Duke Ellington - Never No Lament: The Blanton-Webster Band, 1940-1942 Disc 1, Disc 2, Disc 3

Duke Ellington - Never No Lament: The Blanton-Webster Band, 1940-1942 Disc 1
Styles: Piano Jazz, Big Band
Year: 1940-1942
Time: 79:41
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Size: 209,0 MB
Art: Front

(3:20) 1. You, You Darlin'
(3:19) 2. Never No Lament
(3:21) 3. Dusk (Take 1)
(2:54) 4. Bojangles
(3:10) 5. A Portrait Of Bert Williams
(3:23) 6. Blue Goose
(3:00) 7. Harlem Air-Shaft
(2:50) 8. At A Dixie Roadside Diner
(3:31) 9. All Too Soon
(2:50) 10. Rumpus In Richmond
(3:27) 11. My Greatest Mistake
(3:17) 12. Jack The Bear
(3:25) 13. Sepia Panorama (Take 1)
(3:13) 14. There Shall Be No Night
(3:17) 15. In A Mellotone
(3:19) 16. Five O'Clock Whistle
(3:09) 17. The Flaming Sword (Take 2)
(3:21) 18. Warm Valley (Take 3)
(2:43) 19. Ko-Ko (Take 2)
(3:18) 20. Morning Glory
(2:54) 21. So Far, So Good
(2:59) 22. Conga Brava
(3:20) 23. Concerto For Cootie
(2:55) 24. Me And You
(3:13) 25. Cotton Tail

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Duke Ellington - Never No Lament: The Blanton-Webster Band, 1940-1942 Disc 2
Time: 78:19
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Size: 204,8 MB

(3:01) 1. Across The Track Blues (Take 1)
(3:27) 2. Chloe (Song Of The Swamp)
(3:33) 3. I Never Felt This Way Before (Take 1)
(3:15) 4. The Sidewalks Of New York
(3:24) 5. Flamingo
(3:20) 6. The Girl In My Dreams Tries To Look Like You (Take 1)
(2:57) 7. Take The "A" Train
(3:34) 8. Jumpin' Punkins (Take 2)
(3:30) 9. John Hardy's Wife
(3:23) 10. Blue Serge
(3:23) 11. After All
(3:26) 12. Bakiff
(3:06) 13. Are You Stickin'? (Take 1)
(3:36) 14. Just A-Sittin' And A-Rockin'
(3:36) 15. The Giddybug Gallop
(3:03) 16. Pitter Panther Patter (Take 2)
(3:11) 17. Body And Soul (Take 3)
(2:47) 18. Sophisticated Lady (Take 2)
(3:09) 19. Mr. J.B. Blues (Take 1)
(2:40) 20. Ko-Ko (Take 1)
(2:46) 21. Bojangles
(3:24) 22. Sepia Panorama (Take 2)
(3:42) 23. Jumpin' Punkins (Take 1)
(2:56) 24. Jump For Joy (Take 2)

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Duke Ellington - Never No Lament: The Blanton-Webster Band, 1940-1942 Disc 3
Time: 78:16
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Size: 206,8 MB

(2:56) 1. Chocolate Shake
(3:21) 2. I Got It Bad (And That Ain't Good) (Take 1)
(3:01) 3. Clementine
(3:11) 4. The Brownskin Gal (In The Calico Gown)
(2:54) 5. Jump For Joy (Take 1)
(3:15) 6. Moon Over Cuba
(3:14) 7. Five O'Clock Drag
(3:09) 8. Rocks In My Bed
(3:07) 9. Bli-Blip
(2:32) 10. Raincheck
(2:48) 11. What Good Would It Do?
(3:17) 12. I Don't Know What Kind Of Blues I Got (Take 1)
(2:56) 13. Chelsea Bridge
(3:10) 14. Perdido (Take 1)
(2:39) 15. The "C" Jam Blues
(3:00) 16. Moon Mist (Take 2)
(3:27) 17. What Am I Here For?
(2:51) 18. I Don't Mind (Take 2)
(3:10) 19. Someone
(3:14) 20. My Little Brown Book
(2:51) 21. Main Stem
(2:43) 22. Johnny Come Lately
(2:36) 23. Hayfoot, Strawfoot (Take 1)
(3:04) 24. Sentimental Lady (Take 1)
(2:58) 25. A Slip Of The Lip (Can Sink A Ship)
(2:38) 26. Sherman Shuffle

