Stan Getz Quartet - Grand Stan: Live In Italy, In 1974

Tenor saxophonist Stan Getz was in-between contracts with major record labels in 1974. The following year, he would sign with Columbia and begin recording important albums including The Best Of Two Worlds with Joao Gilberto. Included in this CD is one of the relatively few known recordings of Getz's in 1974, and most likely the only one with his regular quartet at the time with Al Daily on piano, George Mraz on bass and Billy Hart on drums.

Recorded live in Milan, Italy, the original tape captured the master and his group in three extended performances, each clocking at 9, 12 and 21 minutes, respectively. The performance is fiery and exciting, with everyone given opportunities to stretch out. Getz's style, which used to be cool and breezy, was changing in this period to acquire a harder edge and hotter, more passionate expression. An important recording for fans of Stan Getz!