In 1958 East Coast Jazz Vibraphonist Cal Tjader teamed up with West Coast Tenor Saxophonist Stan Getz in San Francisco. In a meeting that was looming for years Tjader and Getz made an instant connection, complementing each other to produce an album that is elegant and supple in its timbre. A sultry combination of sax and vibes comes from their playing in parallels, in accompaniment of each other and in the sharing of solos. Hints of latin and afro-cuban rhythms personify Tjader’s and Getz’ shared passion in the late 50s and early 60s.

The swarthy Borgia of piano Vince Guaraldi (then Tjader’s pianist) is a welcome bonus on the album (this begs a trio), contributing a fast paced version of his Ginza Samba. The rest of the session includes covers of Jazz Standards and a few of Tjader’s own works played alongside a Stan Getz’s touring quartet (LaFaro & Higgins). The album was recorded in swift fashion, taking less than three hours with only two of the songs requiring more than one take. 

At the end of the session they all sat around and basked in the sound, Higgins saying to Guaraldi you’re really cooking there, meanwhile everyone was astounded at the sounds Tjader and Getz achieved together, it was as if they had been playing together for years.