Stan Getz was an influential American jazz saxophonist known for his warm, lyrical tone and melodic style. Born in Philadelphia in 1927, Getz started playing professionally at 15 and quickly gained prominence as one of the leading figures in the "Cool Jazz" movement of the 1950s. His 1962 recording of "The Girl from Ipanema" with Astrud Gilberto popularized the bossa nova style worldwide. Getz's dynamic and emotive playing, exemplified in works such as "Desafinado" and "Misty", has left a lasting impact on the jazz genre.