Stan Getz was an American jazz saxophonist who was known for his smooth and lyrical playing style. He was a prominent figure in the cool jazz movement of the 1950s and 1960s, and is considered one of the greatest jazz saxophonists of all time. Getz was born in Philadelphia in 1927 and began playing the saxophone at the age of 13. He went on to become a major influence in the development of bebop and cool jazz, and was a prolific recording artist, releasing over 50 albums during his career.