Can there ever be such a thing as “too much” previously released Stan Getz recordings? Would you turn away from finding a book of undiscovered movies of Rita Hayworth or Ava Gardner? Next Question!
There are few things in musical life as rewarding as listening to Stan Getz’s tenor sax. Up there with Rossini, Mozart, Ellington and Montgomery, he had a sound that simply affirms the joy of existence. Here, he’s in his post-swing era and West Coast Cool mode and pre-bossa nova popularity, teamed with the driving team of the sublime drummer Roy Haynes, richly textured pianist Steve Kuhn and deeply grooved bassist John Neves for a November 26 gig from start to finish that sums up all that is right with jazz.
Kuhn and Haynes were both alumni of John Coltrane, and with Neves they show their allegiance as Getz steps out and the trio sizzles on a wild and urgent read of their previous employer’s “Impressions.” WHEW-12 minutes of volcanic lava! Haynes gets a time in the spotlight for a snappy solo on “52nd Street Theme” as well.
Outside of that (or rather, “inside” of it), you get Getz’s glowing sax that ranges from hip bopping Lester Young imbibed tunes such as “Blues” and “Jumpin’ With Symphony Sid” to urgent driving piece like the torrid “Airgin”, “Woody ‘N’ You” and “It’s All Right With Me” alongside Haynes’ sizzling high hat. In between are the drop dead gorgeous ballads that are Puccini-esque in their efflorescence. “When The Sun Comes Out” sighs with resignation, “Wildwood” chimes to Kuhn’s warm McCoy Tyner tunings, whereas “Stella By Starlight” and “Like Someone In Love” glisten with ebullient joy.
Look, even John Coltrane admitted that every tenor saxist wanted to sound like Stan Getz, I know that I sure do. While that may be impossible for all of us mortals, at least we can listen to the hem of his saxophone robe.