The jam session is not every jazz musician's preferred setting. Some of the best avoid the genre, with its potential for repetition and boredom. Others thrive on the anticipation that something extraordinary might happen. The eight men ushered onto the Montreux stage one July night in 1975 fit the latter category. A look at this lineup of musicians and the acronym of Jazz At The Philharmonic may lead you to expect slight disorganization and all-out blowing. Your expectations are about to be fulfilled. Take "Autumn Leaves." It begins with a certain flailing about, but by the time Clark Terry's turn comes, he is inspired to perform one of his hottest solos on record. Later, he is equally dazzling on "If I Had You." Terry had a great night. But then, so did Zoot Sims, Tommy Flanagan, Roy Eldridge, Benny Carter, and the whole crew.

with Zoot Sims, Clark Terry, Roy Eldridge, Benny Carter, Joe Pass, Tommy Flanagan, Keter Betts, Bobby Durham