. Together, they brought jazz to new audiences with albums like Time Out and Jazz at Oberlin. To honor his legacy, check out the Dave Brubeck Quartet's 1965 performance from the RTBF Archives—https://videos.qwest.tv/content/dave-brubeck-quartet-rtbf-arc

Born on this day in 1924, Paul Desmond (November 25, 1924 - May 30, 1977) went on to become one of the most distinctive alto saxophonists in jazz history. Desmond's 30-year-long connection with Dave Brubeck, most notably as a member of the Dave Brubeck Quartet from 1951 - 1967, included writing one of the most well-known and best-selling jazz songs of all time, "Take Five." Nearly 30 years after Paul Desmond's passing, Dave Brubeck reflected on their relationship for Doug Ramsey's authoritative

It's been 40 years since we lost saxophone legend Paul Desmond. Watch him explain why he left music, and how he returned in this 1976 interview with Mary Lou Finlay. | CBC Music

Take Five 🎷🕔 The iconic jazz standard by Paul Desmond for The Dave Brubeck Quartet’s 1959 album Time Out, known for its unusual 5/4 time signature and the first jazz single to sell a million copies. A classic that invites you to take a break and enjoy the groove 🎵 | Jazz Foundation of America