The late Art Blakey was and remains one of the greatest jazz drummers in history. While not a fantastic composer, Blakey mastered a polyrhythmic style, and he could galvanize a band as few others could. (Blakey's bands were like finishing schools for an incredible amount of jazz talent from the 1950's onward.) 1972 MONTEREY is a concert recording with a band-for-special-occasions consisting of many legendary players, including bebop pioneer Thelonious Monk, trumpeters Clark Terry and Roy Eldridge, and saxophonist Sonny Stitt. In essence, this is one big joy-filled jam session, wherein these heavy cats go to town on familiar standards. Loaded with lots of freewheeling solos, this MONTEREY set will make the day of any fan of classic mainstream jazz.