In the vein of many a smooth West Coast jazz outing, this 1958 disc finds original cool stylist
Getz paired with vibraphonist
Cal Tjader on a very enjoyable selection of jazz standards and
Tjader originals. The lineup includes pianist
Vince Guaraldi, guitarist
Eddie Duran, bassist
Scott La Faro, and drummer
Billy Higgins (this was one of the earliest record dates for either
La Faro or
Higgins, both of whom were playing with
Getz at San Francisco's Black Hawk in between recording sessions).
Guaraldi's spry "Ginza Samba" kicks thing off with nimble and imaginative statements by all the soloists.
Tjader's swinging originals "Crow's Nest" and "Big Bear" provide prime solo vehicles as well, while his lovely waltz number "Liz-Anne" adds some nice contrast to the set, eliciting one of
Getz's best solos in the process. The group rounds things out with fine ballad readings of "I've Grown Accustomed to Her Face" and "For All We Know." A recommended title for both
Getz and
Tjader fans.