Famous Saxophone Players
Stan Getz

Famous Saxophone Players Details

Name: Stanley Gayetzky (Stan Getz)

Born: February 2nd 1927

Place: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.

Saxophone Type: Tenor

Saxophone Make: Selmer

Stan Getz, known as 'the sound' because of his beautifully warm and breathy sound started playing saxophone as a child when his father bought him an Alto although later his real passion was for the sound of the Tenor. Yes, another of the famous tenor saxophone players and for me possibly the most famous, not least because of his personal problems.

His long hours of practice won him a place in the All City High School, New York City where he was given a private tutor to aid him in his studies.

He moved on and played with several different musicians who saw his talent. Sadly he also picked up achohol and heroin habits along the way which he did manage to kick later on in life.

He played with many many artists and also spent a short amount of time in jail due to the effects of his heroin habit. In 1963 he recorded with Astrud Gilberto (not intentionally) and came up with the grammy award winning 'Girl from Iponema'

His list of recordings and playing partners read like a who's who of music and in the realms of famous sax players he is a candidate for the No 1 spot.

Sadly he died of liver cancer on June 6th 1991 but as famous sax players go I hope it will be a long time before he is forgotten.

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