The late Cal Tjader, while not of Latin extraction, was one of the most popular exponents of Latin jazz ever. Both on stage and in the studio, from the late 1950s to his 1982 death, Tjader's vibraphone dazzled and danced in the gray area where jazz (both hot and cool) and Latin, Afro-Cuban, and Brazilian sounds overlapped. This disc collects material from live performances at the illustrious Monterey Jazz Festival from select years between 1958 and 1980. It's not only a great overview of Tjader, but also of a large chunk of jazz history. Among the fabulous musicians playing with the vibes master are Mongo Santamaria, Buddy DeFranco, Dizzy Gillespie, and Poncho Sanchez.