Stan Getz – My Foolish Heart: Live at the Left Bank (Label M)

For reasons unknown, Stan Getz has not been treated too well by the historians. Perhaps his personality had something to do with it. Stan could be prickly, even nasty or very kind and gentle prompting Zoot Sims to refer to Stan as “..a nice bunch of guys.”

Whatever else he was, Getz is among the top four or five people ever to pick up a saxophone. This live recording in Baltimore in 1975 and only released in 2000 is vintage Getz. “The sound” of course is there from the downbeat on “Invitation,” the first track. None of the seven tunes is written by Getz, which is typical of his performances. There are a couple of hard swingers, two lovely ballads, a Latin-flavored tune and also a samba.  He receives first-class support here by pianist Richie Beirach, Dave Holland, and Jack DeJohnette in their youth. This recording, long delayed for release, belongs in every jazz lover’s library.