Never No Lament: The Blanton-Webster Band is a 2003 three-disc compilation combining the master takes of all the recordings by Duke Ellington's Orchestra during the years of 1940 to 1942 with an additional nine tracks, including five alternative takes and four additional masters. An expanded version of The Blanton–Webster Band, this reissue, according to Allmusic, "truly worth either an initial investment or reinvestment". All About Jazz: New York observed that these performances, from what is often considered "the band in its prime", "not only set the standard for big bands and jazz orchestras, but created an ideal near insurmountable to improve upon". The Penguin Guide to Jazz selected this compilation as part of its suggested "Core Collection."

An earlier collection of recordings from this period was first issued in 1986 by RCA Bluebird containing 66 tracks. This 2003 version draws on the 1999 transfers first issued in The Duke Ellington Centennial Edition: The Complete RCA Victor Recordings (1927-1973) with an additional nine tracks over the 1986 edition, including the Blanton Ellington duos "Pitter Panther Patter" and "Body and Soul".

Ellington put Blanton front-and-center on the bandstand nightly, unheard of for a bassist at the time, together with tenor saxophonist Ben Webster, thus this era of Ellington's ensemble is referred to the Blanton–Webster band.

Bassist Jimmy Blanton was only with the Ellington orchestra for two years, leaving in 1941 due to tuberculosis, and dying the following year at the age of 23. Blanton does not appear on the final 17 tracks of the 2003 collection (CD3 tracks 10-26), having been replaced on bass by Alvin "Junior" Raglin.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Never_No_Lament:_The_Blanton-Webster_Band

Performance: Duke Ellington – piano, celeste (on track 3.2); Rex Stewart – cornet; Cootie Williams – trumpet; Ray Nance – trumpet, violin, vocals; Wallace Jones - trumpet; Juan Tizol – valve trombone; Joe Nanton – trombone; Lawrence Brown – trombone; Barney Bigard – clarinet, tenor saxophone; Johnny Hodges – alto & soprano saxophone, clarinet; Otto Hardwick – alto saxophone; Ben Webster – tenor saxophone; Chauncey Haughton – clarinet, tenor sax; Harry Carney – clarinet, alto & baritone saxophone; Duke Ellington – piano, celeste (on track 3.2); Billy Strayhorn – piano (on tracks 2.5 & 11, 3.8 & 10–12, 22), celeste (3.20); Fred Guy – guitar; Jimmy Blanton – bass; Sonny Greer – drums; Ivie Anderson – vocals; Herb Jeffries – vocals

Never No Lament: The Blanton-Webster Band, 1940-1942 Disc 1, Disc 2
Never No Lament: The Blanton-Webster Band, 1940-1942 Disc 3

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Billy Strayhorn Septet - Watch Your Cue

Styles: Piano Jazz
Year: 2011
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 40:17
Size: 93,0 MB
Art: Front

( 3:06)  1. Watch Your Cue
(10:06)  2. Cue's Blue Now
( 7:21)  3. You Brought a New Kind of Love to Me
( 5:53)  4. Cherry
( 3:31)  5. When I Dream of You
( 6:01)  6. Rose Room
( 4:16)  7. Gone With the Wind

An extravagantly gifted composer, arranger, and pianist some considered him a genius Billy Strayhorn toiled throughout most of his maturity in the gaudy shadow of his employer, collaborator, and friend, Duke Ellington. Only in the last decade has Strayhorn's profile been lifted to a level approaching that of Ellington, where diligent searching of the Strayhorn archives (mainly by David Hajdu, author of the excellent Strayhorn bio Lush Life) revealed that Strayhorn's contribution to the Ellington legacy was far more extensive and complex than once thought. There are several instances where Strayhorn compositions were registered as Ellington/Strayhorn pieces ("Day Dream," "Something to Live For"), where collaborations between the two were listed only under Ellington's name ("Satin Doll," "Sugar Hill Penthouse," "C-Jam Blues"), where Strayhorn pieces were copyrighted under Ellington's name or no name at all. Even tunes that were listed as Strayhorn's alone have suffered; the proverbial man on the street is likely to tell you that "Take the 'A' Train" perhaps Strayhorn's most famous tune is a Duke Ellington song. Still, among musicians and jazz fans, Strayhorn is renowned for acknowledged classics like "Lotus Blossom," "Lush Life," "Rain Check," "A Flower Is a Lovesome Thing," and "Mid-Riff." While tailored for the Ellington idiom, Strayhorn's pieces often have their own bittersweet flavor, and his larger works have coherent, classically influenced designs quite apart from those of Ellington. 

