Stan Getz

About Stan Getz

Born Stanley Gayetzky in Philadelphia in 1927 to Ukrainian Jewish parents, Getz picked up the saxophone at age 13 and committed to it entirely, practicing eight hours daily. He moved quickly through the big band scene, working with Jack Teagarden, Woody Herman, and Benny Goodman before emerging as a bandleader in his own right around 1950. During the early 1950s, he developed a distinctive voice separate from his main influence, Lester Young, and became a consistent poll winner despite struggles with drug addiction. His 1958 album Focus with arranger Eddie Sauter's Orchestra remained his personal favorite.

Getz's most visible work came after 1961 when he partnered with guitarist Charlie Byrd, who had recently returned from Brazil. Their 1962 album Jazz Samba introduced American audiences to bossa nova, followed by Getz/Gilberto with Tom Jobim, João Gilberto, and Astrud Gilberto. That album's "The Girl from Ipanema" became one of the most recognizable Latin jazz pieces ever recorded, and Getz/Gilberto won two Grammys, defeating The Beatles' A Hard Day's Night. A personal affair with Astrud Gilberto ended that partnership, and Getz gradually moved back toward cool jazz and more experimental sounds.

In the 1970s, Getz experimented with fusion alongside Chick Corea and Stanley Clarke, though he eventually returned to acoustic jazz. He spent his final years working with pianist Kenny Barron and others in a less mainstream direction. The Groove Hunter currently tracks 5 editions of his releases, including Big Band Bossa Nova Verve Acoustic Sounds Series, Getz / Gilberto by Stan Getz & Joao Gilberto, and Getz Au Go Go.