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Focus

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Work

Focus · In 1960 Stan Getz was living in Denmark and struggling with addiction. New jazz by Miles Davis, John Coltrane and Ornette Coleman stimulated him, and in January 1961 he returned to the United States. His label wanted commercial music, but he wanted a more personal album. He therefore asked the arranger Eddie Sauter for a series of seven pieces, entirely original music and no standards. The recording sessions in July 1961 began without him, because his mother had died the day before. He later played his parts in, wearing headphones, over the strings that had already been recorded.

The saxophonist improvised freely on Sauter's themes instead of on chord changes. Roy Haynes is the only other soloist, in I'm Late, I'm Late, which was edited together from two takes. Getz later called Focus his favourite record. The Penguin Guide to Jazz included the album in its core selection, and a biographer spoke of the best-realised third stream record ever.

Listening

Listening tip. Listen to I'm Late, I'm Late for the interplay of the tenor saxophone with the strings, and for the solo by drummer Roy Haynes.

Track list

  1. 1I'm Late, I'm Late8:11Apple Music ↗
  2. 2Her6:14Apple Music ↗
  3. 3Pan3:58Apple Music ↗
  4. 4I Remember When5:04Apple Music ↗
  5. 5Night Rider3:59Apple Music ↗
  6. 6Once Upon a Time4:49Apple Music ↗
  7. 7A Summer Afternoon6:04Apple Music ↗

30-second previews via Apple Music. Listen to the whole album on Apple Music ↗

Categories: Albums and songs