At the 1987 Mt. Fuji Jazz Festival, drummer Art Blakey took time off from leading the Jazz Messengers to head a big band.

On a rather uptempo version of “A Night In Tunisia,” after Blakey brings it in, trumpeter Woody Shaw (just two years before his passing) takes a blazing solo.

Herbie Hancock also swings hard during his piano solo, clearly enjoying playing in this special setting.

-Scott Yanow