ESSENTIAL JAZZ CLASSICS JOHN HANDY - AT THE MONTEREY JAZZ FESTIVAL +1 BONUS TRACK John Handys performance at the 1965 Monterey Jazz Festival was a sensation and arguably the high point of his career. Using a quintet that included violinist Michael White, guitarist Jerry Hahn, bassist Don Thompson, and drummer Terry Clarke (all of whom were unknown young musicians at the time), he played two lengthy songs: the 27-minute If Only We Knew, and the near 20-minute long Spanish Lady. The two extended tracks are followed by another lengthy performance, Tears of Ole Miss, which was recorded two years later at the Village Vanguard and features such stars as Pat Martino and Bobby Hutcherson. JOHN HANDY - alto sax, MIKE WHITE violin, JERRY HAHN guitar, DON THOMPSON bass, TERRY CLARKE drums. Recorded live at the Monterey Jazz Festival, September 18, 1965. *Bonus track: John Handy alto sax. Bobby Hutcherson vibes, Pat Martino guitar, Albert Stinson - bass, Doug Sides drums. Recorded live at the Village Vanguard, New York, June 28, 1967. . builds up to a very exciting conclusion. Even over three decades later, the music sounds fresh, colourful, and innovative. Highly recommended. (Scott Yanow AllMusic)