The Dave Brubeck Quartet, featuring Paul Desmond, was one of the most popular jazz acts of 1956, The J.J. Johnson - Kai Winding Quintet was another. To have them both on one LP playing live at Newport was a rare treat. As pointed out in the excellent liner notes on the back cover, this was one of set recordings by Columbia artists released from their Newport performances. Each band was asked to prepare new material for the show so buyers would not be hearing previously released tracks.