Stan Getz, byname of Stanley Getz, (born Feb. 2, 1927, Philadelphia, Pa., U.S.—died June 6, 1991, Malibu, Calif.), American jazz tenor saxophonist, perhaps the best-known musician of jazz’s “cool school,” noted for his mellow, lush tone. Getz began studying the saxophone at age 13 and made his professional debut at 15.