Country

:

United States of America

Birth

:

February 2, 1927 in Philadelphia, PA

Death

:

June 6, 1991 in Malibu, CA

 

Stan Getz was a renowned American jazz saxophonist who was born on February 2, 1927, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was the son of Ukrainian-Jewish immigrants who had migrated to the United States in the early 1900s. Getz's father was a pharmacist, and his mother was a homemaker. Getz grew up in the Bronx, New York, where he began playing the saxophone at the age of 13. Getz's musical talent was evident from an early age, and he quickly became a sought-after musician in the New York jazz scene. He played with several bands, including those led by Benny Goodman, Woody Herman, and Stan Kenton. In 1949, Getz joined the renowned jazz quartet led by pianist and composer, Woody Herman. It was during his time with Herman's band that Getz gained national recognition for his virtuosic saxophone playing. In 1950, Getz formed his own quartet, which included pianist Al Haig, bassist Tommy Potter, and drummer Roy Haynes. The quartet's first recording, "Stan Getz Quartets," was released in 1950 and was a critical and commercial success. The album featured several original compositions by Getz, including "Split Kick" and "Potter's Luck." Getz's popularity continued to grow throughout the 1950s, and he became known for his smooth, lyrical style of playing. In 1952, he recorded the album "Stan Getz Plays," which featured his rendition of the popular song "Moonlight in Vermont." The album was a commercial success and helped to establish Getz as one of the leading jazz musicians of his time. In 1957, Getz recorded the album "Getz/Gilberto" with Brazilian guitarist João Gilberto and pianist Antonio Carlos Jobim. The album, which featured the hit song "The Girl from Ipanema," was a groundbreaking fusion of jazz and Brazilian music and helped to popularize the bossa nova style in the United States. The album won several Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year, and is considered one of the greatest jazz albums of all time. Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, Getz continued to record and perform, collaborating with a wide range of musicians and exploring different styles of music. He recorded several albums with pianist Bill Evans, including "Stan Getz & Bill Evans" (1964) and "But Beautiful" (1974). He also recorded with saxophonist Charlie Byrd, guitarist Jim Hall, and pianist Chick Corea, among others. In addition to his collaborations with other musicians, Getz also recorded several albums as a bandleader, including "Captain Marvel" (1972) and "The Peacocks" (1975). He continued to tour and perform throughout the 1980s and 1990s, despite struggling with drug addiction and health issues. Getz was recognized for his contributions to jazz music with several awards and honors throughout his career. He won four Grammy Awards, including Best Jazz Performance by a Soloist for "Desafinado" (1962) and Best Jazz Instrumental Performance, Group for "The Best of Two Worlds" (1977). He was also inducted into the DownBeat Jazz Hall of Fame in 1966 and the International Jazz Hall of Fame in 1986. Getz passed away on June 6, 1991, at the age of 64, from liver cancer. He left behind a legacy as one of the greatest saxophonists in the history of jazz music, known for his smooth, lyrical style and his ability to blend different styles of music into his playing. His influence can be heard in the work of countless jazz musicians who have followed in his footsteps.

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