Chico O'Farrill, born in Havana, Cuba, was one of the principal forces in the emergence of Afro-Cuban jazz in the alte 1940's and early 1950's. His first major contribution to Afro-Cuban jazz began at a recording session for Machito in late 1950. O'Farrill's sophisticated "Afro-Cuban Jazz Suite" became recognized as a pivitol turning point in adapting Cuban music to modern big band jazz. The sessions for SUPER CHOPS, featuring Chico leading a remarkable big band, were recorded at a rare session for the short lived Versatile label in the late 1970's.