Jazz Articles about Stan Getz

Stan Getz and Chet Baker: Quintessence, Volume II

by Ed Kopp
April 1, 2000

Since each man despised the other, it 's surprising Stan Getz (tenor sax) and Chet Baker (trumpet) agreed to tour Europe together in early 1983. In fact, Baker abandoned the tour mid-way through, reportedly because Getz couldn't stand being around him and made no bones about it. Since there was nothing graceful about their relationship, it's amazing how uncommonly graceful their musical collaborations were that winter.

Quintessence Volume II is the last known recording of Getz with Baker. Recorded live ...

Stan Getz Quartet with Chet Baker: Quintessence, Vol. 1

by Jack Bowers
February 1, 1999

So Stan Getz and Chet Baker weren’t the best of friends offstage. It’s what they accomplished onstage that is of greatest interest to Jazz historians and most other listeners. Apparently, they were able to set aside their personal differences long enough at least to make lovely music together, as they sometimes do on Quintessence, a concert session recorded in Baerum, Norway, in 1983, and now released on disc by Concord. We must use the qualifier “sometimes,” as far too much ...

Stan Getz Quartet With Chet Baker: Quintessence, Vol. 1

by Jim Santella
January 1, 1999

What a pair! Stan Getz and Chet Baker in 1983 before a live audience in Norway. Two icons of the jazz world performing standards. With talk of a pending feature-length movie about Chet Baker fresh on the horizon, remembering his clean trumpet sound and his singing voice at this time seems quite appropriate. Baker left us in 1988. Getz passed away in 1991. The Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation originally broadcast this performance, and Concord has recreated the sound exceptionally well for ...

Stan Getz: Change of Scenes

by John Sharpe
August 1, 1998

Recorded in Germany in 1971, Change of Scenes, features sax giant Stan Getz in session with one of jazz’s most innovative ensembles; the Kenny Clarke/Francy Boland Big Band. Originally available only in Europe, this historic recording is now part of Verve’s Elite Edition series. Francy Boland wrote and arranged the entire six song opus and though you are sure to recognize Getz’s distinctive tenor tone, Boland’s compositions place him in a setting unlike anything you’ve heard before. Although many of ...

Stan Getz: Soul Eyes

by John Sharpe
December 1, 1997

“Soul Eyes" is a companion piece to a CD released last year on Concord entitled “Yours and Mine". Recorded at the Glasgow Jazz Festival in 1989, it's a welcome addition to an impressive batch of albums that have been issued since Stan's death in 1991. Joining Stan on the bandstand are Ben Riley (drums), Ray Drummond (bass) and one of Stan's favorite pianists Kenny Barron. Along with providing solid accompaniment, Barron contributes “Voyage" and “Feijada", a pair of upbeat compositions ...

Stan Getz: Soul Eyes

by Robert Spencer
November 1, 1997

Stan Getz, ladies and gentlemen, Stan Getz. An improviser's improviser on the top of his game, never dropping the ball, never sweating, in total control of what he's doing at all times.

I reallyought to get out more, folks. You don't have to tell me about Jelly Roll or Satchmo or Duke, but Stan Getz, well, he's never been way up on my list. I mean, why not just play Lester Young records? But Lester wasn't around to record with ...