The Dave Brubeck Quartet was an American jazz band formed in 1951 by pianist Dave Brubeck. The quartet, which also included Paul Desmond on alto saxophone, is best known for its use of unusual time signatures, a distinctive feature of its style. Their experimental approach helped popularize cool jazz, a subgenre characterized by relaxed tempos and lighter tone. The quartet's most notable work, "Take Five," became a jazz standard, demonstrating their significant influence on the genre.