Paul Desmond

Paul Desmond (born Paul Emil Breitenfeld; November 25 1924 – May 30 1977) was an American jazz alto saxophonist and composer born in San Francisco best known for the work he did in the Dave Brubeck Quartet and for penning that group's greatest hit "Take Five". After convincing Brubeck to hire him following his stint with Jack Fina the two had a contract drafted (of which Brubeck was the sole signatory); the language forbade Brubeck from ever firing him ensured Brubeck's status as group leader and gave Desmond twenty percent of all profits generated from the quartet. The group played until 1967 when Brubeck switched his musical focus from performance to composition and broke the unit up.

After years of chain smoking and general poor health Desmond succumbed to lung cancer in 1977 following one last tour with Brubeck. In addition to his work with Brubeck he led several of his own groups and did significant collaborations with artists such as Gerry Mulligan Jim Hall and Chet Baker.