Focus (Stan Getz album) Focus (Stan Getz album) Focus is a jazz album recorded in 1961, featuring Stan Getz on tenor saxophone with a string orchestra. The album is a suite which was originally commissioned by Getz from composer and arranger Eddie Sauter. Widely regarded as a high point for both men's careers, "Focus" was described by Getz as his favorite of all his recordings. The pair would next collaborate on their soundtrack to the 1965 film "Mickey One". As noted in the booklet for the 1997 CD reissue, Sauter's orchestration did not include melodies for Getz. Rather, Sauter left spaces in the arrangements
Getz/Gilberto his friend and neighbor Stan Getz. Getz was excited about the sound of bossa nova, and released two records: "Jazz Samba" and "Big Band Bossa Nova", both in 1962. Bossa nova became so popular that the title "Big Band Bossa Nova" was also used for three other 1962 albums: by Quincy Jones, Oscar Castro-Neves and Enoch Light. "Jazz Samba", featuring Charlie Byrd, quickly sold a million copies and received positive reviews in United States. However, the record labels' rush to exploit the new Brazilian sound led to musicians introducing serious errors in melody and harmony in the music. For example,