Hawkins literally inventeed jazz saxophone, starred in the first jazz big band, and played with unfailing strength and invention into the Sisties. When Riverside invited him to assemble his choice of an ideal small group, The Hawk picked an impressive cast that ran the gamut from modern (J. J. Johnson) through mainstream (Hank Jones) and on back to Swing (ex-Basie drummer Jo Jones) and created a powerful album that stands as a lasting part of his legacy.