Stan Getz (Philadelphia, 1927 – Malibu, 1991) was one of the most influential saxophonists in jazz history, renowned worldwide for the lyricism of his sound, known as The Sound. Trained in Woody Herman’s big band in the 1940s, he first came to prominence with his solo on “Early Autumn,” which launched his international career.

Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, Getz established himself as a leading figure in cool jazz and West Coast jazz, drawing from Lester Young’s elegance while forging a voice of his own. In the 1960s, he achieved enormous popularity by introducing bossa nova to American audiences with Jazz Samba and, above all, Getz/Gilberto (1964), which featured the worldwide classic “The Girl from Ipanema” and earned him a Grammy.

His career included collaborations with artists such as João Gilberto, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Chick Corea, Gary Burton and Bill Evans, along with an extensive discography that kept him active until his passing in 1991. His legacy is that of a musician who combined melodic delicacy, innovation and sensitivity, leaving an indelible mark on the history of jazz.

Jazz en Buenos Aires

Live in Concert. Jazz in Buenos Air es documents Stan Getz’s memorable performance at Teatro San Martín on September 22, 1980. Joined by a remarkably young quartet —Chuck Loeb on guitar, Mitch Forman on piano, Todd Coolman on bass and Mik e Hyman on drums—, Getz once again demonstrated his gift for choosing musicians able to match and enrich his unmistakable sound.

The repertoire moved between tradition and modernity: standards such as “My Foolish Heart” and “Lush Life” stood alongside newer pieces like “Hospital Creek” and “Chappaqua,” balancing lyricism with youthful energy. The finale, dedicated to Jobim’s bossa nova —“Wave,” “Desafinado” and “Chega de Saudade”—, brought the Buenos Aires audience back to the musical world that had made Getz an international star in the 1960s.

This live recording captures an artist at full maturity, true to his style yet open to the fresh drive of a new generation. A night that reaffirmed Getz as one of the most distinctive and poetic voices in modern jazz.