The performance by
Herbie Mann's group was one of the high points of the 1965 Newport Jazz Festival. This album includes
Mann's "Mushi Mushi" from an earlier date, but it is the lengthy versions of "Patato," "Stolen Moments," and particularly the encore "Comin' Home Baby" from Newport that are most memorable. During this period, the flutist's group included vibraphonist
Dave Pike, two trombonists, the young
Chick Corea on piano, bassist
Earl May, drummer
Bruno Carr, and Patato Valdes on conga. For "Comin' Home Baby," composer
Ben Tucker, who had played earlier in the day as part of
Billy Taylor's Trio, sits in on bass. ~ Scott Yanow