The 1975 Montreux Jazz Festival was loaded with many of the most talented jazz artists in the world. A high percentage of them were members of Norman Granz's Pablo fraternity. Naturally, the tape machines were running. Here, the indefatigable Oscar Peterson leads five of his peers in long, but too short, explorations of four favorite pieces. The uncompromising nature of the proceedings is established with Charlie Parker's "Au Privave" at a tempo that would encourage lesser musicians to frantically glance around for the nearest exit. The pace slows a bit for "Here's That Rainy Day," though hardly to ballad speed, and Milt Jackso chases all the clouds away. There is time for reflection during "Poor Butterfly." All the pots are back on for Jackson's "Reunion Blues," in which the solos and the riffing behind them reach a rare pitch of swing.
Oscar Peterson (piano), Milt Jackson (vibes), Joe Pass (guitar), Toots Thielemans (harmonica), Niels-Henning Orsted Pedersen (bass), Louis Bellson (drums).
4 Tracks. Recorded July 16, 1975 at the Montreux Jazz Festival, Switzerland.