Origins & Early Life

Stan Getz (born Stanley Gayetski; February 2, 1927 – June 6, 1991) was an American jazz saxophonist. Playing primarily the tenor saxophone, Getz was known as "The Sound" because of his warm, lyrical tone, with his prime influence being the wispy, mellow timbre of his idol, Lester Young. Coming to prominence in the late 1940s with Woody Herman's big band, Getz is described by critic Scott Yanow as "one of the all-time great tenor saxophonists". Getz performed in bebop and cool jazz groups.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

Influenced by João Gilberto and Antônio Carlos Jobim, he also helped popularize bossa nova in the United States with the hit 1964 single "The Girl from Ipanema". Stan Getz was born Stanley Gayetski on February 2, 1927, at St. Vincent's Hospital in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Getz's father, Alexander ("Al"), was born in Mile End, London, in 1904; his mother, Goldie (née Yampolsky), was born in Philadelphia in 1907. His paternal grandparents Harris and Beckie Gayetski were originally from Kyiv, Ukraine, but had emigrated to escape the anti-Jewish pogroms to Whitechapel, in the East End of London.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

While in England, they owned the Harris Tailor Shop at 52 Oxford Street for...

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Abdul Basit 'Abd us-Samad — Contemporary (Born in 1927) (1927): Renowned Egyptian Quran reciter, celebrated for his melodious and emotionally engaging style.
• Al Martino — Contemporary (Born in 1927) (1927): Iconic Italian-American crooner, celebrated for standards and his role in The Godfather.
• Albert Uderzo — Contemporary (Born in 1927) (1927): Pioneering French comic artist, co-creator of the iconic Astérix series.
• Abby Stein — Contemporary (Born in 1991) (1991): Israeli-American author, rabbi, and activist who speaks on faith and gender identity.
• Almaz Ayana — Contemporary (Born in 1991) (1991): Ethiopian long-distance runner known for Olympic and World Championship success.
• Amadou Hampâté Bâ — Contemporary (Died in 1991) (1991): Malian writer, historian, and ethnologist championing Africa's oral traditions.
• Abba Eban — Shared historical date (02-02 · Born) (1915): Israeli diplomat, politician, and scholar of Arabic and Hebrew languages.
• Amrit Kaur — Shared historical date (02-02 · Born) (1889): Pioneering Indian politician and the first woman Health Minister of independent India.
• Adnan Khashoggi — Shared historical date (06-06 · Died) (2017): Saudi businessman and arms dealer, known as 'The Great Gatsby of the Middle East'
• Aleksandr Lyapunov — Shared historical date (06-06 · Born) (1857): Pioneering Russian mathematician known for stability theory of dynamical systems.
• 1927 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1927
• February 2 (02-02) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on February 2
• 1991 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1991
• June 6 (06-06) On This Day — Historical events and memorials on June 6