Today, someone on the phone (whom I don't know personally), made a reference to Stan - that I'VE NEVER HEARD BEFORE! (-; "Hey! Stan Getz! Nice bunch 'a guys!" *sigh*!! I can actually FEEL that comment coming... way before it's said! LOL!
The ironic part is that, in truth.... he really was "A NICE BUNCH OF GUYS"! OK.. there were a few fellas 'in the mix' that were maybe NOT so nice! I must admit that I also have a few 'Bev's' dwelling (Ooo scary word "dwelling"!) in me that I try to keep under lock and key! O-: Stanley was simply a NO BS kind of guy. The hard part was not knowing which one of those 'guys' you were going to meet, at any given moment! I learned fairly young, to read the body language and the eyes at a moments notice! To put it simply.., as the song goes.. "you gotta know when to hold and know when to fold"! But in all honesty, yes, he had his demons, but for the most part, he was always honest, direct - at times, painfully so! He also had the most generous and kind heart of anyone I've known. I know... I may be a tad prejudiced - but I can also look at Stan objectively. Stan the musician V Stan the Dad.
In any case... to get to my point here! To be honest, he wasn't all that crazy about that 'saying'. I doubt anyone would like to be known that way! He did however always have the ability to genuinely laugh at himself. So he was good natured about it. I'm sure he got tired of hearing it though, just as I do. But the best and funniest part of it is that it came from Zoot! Who possessed the DRIEST and BEST sense of humor ... EVER! Stan ADORED Zoot. He would tell Zoot stories and we would laugh til we cried!
Ahh! So nice to have a spot to place some of this STUFF! And that's my "memory" for the day!
Thanks so much for the insight Bev.
I guess with someone like me who idolizes those guys
I could not find anything wrong with them. They are
just human beings living to the fullest and with an
awesome talent. Their music is something to cherish.
Also we have to keep it alive. So many young people
nowdays don't know.
Thank you Bev.
Your father must be so very proud of you honoring him this way.
My memories of Stan Getz is the art he made through his music, which is unique!
Much love to you Bev
Your friend Egil
From one of Leonard Feather's Blindfold Test with Miles Davis.
In Mile's own words
"And I like Stan, because he has so much patience, the way he
plays those melodies-other people can't get nothing out of a
song, but he can. Which takes a lot of imagination ... "
I had the extreme good fortune of hearing Stan in the NYC metro area quite a few times as a teenager/also in my young 20's - the Half Note, JVC/KOOL Jazz Fest, Highlights in Jazz, Central Park (remember when they used to have jazz throughout the summer in Central Park - Horace Silver, Stan, Buddy Rich, Hank Jones...). My dad would take me to these venues during that time and every time I saw Stan, he not only remembered me, but was happy to see us and a delight to talk to. One time at the Bottom Line I spoke with him regarding my frustration of where I was at musically (I was playing alto saxophone/clarinet at the time, dreaming of becoming a jazz musician). Stan shared with me that even he would hit a plateau from time to time and he encouraged me to keep at it. Sad to say, economics prevented me from doing so, but thanks to Stan and other kind and over-the-top talented musicians, I have a deep and passionate love for jazz.
Such a sweet story about dad Marla! It sounds exactly like him! Thanks for sharing this!! It warms my soul to hear (most!) of these memories that people have about him! ((-:
In our French Musicians Memories, Stan Getz is one of the bigest knew saxophonist..; We love him since a long time ans we continue to listen him.
I am very happy to can join this comunity...
Didier EUZET.
The 26/09/1969 in Paris... Stan Getz participe to a french TV show... this is the link... unfortunally ? I cannot download it ezntirely... (I have paid 1,50 € but my DirectX browser failed every time... Maybe anybody can full download it..
Stan Getz speak in French ...
http://www.ina.fr/archivespourtous/index.php?vue=notice&id_notice=I00005527
http://zetlejazz.canalblog.com/archives/2007/12/02/7092842.html
Stan Getz, un des plus beaux sons du saxophone ténor à mes yeux, enfin, mes yeux ont des oreilles !
8,50 minutes de pur bonheur à travers cette composition du pianiste Jim Mc Neely, interprétée par ce qui reste pour moi, une des plus belles formations du Stan dernière période.
Jim McNeely au piano, Marc Johnson à la contrebasse et le talentueux Victor Lewis à la batterie, tout est là pour faire décoller le son si doux & si beau de ce Grand Monsieur du saxophone ténor qui nous manque BEAUCOUP !
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.
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.
"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."
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.
