Focus on Stan Getz

On September 18th 1998, Ernie Krivda performed a tribute to the great jazz saxophonist Stan Getz at Cleveland’s storied Severance Hall. The program included the Eddie Sauter’s seminal third stream masterpiece, The Focus Suite. It was the first performance of the work since it was played by Stan at New York’s Hunter College in 1962. The concert was a tremendous success, and added a huge chapter to the legendary legacy of Ernie Krivda.

The release of the concert, on CD in 2004, brought a new wave of critical acclaim to the saxophonist. “The CD radiates an ease and pleasure one hears only in the masters, living or dead,” wrote Michael Steinmen of Cadence Magazine. Veteran jazz writer Bib Protzman found Krivda’s Focus “more appealing then the Getz version” and Bill Donaldson of Jazz Improv Magazine makes the point that “the audience at Severance Hall that October night in 1998 knew that is was experiencing something special, now jazz enthusiasts who did not attend the performance can appreciate the care devoted to and the hard work lavished on this worthy project… not to mention the focused beauty that results”.

This CD which also features a Quartet set with former Getz sidemen, Andy Lavern (Piano), Rufus Reid (Bass) and Adam Nussbaum (Drums) is available here.

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