Strayhorn was alternately content with and frustrated by his second-fiddle status, and he was also one of the few openly gay figures in jazz, which probably added more stress to his life. Classical music was Strayhorn's first and life-long musical love. He started out as a child prodigy, gravitating toward Victrolas as a child, and working odd jobs in order to buy a used upright piano while in grade school. He studied harmony and piano in high school, writing the music for a professional musical, Fantastic Rhythm, at 19. But the realities of a black man trying to make it in the then-lily-white classical world, plus exposure to pianists like Art Tatum and Teddy Wilson, led Strayhorn toward jazz. He gigged around Pittsburgh with a combo called the Mad Hatters. Through a friend of a friend, Strayhorn gained an introduction to Duke Ellington when the latter's band stopped in Pittsburgh in 1938. After hearing Strayhorn play, Ellington immediately gave him an assignment, and in January 1939, Strayhorn moved to New York to join Ellington as an arranger, composer, occasional pianist, and collaborator without so much as any kind of contract or verbal agreement. "I don't have any position for you," Ellington allegedly said. "You'll do whatever you feel like doing." A 1940-1941 dispute with ASCAP that kept Ellington's compositions off the radio gave Strayhorn his big chance to contribute several tunes to the Ellington band book, among them "After All," "Chelsea Bridge," "Johnny Come Lately," and "Passion Flower." Over the years, Strayhorn would collaborate (and be given credit) with Ellington in many of his large-scale suites, like "Such Sweet Thunder," "A Drum Is a Woman," "The Perfume Suite," and "The Far East Suite," as well as musicals like Jump for Joy and Saturday Laughter, and the score for the film Anatomy of a Murder. Beginning in the '50s, Strayhorn also took on some projects of his own away from Ellington, including a few solo albums, revues for a New York society called the Copasetics, theater collaborations with Luther Henderson, and songs for his friend Lena Horne. In 1964, Strayhorn was diagnosed with cancer of the esophagus, aggravated by years of smoking and drinking, and he submitted his last composition, "Blood Count," to the Ellington band while in the hospital. Shortly after Strayhorn's death in May 1967, Ellington recorded one of his finest albums and the best introduction to Strayhorn's work, And His Mother Called Him Bill (RCA), in memory of his friend. ~ Richard S.Ginell https://www.allmusic.com/artist/billy-strayhorn-mn0000359199/biography

Watch Your Cue

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Billy Strayhorn - Cue for Saxophone

Styles: Jazz, Post Bop

Year: 1959
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 40:28
Size: 93,9 MB
Art: Front

(10:06)  1. Cue's Blue Noe
( 4:19)  2. Gone with the Wind
( 5:54)  3. Cherry
( 3:10)  4. Watch Your Cue
( 7:23)  5. You Brought a New Kind of Love to Me
( 3:34)  6. When I Dream of You
( 6:02)  7. Rose Room

Composer/arranger/pianist Billy Strayhorn led surprisingly few sessions throughout his career, and this was only his second full-length album. Actually, the main star is altoist Johnny Hodges (who goes here under the pseudonym of "Cue Porter"), while Strayhorn (who plays piano on the seven songs) only co-wrote two basic tunes ("Cue's Blue Now" and "Watch Your Cue") with Hodges and played a fairly minor role. 

Also in the septet are three fellow Ellingtonians (trumpeter Shorty Baker, trombonist Quentin Jackson and clarinetist Russell Procope), along with bassist Al Hall and drummer Oliver Jackson. The results are a fine mainstream session (which has been reissued on this CD) with highlights including "Gone With the Wind," the ten-minute "Cue's Blue Now" and "Rose Room." ~ Scott Yanow https://www.allmusic.com/album/cue-for-saxophone-mw0000653800

Personnel: Billy Strayhorn - piano; "Cue Porter" (Johnny Hodges) - alto saxophone; Harold "Shorty" Baker - trumpet; Quentin Jackson - trombone; Russell Procope - clarinet; Al Hall - bass; Oliver Jackson - drums

Cue for Saxophone

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Billy Strayhorn & Johnny Hodges - The Stanley Dance Sessions

