Recommend some Stan Getz to me, pls.

Cafe Society
1

I’ve been listening to a lot of jazz/standards stuff recently, mostly compilation CDs, and every time Stan Getz comes on, I think, “Boy, he sure do play purty!” So I want to explore his work a little.

No, I don’t want Getz/Gilberto. Been there, done that. (I like Brazilian music, and have an okay collection of it, so don’t necessarily need his interpretation of it.) I want to know what to check out of the albums I haven’t heard – which is every other single one. His discography is extensive, though, and I don’t know where to start. Sweet Rain looks good – but I’m going to consult with the hippest folks I know, you guys, for other tips.

What are the must-haves?

2

Alas, the only Stan Getz CD I have is “Stan Getz and the Oscar Peterson Trio.”

It is outstanding.

3

Try his last (I think) recording, People Time, a 2-CD live gig of duets with pianist Kenny Barron. Getz was dying of cancer (he lived about a year after this recording, maybe less) and had to let Barron play long solos while he rested, but when he played he played his heart out. It’s beautiful.

4

Stan Getz & Friends is probably my favorite album of his.

Here is a complete discography with label and catalog numbers, sorted by decade. Be warned - it’s long (Getz was very prolific in the studio, even by the standards of the era)

5

I like Captain Marvel quite a bit. Also try some of the many Stan Getz and… Gerry Mulligan, Bob Brookmeyer, Bill Evans.

He was a great sideman too. Abbey Lincoln’s You Gotta Pay the Band is one of my all -timers.

6

I just looked at the discography. I’ll bet Stan with Laurino Almeida is bitchen. But very Brazilian I’m sure.

You can also try ubl.com. Most of these albums will have a review, so you can get an idea of what’s going on. Here’s part of their Sweet Rain review.

One of Stan Getz’s all-time greatest albums, Sweet Rain was his first major artistic coup after he closed the book on his bossa nova period, featuring an adventurous young group that pushed him to new heights in his solo statements. Pianist Chick Corea, bassist Ron Carter, and drummer Grady Tate were all schooled in '60s concepts of rhythm-section freedom, and their continually stimulating interplay helps open things up for Getz to embark on some long, soulful explorations (four of the five tracks are over seven minutes). The neat trick of Sweet Rain is that the advanced rhythm section work remains balanced with Getz’s customary loveliness and lyricism. Indeed, Getz plays with a searching, aching passion throughout the date…

7

ubl.com? The review you quote is word-for-word what allmusic has (see my link).

Thanks for the recommendations, all – keep 'em coming!

8

UBL, ArtistDirect & B&N all borrow from AMG.

I’ll second both Captain Marvel & Sweet Rain

9

I like Focus a lot.

10

Yeah, Focus is very good. Nice arrangements. One of the better “Sax with Strings” albums ever made.

For a straight-out blowing session, try Stan Getz and J.J. Johnson Live at the Opera House, a great quintet concert date from 1957 Chicago.