Recorded live at the Black Hawk, San Francisco in September 1959, At The Blackhawk, Vol. 1 is the first of four volumes released in 1960. Featuring six cuts, Shelly Manne (drums) is joined by Joe Gordon (trumpet), Richie Kamuca (tenor sax), Victor Feldman (piano) and Monty Budwig (bass).

This new edition of the album is released as part of the Contemporary Records Acoustic Sounds series on 180-gram vinyl pressed at QRP with (AAA) lacquers cut from the original tapes by Bernie Grundman and is presented in a tip-on jacket.