Styles: Piano And Saxophone Jazz
Year: 2005
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 77:42
Size: 180,3 MB
Art: Front

(10:03)  1. Cue's Blue Now
( 4:19)  2. Gone With The Wind
( 5:54)  3. Cherry
( 3:11)  4. Watch Your Cue
( 7:23)  5. You Brought A New Kind Of Love To Me
( 3:33)  6. When I Dream Of You
( 6:09)  7. Rose Room
( 3:00)  8. Don't Get Around Much Anymore
( 3:39)  9. I Got It Bad
( 2:30) 10. Gal From Joe's
( 3:02) 11. Your Love Has Faded
( 3:23) 12. I'm Just A Lucky So And So
( 3:22) 13. Jeep's Blues
( 4:00) 14. Day Dream
( 3:22) 15. Juice-A-Plenty
( 2:36) 16. Azure
( 3:38) 17. Tailor Made
( 4:30) 18. Star Dust

For yet more Strayhorn pleasures and with himself on piano, there are the eight 1959 sides of The Stanley Dance Sessions (originally released on Felsted, London and Verve). Johnny Hodges' growling alto sax on the opener "Cue's Blue Now is the something for which the repeat button must have been invented. On "Rose Room clarinetist Russell Procope juicily works the melody while Hodges & Co. get behind him and even offer some impromptu vocal appreciation. A second session from 1961 includes much of the then-Ellington band with Strayhorn arranging and conducting. Hodges shines again on Ellington's jaunty "Gal From Joe's and for a sampling of big band blazing brass ensemble in peak form there's "Tailor Made . Totally in the groove and devilishly insouciant, this is all perfect, just perfect. ~ Andrew Velez https://www.allaboutjazz.com/billy-strayhorn-lush-life-and-the-stanley-dance-sessions-by-andrew-velez.php

Personnel: Billy Strayhorn: piano; Johnny Hodges: alto saxophone; 1-7 Harold "Shorty" Baker: trumpet; Quentin Jackson: trombone; Johnny Hodges: alto saxophone; Russell Procope: clarinet; Al Hall: bass; Oliver Jackson: drums 8-18 Cat Anderson, Harold "Shorty" Baker, Bill Berry, Howard McGhee, Ed Mullens: trumpet; Lawrence Brown, Quentin Jackson: trombone; Chuck Connors: bass, trombone; Russell Procope: clarinet, alto saxophone; Jimmy Hamilton: clarinet, tenor saxophone; Paul Gonsalves: tenor saxophone; Harry Carney: baritone, bass clarinet; Jimmy Jones: piano; Aaron Bell: bass; Sam Woodward: drums.

The Stanley Dance Sessions

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Billy Strayhorn - The Peaceful Side Of Jazz

Styles: Piano Jazz
Year: 1963
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 35:26
Size: 82,5 MB
Art: Front

(3:27)  1. Lush Life
(2:51)  2. Just A-Sittin' And A-Rockin'
(3:42)  3. Passion Flower
(3:16)  4. Take The "A" Train
(3:40)  5. Strange Feeling
(4:03)  6. Day Dream
(3:17)  7. Chelsea Bridge
(3:21)  8. Multi-Colored Blue
(3:02)  9. Something To Live For
(4:43) 10. A Flower Is A Lovesome Thing

During his twenty-five year tenure with the Duke Ellington Orchestra as composer, lyricist, arranger, and Duke's closest musical confidante, Billy Strayhorn rarely performed in front of a live audience and even less frequently entered a recording studio. Although his piano playing can be heard on a handful of records with the Ellington Orchestra as well as on some of its members' side projects, most notably several dates with Johnny Hodges, Strayhorn made just one album as a featured solo artist. That album, the Peaceful Side of Billy Strayhorn recorded during two overnight sessions in Paris in January 1961, has recently been reissued in the original mono version on Capitol Jazz. It offers a unique opportunity to hear this brilliant composer's own takes on some of his best-known songs, including "Lush Life," "Take the A Train," and "Chelsea Bridge." It was certainly not a lack of technique that kept Strayhorn from recording more often. A classically trained pianist, his playing here is exquisite, evoking the impressionism of Debussy almost as much as the driving jazz of Ellington. This is a quiet, spare recording featuring just Strayhorn's piano with occasional accompaniment by bass, string quartet, or vocal chorus. Strayhorn brings out all the passion and melancholy of his own compostions, which are performed in much more relaxed tempos than we are used to hearing. Even "'A' Train" is treated as a moody ballad. Other highlights include a gently swinging "Just A Sittin' and A Rockin,'" and an exquisite version of the haunting "A Flower is a Lovesome Thing." It is a shame that Strayhorn did not record more, since he brought the same extraordinary musical intelligence and sophistication to his piano playing that he did to his composing. ~ Joel Roberts https://www.allaboutjazz.com/the-peaceful-side-of-billy-strayhorn-billy-strayhorn-capitol-records-review-by-joel-roberts.php

