Quotes from Stan Getz

by Denis Ouellet

Jun 9, 2009

Stan has been quoted quite a few times. We are lucky he gave out quite a few interviews.
From this we can see first hand his thoughts and views.

Would like to talk about this one

“There are four qualities essential to a great jazzman. They are taste, courage, individuality, and irreverence.
These are the qualities I want to retain in my music.”

I wonder what Stan meant by irreverence. The dictionnary says "lack of respect".
Not sure that's what he really meant to say ? Right ?

Denis
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  • up

    Denis Ouellet

    Here is another quote from a 1983 Montreal Jazz festival concert by Stan.

    When asked how many Stan Getz he has met during his career, Stan replies:
    "Many. Many have copied my style. Actually, what happened was that I influenced a lot of musicians.
    But, I am hard to copy... My style is far too simple!"

    Apr 25, 2010

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    claire

    Joining the discussion very late, but I was about to make a similar comment re: irreverence. "Taste" is the first word in his description. Select great material, then make it your own regardless of the "rules".

    Jan 7, 2013

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    Mike Lansing

    A few hours before posting, a thought occurred to me about Mr. Getz's quality of  "irreverence." It indeed is a forward-looking concept, for if jazz links to religion, a jazz pioneer would certainly question the complacency of a theologian. As Slavoj Zizek once said when writing to an imprisoned Russian female musician, "Even though an atheist, you'll be in my prayers."

    Jun 28, 2018