John Handy - At the Monterey Jazz Festival

John Handy’s 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 nearly 20-minute long “Spanish Lady”.

The two extended tracks are followed on this edition 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.