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". `
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.
hello, i remember stan doing his son's friend brian,a benifit to recieve a new hand .this was in ervington n.y. this brian was taking pictures of stans son on a raft on the hudson river when he touched some high tension wires. lost both hands and some damage to his leg.that evening i had the honor to sit with stans wife and the parents of brian.the place ws a small restaurant but for me it was the greatest time of my life. God bless
I first heard Stan about 1970 or so, and I was immediately hooked. Stan's playing gave me a feeling I still can't adequately describe. I had the honor and thrill of seeing him perform in Houston about 30 years ago. Thanks for making this great site.
HOW CAN I EVER FORGET THE WARM BALMY NIGHT IN MONTREUX WHEN I HEARD THE SOUL MUSIC OF STAN GETZ FLOATING THROUGH THE JAZZ FOYER SPEAKERS
AND THE UNFORGETTABLE FRONT ROW SEAT TO HEAR STAN CHANGE MY LIFE WITH HIS INSPIRING BREATHTAKING ON STAGE PLAYING OF SOUL EYES AND THE REST
THIS ONE AND ONLY LIVE CONTACT WITH STAN HAS INSPIRED MY CREATIVE WRITING EVER SINCE THAT MEMORABLE NIGHT IN PARADISE MESMERIZED BY THAT WONDERFUL SOUND
WHERE I DISCOVERED WHAT SOUL MUSIC IS ALL ABOUT
NOT TO MENTION HIS AMAZING SENSE OF HUMOR
STAN WAS THE ESSENCE OF THE ETERNAL VALUES OF REAL JAZZ MUSIC ON THAT MAGICAL SUMMER NIGHT ON THE SWISS RIVIERA HUB OF WESTERN CULTURE
LIVING IN PARADISE HERVEY BAY QUEENSLAND AUSTRALIA WHERE THERE IS NO WINTER IN THE LUCKY COUNTRY
I AM INDEED FORTUNATE TO HAVE EXPERIENCED THAT EVENING IN THAT OTHER PARADISE SWITZERLAND WHERE OUR CULTURE CULMINATES IN THE MONTREUX JAZZ FESTIVAL
EVEN NOW THE UNIQUE INSTANTLY IDENTIFIABLE SOUND OF THE GETZ TENOR SAX SHIVERS MY SPINE WHENEVER I CATCH A FRAGMENT OF HIS MASTERFUL PLAYING
Hello again,when I was still a child in the fiftees I didnt know what jazz music was,I didnt even know what a saxophone was..then I heard music that changed my life...it was the magical sound of Stan Getz. Why that impact...the lyrical way he played...?....the beautiful sound of his horn..?
as far as it concernes myself.. he is the only musician who`s sound got deep burried in my soul...why?..its a little bit of that magic that in fact dont need explication.. ! I have a great collection of music.. jazz as wel classical..and no one ...not even Grieg or Mahler...Miles Davis or Coltrane give me that strange magic feeling ...something like longing for beautiful places ..sounds and colours...Sinatra made some music written by Rod Mc uen that gives me the same feeling!!!..its pure poetry...I think that is what IT IS...was Stan Getz a poet...? and than a very great one...! and did he know himself what an impact he had ,with his music,on people all over the world! can anybody tell me that??? greetings till next time THEO URFF FROM THE NETHERLANDS EUROPE.
Still finding my way arround this wonderful site -
My husband & I first heard Stan and other great Jazz players at Howard Rumsey's L ight House in Hermos Beach(CA) back in the 40s & 50s. In those dayswe didnt have much money & we would nurse one drink for as long as possible so we could to stay & listen to those who who became the greats in Jazz ( like Stan who is my favorite)
I remember how nice they were - giving us free refills so we could stay longer. Sometimes it was so packesd we could not even get in the door.
I am so happy to find this site and all the people who love Stan as much as I
do.
Thanks to Beverly for making this wonderful site - I am just
discovering new things here every day when I log on.
Bev invited me to join the Community after I'd sent the following anecdote. Ronnie Scott was a good friend of mine and, as a painter of jazz musicians, I spent a lot of time at his club. I sometimes took my young daughter along and she would collect autographs. She was with me one night when Stan was playing there and we mer him in the foyer. I wasn't too sure how he would feel about autographs, but he smiled, asked my daughters, name and signed her book. As he made his way to the dressing room he smiled again and said, " Got to look after the kids, they'll be paying my wages one day." My daughter was about nine years old at the time, now, as a forty year old, she still treasures her book and the memories from a time when life was sweeter. Derek Southon.
This is from a late 1980's interview of Don Lanphere by Les Tomkins.
