- On Green Dolphin St
- Voyage
- Falling in Love
- I Remember You
- I Love You
Stan Getz – Tenor Saxophone
Kenny Barron – Piano
Rufus Reid – Bass
Victor Lewis – Drums
Stan Getz was 60 when this
recording took place; he had only four more
years before his death from cancer in 1991.
Technically he was probably the best-equipped
tenor man of all times, equally he had a unique
sound on the instrument which made him instantly
identifiable. On this record he is backed
by a jazz trio which has had few equals, Kenny
Barron inspired Stan to his best ever work,
but he was more than just that, he himself
is a exceptional soloist. Rufus Reid is one
of the best bass players you will ever hear
his notes are clean and his solos inventive.
Victor Lewis keeps immaculate time whilst
swinging in a neat unobtrusive way and contributes
mightily to the overall sound of the group.
On Green Dolphin St is a
nice mid-tempo starter and Stan plays his
way as only he can through this fine old standard.
Voyage is a composition written by Kenny Barron
that really seems to fire up the whole band.
I suspect that by this time Stan knew that
his life span was not going to last to much
longer and as well as the usual immaculate
tone, there is also an anguish in his playing
that was not heard in earlier recordings.
Kenny Barron contributes a magnificent piano
solo his playing is full of invention as always.
Falling In Love is a Victor
Feldman composition; Feldman was a British
pianist who had graduated from being a child
drumming protégé in London,
to being acknowledged as one of the best around
on the US jazz scene. This is no mean feat,
the competition in the US is fierce and unless
you are really up to it you are soon found
out. The composition is ideal for the quartet
and brings the best out of everyone. Charlie
Parker was very fond of I Remember You, a
Johnny Mercer composition and whilst Stan’s
choice of tempo is similar, his approach to
the tune is very different. Both treatments
are excellent however and Stan is on great
form, I am sure he is inspired by the work
of the trio, which is outstanding.
Cole Porter’s composition’s
feature in the repertoire of many of the greatest
jazz players, most are well suited to the
jazz performance. I Love You has been one
of the most endearing and intriguing of these
tunes. The performance here is like a master
class as to how a jazz quartet should sound,
Kenny Barron solos first this time and it
was almost as though Stan did this to give
himself a real challenge. He gets the challenge
OK, but he responds magnificently.
There is no doubt in my mind
that Stan was the greatest tenor sax player
the jazz world has ever known, don’t miss
the opportunity to hear more of his work.
Don Mather
CD Reviews
Universal Music EmArcy 838770-2
