Quoting from the Arcadian Press sheet notes: "From the mid 1950's through 60's, Paul Desmond was an extremely popular alto saxophonist. He played in the style of "cool jazz". Named Paul Emile Breitenfeld, he picked his professional name "Desmond" at random from a telephone book. His father, who played organ for silent movies, taught Paul the rudiments of music. Later, as a student, at San Francisco State University, Desmond played the clarinet in the orchestra but he eventually concentrated on the alto saxophone. After military service in the late 40's he played with the bands of Jack Sheedy (1950) and Alvino Rey (1951) as well as free-lanced on the west coast. He joined the Dave Brubeck Quartet in 1951, playing in it until December, 1967 when the quartet disbanded. Desmond wrote several pieces for the quartet of which of which the popular 5/4 meter tune "Take Five" became their signature song.