The opening track is an 11-minute version of Guaraldi’s “Ginza Samba.” It was a perfect choice to fit the styles of Getz and Tjader. It is long enough for Tjader, Getz, Duran and Guaraldi to all step forward and take solos.
Tjader would contribute three original compositions. ”Crow’s Nest” would contain bassist Scott Lafaro’s only solo, but it would be one of the better ones of the late 1950s. Lafaro would join the legendary Bill Evans Trio during 1959 and quickly emerge as one of the most influential jazz bass players.
Ten days after they recorded two of the best live albums in jazz history, Sunday At The Village Vanguard and Waltz For Debby, he would die in a car accident at the age of 25. This album catches Lafaro at the beginning of his short but brilliant career.
Tjader’s “Liz Anne” and “Big Bear” are shorter and more structured and catch Getz at his best. The group's cover of the old standard, “I’ve Grown Accustomed To Your Face,” features a gentle performance by Tjader, as he steps out of his support role and moves front and center. Interpretations of “My Buddy” and “For All We Know” complete the album.
The Stan Getz/Cal Tjader Sextet was of those quickly put-together releases that worked well in the studio, as it holds up well over 50 years later. An essential release for any fan of jazz music.
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