Personnel: Billy Strayhorn - piano; Michel Goudret - bass; Paris Blue Notes - vocal choir; Paris String Quartet - strings

The Peaceful Side Of Jazz

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Johnny Hodges - Storyville Masters Of Jazz

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 2006
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 75:02
Size: 173,4 MB
Art: Front

(3:50)  1. Don't Get Around Much Anymore
(4:13)  2. Passion Flower
(2:56)  3. Perdido
(1:55)  4. All Of Me
(2:30)  5. C Jam Blues
(2:23)  6. I Got It Bad And That Ain't Good
(7:10)  7. In A Mellotone
(3:42)  8. Cambridge Blues
(4:37)  9. Brute's Roots
(2:51) 10. Bouncing With Ben
(5:16) 11. One For The Duke
(5:49) 12. Walkin' The Frog
(4:52) 13. Rabbit Pie
(4:17) 14. On The Sunny Side Of The Street
(3:36) 15. Good Queen Bess
(2:53) 16. The Jeep Is Jumpin'
(5:22) 17. Things Ain't What They Used To Be
(2:34) 18. Jeep's Blues
(4:05) 19. Dooji Wooji

Johnny Hodges is forever associated with Duke Ellington as one of his principle soloists, though he recorded extensively as a bandleader himself beginning in the '50s. This compilation draws from earlier Storyville releases, including a number of features for the alto saxophonist with Ellington, highlighted by "All of Me" and "Jeep's Blues." But the bulk of this CD contains all ten tracks of Hodges' earlier disc, Masters of Jazz, Vol. 9, which features the saxophonist leading two separate groups of all-stars in club settings. Six tracks come from a 1960 set at The Cellar in San Francisco, with Ben Webster providing a perfect foil for Hodges, all originals by the leader. Four selections come from a Norman Granz-sponsored European tour in 1961, where Hodges led a group of fellow Ellington veterans (Harry Carney, Ray Nance, Lawrence Brown, Aaron Bell and Sam Woodyard, with pianist Al Williams). Hodges' swinging take of "On the Sunny Side of the Street" is brilliant, with the other horn providing lush background and soft rifts for the soloist. In addition to Hodges, Brown also solos in both "Good Queen Bess" and a rousing "Things Ain't What They Used to Be." Highly recommended! ~ Ken Dryden https://www.allmusic.com/album/masters-of-jazz-mw0000547336      

Personnel: Johnny Hodges (alto saxophone); Herb Ellis, Fred Guy (guitar); Russell Procope (clarinet, alto saxophone); Harry Carney (bass clarinet, baritone saxophone); Oett "Sax" Mallard (alto saxophone); Jimmy Hamilton, John Coltrane, Paul Gonsalves, Ben Webster (tenor saxophone); Harold Baker, Al Killian, Ray Nance, Rex Stewart, Shelton Hemphill, Francis Williams , Wallace Jones, Cat Anderson (trumpet); Joseph Nanton, Lawrence D. Brown, Juan Tizol, Quentin Jackson, Tyree Glenn (trombone); Victor Feldman, Duke Ellington, Lou Levy, Billy Strayhorn (piano); Gus Johnson , Sam Woodyard, Sonny Greer (drums).

