Stan Getz / Charlie Byrd

A note from Creed Taylor...

On the morning of Feb 13, 1962, Stan and I boarded the shuttle from LaGuardia, NY to Washington, DC. Upon arriving, we headed for The All Souls Unitarian Church, where we quickly set up to record on a 7&1/2 ips portable Ampex Tape Recorder. A couple of days before, Byrd had played these new Brazilian songs on the phone for Stan and myself. Stan had never seen, nor rehearsed, this material. Stan did roughly one run-through for each of the songs (Byrd's group was rehearsed). At that point, Jobim and Stan had yet to meet.

The only thing that was "slightly out-of-tune," was the title of the song "Desafinado," which was soon to become a major world HIT! Loosely translated, "desafinado" means "slightly out-of-tune."

Jazz Samba

Stan Getz, Tenor Sax
Charlie Byrd, Guitar
Keter Betts, Bass
Gene Byrd, Bass, Guitar
Buddy Deppenschmidt, Drums
Bill Reichenbach, Drums

Awarded GRAMMY BEST INSTRUMENTAL JAZZ PERFORMANCE "DESAFINADO" 1962

Inducted into GRAMMY HALL OF FAME 2000

Produced by

The Start of the Jazz Samba Movement
This is probably the best – if not – the most important and significant jazz album that I had and will probably ever own, hands down. It was the first CD I ever owned and still is in my top 10 list of *all* time. Getz is one of the key contributors to introducing the American public to the nuances, soul, and sensuality of Brazilian-influenced jazz back in the early ‘60s.

“Desafinado” is a punchy, playful tune that takes the listener upon a delightful samba dance. “Samba Triste” is sad, and soulful so much that you can hear the tenor sax lightly crying in Getz’s hands. In all tracks, Getz and Byrd take the listener to a point of jazz-induced highs, lows and in-betweens only to gently pull you back and forth a few more times before slowly ending each dance so you feel complete. If you have never tasted the richness of South American-influenced jazz this is probably the best place to start. Dinner is served and with Getz/Byrd as your chefs be prepared to experience a sensuous and filling 5 course meal. Bottoms up!