In it Don talks about his wife Midge's love for ballad playing.
She says, “You know, Stan Getz knows how to stand up and play a pretty song for me.”
Don tells us that he mentionned this to Stan a little while back while in Seattle.
Stan replied "“Well, there may be some players around that swing more than I do but I’m very big with the ladies!”
I feel that 'girl from Ipanema', for me, was the the catalyst to really listening to tenor saxophone and how it should be played..
I know die hards would say 'too commercial' but it did reach out and touch me, in it's many guises..
Tony, I agree entirely with your comments about 'Ipanema," but the so-called commercial aspect of any jazz number is okay with me, I'm just pleased that a particular number, played by a consummate artist, can reach and give pleasure to a wider audience. If it also means that someone makes some well deserved money, everyone's happy. Derek (Del) Southon.
Joannah
Apr 29, 2008
Bev Getz
Well..... I have LOTS of memories! Some I'm not sure I should share! Even here amongst my PEEPS! LOL! But.. I will be sharing lots of them!
Right now I have to run out and feed the gang of horses standing by the fence screaming for their DINNERRRRRRRRR!!
Thanks for starting this Jai Jai!
xoxoxo
Apr 29, 2008
Denis Ouellet
Apr 29, 2008
Hilde Hefte
Hugs and smiles and all that's good to you.
Hilde
xoxoxox
Apr 29, 2008
Bev Getz
The ironic part is that, in truth.... he really was "A NICE BUNCH OF GUYS"! OK.. there were a few fellas 'in the mix' that were maybe NOT so nice! I must admit that I also have a few 'Bev's' dwelling (Ooo scary word "dwelling"!) in me that I try to keep under lock and key! O-: Stanley was simply a NO BS kind of guy. The hard part was not knowing which one of those 'guys' you were going to meet, at any given moment! I learned fairly young, to read the body language and the eyes at a moments notice! To put it simply.., as the song goes.. "you gotta know when to hold and know when to fold"! But in all honesty, yes, he had his demons, but for the most part, he was always honest, direct - at times, painfully so! He also had the most generous and kind heart of anyone I've known. I know... I may be a tad prejudiced - but I can also look at Stan objectively. Stan the musician V Stan the Dad.
In any case... to get to my point here! To be honest, he wasn't all that crazy about that 'saying'. I doubt anyone would like to be known that way! He did however always have the ability to genuinely laugh at himself. So he was good natured about it. I'm sure he got tired of hearing it though, just as I do. But the best and funniest part of it is that it came from Zoot! Who possessed the DRIEST and BEST sense of humor ... EVER! Stan ADORED Zoot. He would tell Zoot stories and we would laugh til we cried!
Ahh! So nice to have a spot to place some of this STUFF! And that's my "memory" for the day!
Apr 30, 2008
Denis Ouellet
I guess with someone like me who idolizes those guys
I could not find anything wrong with them. They are
just human beings living to the fullest and with an
awesome talent. Their music is something to cherish.
Also we have to keep it alive. So many young people
nowdays don't know.
Apr 30, 2008
Egil Kapstad
Your father must be so very proud of you honoring him this way.
My memories of Stan Getz is the art he made through his music, which is unique!
Much love to you Bev
Your friend Egil
May 1, 2008
Denis Ouellet
In Mile's own words
"And I like Stan, because he has so much patience, the way he
plays those melodies-other people can't get nothing out of a
song, but he can. Which takes a lot of imagination ... "
Denis
May 9, 2008
Marla
Marla
May 12, 2008
Marla
Marla
May 12, 2008
Bev Getz
hugs,
Bev
May 13, 2008
Didier EUZET
I am very happy to can join this comunity...
Didier EUZET.
May 19, 2008
Didier EUZET
Stan Getz speak in French ...
http://www.ina.fr/archivespourtous/index.php?vue=notice&id_notice=I00005527
May 19, 2008
Didier EUZET
Stan Getz, un des plus beaux sons du saxophone ténor à mes yeux, enfin, mes yeux ont des oreilles !
8,50 minutes de pur bonheur à travers cette composition du pianiste Jim Mc Neely, interprétée par ce qui reste pour moi, une des plus belles formations du Stan dernière période.
Jim McNeely au piano, Marc Johnson à la contrebasse et le talentueux Victor Lewis à la batterie, tout est là pour faire décoller le son si doux & si beau de ce Grand Monsieur du saxophone ténor qui nous manque BEAUCOUP !
May 19, 2008
Denis Ouellet
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
May 22, 2008
Denis Ouellet
"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
May 22, 2008
Gandalfe
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.
