It is a widely held view that big bands were the breeding ground for a whole new style of post-bop jazz, often referred to in the 1950s as modern jazz, and trumpeter Conte Candoli and saxophonist Zoot Sims were two perfect examples of soloists who emerged from big bands. Conte stood out as a brilliant soloist, with a bop-influenced style, and would later also become a much sought-after studio musician. Zoot, for his part, displayed from the start an earthy quality in his playing that was neither new nor old, nor concerned with belonging to any particular "school" other than a swinging one.

Conte and Zoot met in Stan Kenton's band in 1953, the year the band made its first European tour. They became friends and later both settled in Los Angeles, where, in addition to their club appearances leading their own groups, they participated together and separately in several recording sessions throughout 1955 with some of the best local jazzmen. Years later, they met again in Woody Herman's band in 1959, and the following year became members of Gerry Mulligan's Concert Jazz Band, with whom they also traveled to Europe.

—Jordi Pujol (Taken from the inside liner-notes of FSRCD 1156)