Wednesday, July 23, 2014

AccuRadio Song Of The Day-Stan Getz Quartet

Artist:Stan Getz Quartet
Song:O Grande Amor
Album:Baubles, Bangles and Beads





Of course the career of sax legend Stan Getz spanned decades. But he is probably best known for popularizing Brazilian music when he recorded with Joao Gilberto, Astrud Gilberto and Antonio Carlos Jobim in 1964. The Girl From Ipanema was a huge hit and O Grande Amor was one of the songs they recorded. When Getz' love affair with Astrud ended that alliance, he formed a new band with vibraphonist Gary Burton. Burton had toured with George Shearing but he was fairly new on the scene. Other band members were long time Burton collaborator bassist Steve Swallow and legendary drummer Roy Haynes. The 1964 album Nobody Else But Me was a return to jazz featuring Burton. But Verve Records refused to release it. They wanted Getz to continue recording Bossa Nova. Typical record company. This album remained unreleased until 1994. The Burton band was Getz' touring band until Burton left to go solo in 1967. Though the band performed O Grande Amor in concert, it doesn't look like they recorded it. But the Italian reissue label Get Back Records has released a live version on CD. The first part of Baubles, Bangles and Beads is from the 1961 Newport Jazz Festival with Steve Kuhn on piano, Scott Lafaro on bass and Roy Haynes on drums. The second part is from a 1966 Berlin concert with Gary Burton on vibes, Chuck Israel on bass and Roy Haynes on drums. I am told the recording quality of Get Back CDs can be sketchy. But that's not unusual for labels using live jazz recordings from strange sources. I think it's the only live recording of the Getz-Burton group on CD. And you get to watch this great video clip. Here's Stan Getz with Gary Burton, Steve Swallow and Roy Haynes performing O Grande Amor at the BBC 1966.

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