Best known for his role in The Dave Brubeck Quartet, alto saxophonist Paul Desmond brought exquisite softness and malleability to the band across three decades—including his dance-on-air contribution to 1959's earworm hit “Take Five,” which he also composed. Before his death in 2012, Desmond also lent sighing poignancy to both Art Garfunkel's meta ballad “Mr. Shuck ‘N' Jive” and several albums by Chet Baker, a fellow linchpin of cool jazz.