Getz, Stan. (1927–1991)
Important Letters detailing his 1954 Arrest
An extraordinary pair of lengthy autograph letters from the stupendous jazz saxophonist, known as "The Sound" because of his warm, lyrical tone, the man of whom John Coltrane said: "We’d all sound like that . . . if we could."Two letters from the 27-year-old musician, addressed on March 11 and 12, 1954 to Jack Tracy, editor of Downbeat Magazine, and sold together with the original transmissal envelopes, mailed from L.A. County Jail, where Getz was incarcerated after having attempted to rob a pharmacy to get a morphine fix. Both letters in pencil, each 6pp. Very fine.
In part: "I have many things to say, excluding excuses, regrets and promises. Promises from me at this point mean nothing. Starting when I am released is when my actions will count. What happened in Seattle was inivitable [sic]. Me coming to the end of my rope. I shouldn't have been withdrawing myself from narcotics while working and travelling. With the aid of bartituates I thought I could do it. Seattle was the eigth day of the tour and I could stand no more. (Stan, you said no excuses). Going into this drugstore I demanded some narcotics. I said I had a gun (I didn't). The lady behind the counter evidently didn't believe I had a gun so she told another customer. He, in turn took a look at me and laughed, saying "Lady, he's kidding you, he has no gun." I guess I didn't look the part. Having flopped at my first 'caper,' (one of the terms I've learned up here) I left the store and went to my hotel. When I was in my room I decided to call the store and apologize. In doing so, the call was traced and my incarceration followed. My 'dope poisoning' was 60 grains of Ruinol, a long acting barbituate, that I swallowed en route to jail. I'd had enough of me and my antics. When I came out of the coma 3 days later with a breathing tube inserted in my trycea [sic], I realized that the doctors at Harlon Haven County Hospital had other ideas. God didn't want to kill me. This was his warning." (5680)
Autograph Letter Jazz