Jun 7, 2008
Denis Ouellet
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.
Jun 21, 2008
Bev Getz
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.
Jun 25, 2008
Bev Getz
Jun 25, 2008
Denis Ouellet
Really touching.
Denis
Jun 25, 2008
Geoff Sims (not related to Zoot}
I see I'm the only one without a photo.
Had difficulty sending one but will try again.
All the best
Geoff
Jun 29, 2008
Denis Ouellet
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". `
Jul 15, 2008
Denis Ouellet
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
Jul 20, 2008
angelo villani
Aug 30, 2008
Daniel Goodwin
Sep 24, 2008
jon sheldon roberts
AND THE UNFORGETTABLE FRONT ROW SEAT TO HEAR STAN CHANGE MY LIFE WITH HIS INSPIRING BREATHTAKING ON STAGE PLAYING OF SOUL EYES AND THE REST
THIS ONE AND ONLY LIVE CONTACT WITH STAN HAS INSPIRED MY CREATIVE WRITING EVER SINCE THAT MEMORABLE NIGHT IN PARADISE MESMERIZED BY THAT WONDERFUL SOUND
WHERE I DISCOVERED WHAT SOUL MUSIC IS ALL ABOUT
NOT TO MENTION HIS AMAZING SENSE OF HUMOR
STAN WAS THE ESSENCE OF THE ETERNAL VALUES OF REAL JAZZ MUSIC ON THAT MAGICAL SUMMER NIGHT ON THE SWISS RIVIERA HUB OF WESTERN CULTURE
LIVING IN PARADISE HERVEY BAY QUEENSLAND AUSTRALIA WHERE THERE IS NO WINTER IN THE LUCKY COUNTRY
I AM INDEED FORTUNATE TO HAVE EXPERIENCED THAT EVENING IN THAT OTHER PARADISE SWITZERLAND WHERE OUR CULTURE CULMINATES IN THE MONTREUX JAZZ FESTIVAL
EVEN NOW THE UNIQUE INSTANTLY IDENTIFIABLE SOUND OF THE GETZ TENOR SAX SHIVERS MY SPINE WHENEVER I CATCH A FRAGMENT OF HIS MASTERFUL PLAYING
WHAT A GENIUS OF OUR TIMES
THANK YOU STAN AND MERCI BEV
Jan 14, 2009
Bev Getz
Jan 14, 2009
Geoff Sims (not related to Zoot}
Thank you for your recent email.
I'm not sure how to email you so lets see if this reaches you.
All the best
Geoff
Apr 7, 2009
THEO URFF
as far as it concernes myself.. he is the only musician who`s sound got deep burried in my soul...why?..its a little bit of that magic that in fact dont need explication.. ! I have a great collection of music.. jazz as wel classical..and no one ...not even Grieg or Mahler...Miles Davis or Coltrane give me that strange magic feeling ...something like longing for beautiful places ..sounds and colours...Sinatra made some music written by Rod Mc uen that gives me the same feeling!!!..its pure poetry...I think that is what IT IS...was Stan Getz a poet...? and than a very great one...! and did he know himself what an impact he had ,with his music,on people all over the world! can anybody tell me that??? greetings till next time THEO URFF FROM THE NETHERLANDS EUROPE.
Apr 10, 2009
Virginia Gordon
My husband & I first heard Stan and other great Jazz players at Howard Rumsey's L ight House in Hermos Beach(CA) back in the 40s & 50s. In those dayswe didnt have much money & we would nurse one drink for as long as possible so we could to stay & listen to those who who became the greats in Jazz ( like Stan who is my favorite)
I remember how nice they were - giving us free refills so we could stay longer. Sometimes it was so packesd we could not even get in the door.
I am so happy to find this site and all the people who love Stan as much as I
do.
Thanks to Beverly for making this wonderful site - I am just
discovering new things here every day when I log on.
Gratfully - Virginia
Jun 21, 2009
Derek Southon
Jun 21, 2009
Denis Ouellet
They warm my heart.
Denis
Jun 21, 2009
Denis Ouellet
In it Don talks about his wife Midge's love for ballad playing.
She says, “You know, Stan Getz knows how to stand up and play a pretty song for me.”
Don tells us that he mentionned this to Stan a little while back while in Seattle.
Stan replied "“Well, there may be some players around that swing more than I do but I’m very big with the ladies!”
Now this got me laughing .... still ...
Jul 15, 2009
Tony Jay-Jay
I know die hards would say 'too commercial' but it did reach out and touch me, in it's many guises..
Nov 13, 2009
Derek Southon
Nov 13, 2009