Storyville Masters Of Jazz

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Ben Webster - The Soul Of Ben Webster (2-Disc Set)

Bass – Jimmy Woode (tracks: CD2: 4-14), Milt Hinton (tracks: CD1: 1-7), Ray Brown (tracks: CD1: 8-12; CD2: 1-3); Drums – Alvin Stoller (tracks: CD1: 8-12; CD2: 1-3), Dave Bailey (tracks: CD1: 1-7), Sam Woodyard (tracks: CD2: 4-14); Guitar – Barney Kessel (tracks: CD1: 8, 9, 12; CD2: 1, 3), Herb Ellis (tracks: CD1: 10, 11; CD2: 2), Mundell Lowe (tracks: CD1: 1-7); Piano – Billy Strayhorn (tracks: CD2: 4-14), Jimmy Jones (3) (tracks: CD1: 1-7), Oscar Peterson (tracks: CD1: 8-12; CD2: 1-3); Saxophone [Alto] – Johnny Hodges (tracks: CD2: 4-14); Saxophone [Tenor] – Ben Webster (tracks: CD1: 2, 5, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12; CD2: 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 10, 12, 13), Harold Ashby (tracks: CD1: 1, 3, 4, 6, 7); Trombone – Vic Dickenson (tracks: CD2: 5, 7, 8, 10, 12, 13); Trumpet – Art Farmer (tracks: CD1: 1, 3, 4, 6, 7), Harry Edison (tracks: CD1: 8-12; CD2: 1-3), Roy Eldridge (tracks: CD2: 5, 7, 8, 10, 12, 13).

How can you go wrong with this 2 CD set that combines three late 1950's Verve recordings by Ben Webster, Harry "Sweets" Edison and Johnny Hodges into one set. Roy Eldridge comes along for the ride as well as a few other notables from the Norman Granz stable. This collection of music includes a lot of swing renditions of classic standards and some blues, and a few ballads. Each leader shines on his respective set, especially Edison who's selection of 8 tunes is heavily swing/blues oriented in a very Basie-esque style. Highly recommended if you're a small ensemble swing fan. ~William Faust

Album: The Soul Of Ben Webster (Disc 1)
Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 74:28
Size:  172,3MB
Styles: Mainstream jazz, Jazz instrument, Saxophone jazz
Year: 1995

( 3:48)  1. Fajista
( 3:40)  2. Chelsea Bridge
(15:31)  3. Charlotte's Piccolo
( 4:10)  4. Coal Train
( 4:53)  5. When I Fall In Love
( 4:23)  6. Ev's Mad
( 8:24)  7. Ash
( 4:51)  8. Blues For The Blues
( 7:40)  9. Blues For Piney Brown
( 3:58) 10. Moonlight In Vermont
( 7:11) 11. Taste On The Place
( 5:52) 12. Blues For The Blues

The Soul Of Ben Webster (Disc 1)

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Album: The Soul Of Ben Webster (Disc 2)
Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 78:16
Size:  181,4MB
Styles: Mainstream jazz, Jazz instrument, Saxophone jazz
Year: 1995
Art: Front

(3:39)  1. Gee, Baby, Ain't I Good To You?
(9:33)  2. Blues For Bill Basie
(6:53)  3. You're Getting To Be A Habit With Me
(3:34)  4. I Didn't Know About You
(9:39)  5. Reelin' And Rockin'
(3:20)  6. Gone With The Wind
(4:04)  7. Honey Hill
(3:24)  8. Blues-A-Plenty
(3:43)  9. Don't Take Your Love From Me
(6:01) 10. Saturday Afternoon Blues
(5:04) 11. Satin Doll
(3:46) 12. Cool Your Motor
(9:44) 13. Reelin' And Rockin'
(5:45) 14. Don't Take Your Love From Me

The Soul Of Ben Webster (Disc 2)

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Rosemary Clooney, Duke Ellington & His Orchestra - Blue Rose

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 44:14
Size: 101.3 MB
Styles: Vocal jazz, Big band
Year: 1956/2008
Art: Front

[3:52] 1. Hey Baby
[2:57] 2. Sophisticated Lady
[2:28] 3. Me And You
[4:33] 4. Passion Flower
[2:37] 5. I Let A Song Go Out Of My Heart
[2:48] 6. It Don't Mean A Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing)
[4:10] 7. Grievin'
[2:21] 8. Blue Rose
[3:09] 9. I'm Checkin' Out, Goombye
[3:07] 10. I Got It Bad (And That Ain't Good)
[6:28] 11. Mood Indigo
[3:01] 12. If You Were In My Place (What Would You Do )
[2:39] 13. Just A-Sittin' And A-Rockin'

Billy Strayhorn conceived of this 1956 album while watching Duke perform in New York; it's all Strayhorn compositions arranged by the master himself, with Ro Clooney the perfect vocalist for the job.

