Paul Desmond

Paul Desmond
Desmond (right) with Dave Brubeck, 1962
Desmond (right) with Dave Brubeck, 1962
Background information
Birth namePaul Emil Breitenfeld
Born(1924-11-25)November 25, 1924
San Francisco, California, U.S.
DiedMay 30, 1977(1977-05-30) (aged 52)
New York City, U.S.
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Musician
  • composer
  • arranger
Instrument(s)
Years active1940s–1977
Labels
Formerly ofThe Dave Brubeck Quartet

Paul Desmond (born Paul Emil Breitenfeld; November 25, 1924 – May 30, 1977) was an American jazz alto saxophonist and composer and proponent of cool jazz. He was a member of the Dave Brubeck Quartet and composed that group's biggest hit, "Take Five".

In addition to his work with Brubeck, he led several groups and collaborated with Gerry Mulligan, Chet Baker, Jim Hall, and Ed Bickert. After years of chain smoking and poor health, Desmond succumbed to lung cancer in 1977 after a tour with Brubeck.