The album was recorded live at the Marciac Jazz Festival in 1999. Marsalis composed the suite as a tribute to the town of Marciac and its annual jazz festival.
The work combines elements of traditional jazz with influences from French music and Gascon culture. It includes pieces evoking landscapes and characters of the Occitan region.
The record was released in 2000 by Columbia Records. It received positive reviews for its ambitious fusion of styles and the masterful performance of Marsalis's septet.