Focus (Stan Getz album) album's only soloist beside Getz. "The Penguin Guide to Jazz" selected this album as part of its suggested "Core Collection" stating "Nobody ever arranged for Getz as well as this, and Sauter's luminous and shimmering scores continue to bewitch". Similarly, critic Stephen Cook describes "Focus" as "admittedly Getz's most challenging date and arguably his finest moment". 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
Stan Getz Gillespie, Getz, Peterson, Herb Ellis, Ray Brown and Max Roach. Returning to the U.S. from Europe in 1961, Getz became a central figure in introducing bossa nova music to the American audience. Teaming with guitarist Charlie Byrd, who had just returned from a U.S. State Department tour of Brazil, Getz recorded "Jazz Samba" in 1962 and it quickly became a hit. Getz won the Grammy for Best Jazz Performance of 1963 for "Desafinado", from the same album. It sold over one million copies, and was awarded a gold disc. His second bossa nova album, also recorded in 1962, was "Big