Paul Desmond composed “Take Five,” the famous jazz standard recorded by the Dave Brubeck Quartet.
The piece first appeared on the quartet’s 1959 album Time Out. Its unusual 5/4 meter helped make it distinctive, since most popular jazz of the period used more familiar meters such as 4/4 or 3/4. Desmond wrote the melody for the group’s alto saxophone, while drummer Joe Morello’s rhythmic ideas influenced the piece’s development.
Although the recording is strongly associated with Dave Brubeck, Brubeck did not compose it. Desmond was the quartet’s alto saxophonist and its principal melodic composer. The title refers to the musical meter and also suggests the phrase “take five,” meaning to take a short break.
“Take Five” became one of the best-selling jazz singles of all time and helped introduce modern jazz to a broad international audience.