While
Havana Jam featured a variety of styles of music, this particular two-LP set focuses exclusively on jazz. Taken from a series of concerts held in Cuba in 1979,
Irakere (which at the time included altoist
Paquito D'Rivera and trumpeter
Arturo Sandvoal), The CBS Jazz All-Stars (starring such greats as tenors
Stan Getz,
Jimmy Heath and
Dexter Gordon, altoist
Arthur Blythe, flutist
Hubert Laws and trumpeter
Woody Shaw), The Trio of Doom (comprised of
John McLaughlin,
Jaco Pastorius and
Tony Williams),
Weather Report (performing "Teentown") and The Cuban Percussion Ensemble are all heard from. A version of "Polka Dots and Moonbeams" featuring both
Getz and
Dexter is a highpoint.