Paul Desmond - The Complete Albums Collection (1953-1963) [4CD Box Set, 2018]

Best known as a member of Dave Brubeck's legendary quartet and the man who wrote the biggest-selling jazz single ever, 'Take Five', Paul Desmond's importance as a jazz performer cannot be underestimated. A master of the alto saxophone as well as a consummate composer and musician, Desmond was a pivotal figure on the West Coast cool jazz scene. His time with Brubeck produced some of the most critically-acclaimed recordings in history, in particular the magnificent Time Out (Columbia, 1959). However, Desmond was also an accomplished bandleader in his own right, with the material released during the early part of his career remaining among his finest work. Paul Desmond remained active throughout the rest of his career, producing a multitude of albums and performing live with Dave Brubeck, Chet Baker, Gerry Mulligan, Jim Hall, Ed Bickert and The Modern Jazz Quartet among others. Sadly, his career was cut short, following a diagnosis of terminal lung cancer in the mid '70s. He gave his final performance in New York in February 1977, and passed away on 30th May that year at the age of 52. One of his final studio appearances was on Art Garfunkel's Watermark album. This collection brings together the entirety of Paul Desmond's output as leader or co-leader between 1953 and 1963, a catalogue totaling more than five hours of music, presented here across four discs. Collating nine original albums, this set serves as the perfect introduction to this master musician and composer, as well as providing a welcome reminder to those already versed in the great man's work.