67 years ago today, ‘Take Five’ by Dave Brubeck Quartet was released as a single. It went on to become the best-selling jazz single of the 20th century.

While the Dave Brubeck Quartet performed it, the track was actually written by their brilliant alto saxophonist, Paul Desmond.

One interesting detail: although “Take Five” is his most famous recording, it was actually composed by the quartet’s saxophonist Paul Desmond, not Brubeck.

celebrate by listening to it for an hour here

Paul Desmond, by far, the greatest saxophone player ever!

Gorgeous song

@1loriking In the late 2000’s, I saw him perform in a small theatre, ~560 seats. He needed to be helped to the piano. He could barely stand, let alone walk. I thought this is going to be bad. But, the problems he had standing, didn’t affect his hands. It was an amazing experience.

Take Five was a musical epiphany

❤️❤️❤️

🙏

Now I hate this song, its in every single Jazz playlist in Spotifym

This is such a great album, I love all of your musical choices & plenty others outside of Jazz, r&B, funk, neo soul….music is life

Saw them play this in New Orleans many moons ago. Mesmerizing and unforgettable.

Paul Desmond on sax in his prime.

And the reason? It's a musical tutelage of brilliance.

Bill Evans on piano.

Take Five is one of my favorite song and Al Jarreau's version? Superb 🤌🏾

Note. Best-selling jazz album overall: Miles Davis — Kind of Blue. As a participant in Black American (#ADOS) music he made a contribution to the genre that is beloved the world over..

Absolutely iconic.

I just find this type of “jazz” kind of cold and soulless. Never liked it.

This is part of my playlist. Love this piece

I didn’t know that song was so old. I hear it on smooth jazz stations all the time.

Masterful!

A forever classic 🙌🏿

It’s rare that anything in an odd meter like 5/4 gets popular enough to break mainstream

Never cared for the drums in this song. I dunno…..