Stan Getz 
1927-1991
tenor saxophone

Back to:

 For decades Stan Getz was one of America's top tenor saxophone players. His main early influence was Lester Young, but he grew up to become a major influence himself. His instantly recognisable tone and his polished playing earned him the nickname "The Sound". Born in 1927 he was a teenager in WW II and received a thourough training in the big bands of  Jack Teagarden, Stan Kenton, Jimmy Dorsey  and Woody Herman. It was during this last period (with the Herman Band) that he became a star, soloing (alongside Zoot Sims, Herbie Steward and Serge Chaloff) on the original version of "Four Brothers". Early in the 1950s with his own group Getz became a front runner of what was called the West Coast movement. Notable are the two quartets he formed in 50-51, the second of which introduced Horace Silver. World-wide popularity came later in the 60s through his move into Brazillian music and Latin rhythms. This resulted in a highly popular series of recordings, in a style that became known as bossa nova. Getz's version of "Desafinado" with Charlie Byrd was a huge hit, but it was his collaboration with Joao Gilberto on the album "Getz/Gilberto" that was his biggest seller, mainly because of "The Girl from Ipanema" featuring the vocals of Astrud Gilberto. Very soon after this Latin period, Getz changed direction and decided to play more challenging Jazz. Notable collaborations with Bill Evans (1964) and Chick Corea (1967) in particular need mentioning. He experimented with fusion, but returned to acoustic Jazz upon signing with Concord in 1981. His final recording "People Time" is a brilliant duet set with pianist Kenny Barron. Stan Getz died in 1991.

 

Recommended recordings  
Read reviews, view the cover, listen to samples and buy the album with
 
* People Time Verve 510-823
* Stan Getz Quartets OJC 121-2 - Prestige 7002
* The Artistry of  (Best of the Verve years) Vol 1  Verve 511-468
* The Artistry of  (Best of the Verve years) Vol 2 Verve 511-469
* Getz / Gilberto Mobile Fidelity 607
* Serenity EmArcy 838-770
* Stan Getz and the Oscar Peterson Trio Verve
* At the Opera House Stan Getz and J.J. Johnson Verve
* Jazz Samba Stan Getz & Charlie Byrd Verve
* West Coast Jazz Verve
* The Essential Stan Getz Mercury