Cool, not cool

Paul Conley (thanks, J Luc!) has produced a fine profile for NPR of the wistful alto, the “swinging introvert,” saxophonist Paul Desmond. Desmond wrote “Take Five,” which appeared on the Dave Brubeck Quartet’s phenomenally popular Time Out, the jazz record that broke out of the 4/4 groove. Brubeck and Desmond, with their laid-back West Coast sound, were my gateway into jazz in college (the only thing I heard at home was a little Cal Tjader), but lately I’ve listened more to their bebop and post-bop contemporaries. Maybe it’s time to go back and give another listen.