Memories of Stan Getz

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Comment by Denis Ouellet on July 20, 2008 at 7:06pm

From Bill Crow's delightful "Jazz Anecdotes" book.
Bill was Stan's bass player during the fifties.


Mel Tormé tells about a musician that Stan Getz offered to hire
at the Copa Club in Pittsburg:

The engagement went well, and one night, in walked José Ferrer, the Broadway Wunderkind. He was a jazz buff, and after my last performance of the evening he suggested that we slip across the street to the Carousel, where Stan Getz was fronting a quartet. Getz was his miraculous self on tenor, and late in his set he invited me to play drums with the group.
As I rose, Joe Ferrer whispered to me, almost pleadingly. "Ask him if I could sit in on piano. Please!".
As I settled behind the drums, I asked Stan if my friend could join us. Getz nodded, and Joe practically leapt onto the small bandstand. We decided on "Indiana", and when Joe's solo turn came, he knocked us all out with his playing.
I was only minimally surprised. Joe Ferrer could-and can-do anything. At the end of the final chorus, there was a roar from the crowd, and Joe had earned his share of it. We went back to our table, and when Ferrer excused himself to go to the
men's room, Getz came over.
"Hey, man," he asked, "who's the old cat?"
"Old cat?" I laughed. "Stanley that's José Ferrer. He pulls down about a grand a week on Broadway".
Getz shrugged, looked around, and said offhandedly, "Makes no difference to me, If he wants to play with my group, he'll have to work for scale!"
Getz was dead serious.


Denis

Comment by Denis Ouellet on July 15, 2008 at 4:26pm

During Stan last meeting with Lester, at the Blue Note in Paris in 1959.
Taken from "Nobody Else But Me" David Gelly's book.
` .., he encountered Lester propping up the bar. Fixing Getz with a long gaze,
Lester said "Lady Getz you're my singer". `

Comment by Geoff Sims (not related to Zoot} on June 29, 2008 at 5:59am

Hi Bev
I see I'm the only one without a photo.
Had difficulty sending one but will try again.
All the best
Geoff

Comment by Denis Ouellet on June 25, 2008 at 5:20pm

Thanks Stan and Bev for sharing these stories.
Really touching.

Denis

Comment by Bev Getz on June 25, 2008 at 11:06am

OOPPPS!!! SORRY FOR THE LARGE FONT!!! MY BAD!!

Comment by Bev Getz on June 25, 2008 at 11:01am

One of our members here, "Stan", from PA wrote me a message which I am taking the liberty of sharing some of it here as it really touched me! I love to hear folks tell their stories and share their memories! I helps to 'personalize' Dad, and show some insight into him as a person aside from the musician!

Thank you Stan (NV!) for sharing your memories!

"Bev I started listening to Stan in approx 1945...on a local radio station..in Philadelphia...the Oscar Treadwell show.
Years later I was driving on Roosevelt Blvd in Phila......and believe it or not....Stan sped by me...in a blue convertable...with several girls in the car. I shouted and waived...and he waived back.
This was close to the time Stan was in that move...called..I believe the Benny Goodman story...with Steve Allen.
Another time I was in a club where Stan was playing...and I must have applauded so loud that he looked over to me...smiled...and sent over a drink.


Back in the 50"s Stan played at a hall in So Phila....and his parents were collecting tickets at the door. I'll never forget this. I also remember that Percy Heath was Stans bass player.

Thru the years I had the opportunity to talk..however briefly...with Stan...when he had gigs in and around Philadelphia.
He once told me he should have listened to his parents...and become a doctor. (this was at the Red Hill Inn in New Jersey...on Lincolns birthday) I'll never forget it.

Comment by Denis Ouellet on June 21, 2008 at 7:05pm

"I went up to Stan Kenton and I said to him, 'What do you think of Lester Young's
playing ?' And he said, 'Not interesting.Too simple.'
And that night I gave my notice in."

Stan Getz on leaving Kenton's band in 1945.

Comment by Gandalfe on June 7, 2008 at 11:34am

Another quote from Stan:

The saxophone is an imperfect instrument, especially the tenor and soprano, as far as intonation goes. The challenge is to sing on an imperfect instrument that is outside of your body.

Comment by Denis Ouellet on May 22, 2008 at 11:42pm

A quote from Stan

"I can play different styles...its fun swingin' and getting 'hot' for a change instead of trying to be cool...
I can be a real stompin' tenor man".

Listening to a concert in the Netherlands in the 70's.
Well he was that on Stan's Blues.

Denis

Comment by Denis Ouellet on May 22, 2008 at 11:41pm

Didier,

That show on French TV.
I downloaded that clip which was made on Feb 26 1969. But it is only viewable on a DIVX player. You can't play it without creating an account with DIVX.
Stan is heard/seen accompanying a singer. It's called Samba non identifiee.
Maybe somebody can have more luck, but this clip is heavily protected against copying. Stanley Cowell is on piano, Miroslav Vitous bass and Jack DeJohnette on drums.
The announcer first talks with Stan at the beginning of the show.

Denis

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