Stan Getz: Five Rare Videos

Like a jewel thief, Stan Getz had a way of climbing inside a song without disturbing its wiring. Getz tended to play in the upper register of the tenor sax—the range that's most seductive rather than bossy—and used the lower register for to kick off surges and to create contrast. When the song's melody and Getz's sound and tempo were just right (Time on My Hands, Stella by Starlight), the results were impossibly romantic and seductive. So as it poured here yesterday, I listened to a wide range of his recordings. In the spirit of sharing, here are five rare Getz videos I found at YouTube...

With Donald Byrd in 1957...



With Flora Purim in 1969...



With his quartet—Gary Burton (vibes), Steve Swallow (bass) and Roy Haynes (drums)—in 1966 in London playing Jive Hoot, which Bob Brookmeyer wrote for Getz...



With Nat Cole and Roy Eldridge in 1957, introduced by Norman Granz...



With Chet Baker in 1983...