Blue Rose

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Johnny Hodges & His Orchestra - Not So Dukish

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 37:13
Size: 85.2 MB
Styles: Saxophone jazz
Year: 2010
Art: Front

[5:56] 1. M. H. R.
[2:44] 2. Broadway Babe
[2:22] 3. Three And Six
[7:50] 4. Not So Dukish
[3:23] 5. Central Park Swing
[8:25] 6. Preacher Blues
[3:36] 7. Jeep Bounced Back
[2:55] 8. The Last Time I Saw Paris

Roy Eldridge, Ray Nance (tp), Lawrence Brown (tb), Johnny Hodges (as), Ben Webster (ts), Billy Strayhorn (p), Jimmy Woode (b) and Sam Woodyard (d). Recorded in New York City, on September 10, 1958.

As Duke Ellington's altoist during 1928-51 and 1955-70, Johnny Hodges became world famous and beloved by jazz fans. His luscious tone and melodic style on ballads, blues and swing tunes was highly influential, making him the top altoist (along with Benny Carter) before the rise of Charlie Parker. Hodges led quite a few sessions of his own along the way,. During 1951-55 broke away from Ellington to lead his own combo, before returning for another 15 years.

Not So Dukish is an album recorded by American jazz saxophonist Johnny Hodges featuring performances recorded in 1958 and released on the Verve label.

Not So Dukish

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Ben Webster - Jazz 'Round Midnight

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 1993
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 64:58
Size: 152,9 MB
Art: Front

(3:10)  1. In The Wee Small Hours Of The Morning
(4:15)  2. Time On My Hands
(4:48)  3. Early Autumn
(4:12)  4. Prisoner Of Love
(4:56)  5. When I Fall In Love
(4:37)  6. Willow Weep For Me
(4:44)  7. Prelude To A Kiss
(3:37)  8. Chelsea Bridge
(3:22)  9. My Funny Valentine
(6:50) 10. You're Getting To Be A Habit With Me
(4:40) 11. Where Are You
(3:29) 12. Ill Wind
(4:42) 13. All Too Soon
(3:00) 14. Tenderly
(4:30) 15. We'll Be Together Again

Ben Webster is probably best known for his eloquent ballad playing. On Jazz 'Round Midnight, we are treated to no less than 15 ballads, all of which are performed superbly. Webster is one of the great jazz romantics, and his sultry ballad style stirs the heart and soul with every phrase. It's not just the way he caresses each note, or the thick airy sound he gets on his tenor sax; it's the lyrical, almost voice-like character of his playing that makes all of these songs so memorable. Backed by such notables as Oscar Peterson and Ray Brown, Webster's renditions of "You're Getting To Be a Habit With Me," "In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning," "We'll Be Together Again," and others, sparkle with vitality, romance, and warmth. Finally, Webster's idol, Coleman Hawkins, sits in on "Prisoner of Love" making this CD sparkle even that much more. One of the great jazz ballad albums, Jazz 'Round Midnight is a must for any candlelight dinner. http://www.allmusic.com/album/jazz-round-midnight-ben-webster-mw0000093614

Personnel: Ben Webster (tenor saxophone); Herb Ellis, Barney Kessel, Mundell Lowe (guitar); Al Young (flute, alto saxophone); Jimmy Hamilton, Tony Scott (clarinet); Coleman Hawkins (tenor saxophone); Danny Bank (baritone saxophone); Harry "Sweets" Edison (trumpet); Hank Jones , Jimmy Jones , Oscar Peterson, Teddy Wilson, Billy Strayhorn (piano); Dave Bailey , Ed Thigpen, Jo Jones , Louie Bellson, Alvin Stoller, Osie Johnson, Stan Levey (drums).

Jazz 'Round Midnight

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Johnny Hodges, Billy Strayhorn & Orchestra - S/T

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 36:30
Size: 83.6 MB
Styles: Saxophone jazz
Year: 1961/1999
Art: Front

[2:59] 1. Don't Get Around Much Anymore
[3:35] 2. I Got It Bad (And That Ain't Good)
[2:26] 3. The Gal From Joe's
[2:59] 4. Your Love Has Faded
[3:25] 5. I'm Just A Lucky So And So
[3:17] 6. Jeep's Blues
[3:55] 7. Day Dream
[3:18] 8. Juice A-Plenty
[2:32] 9. Azure
[3:34] 10. Tailor Made
[4:24] 11. Stardust

Alto saxophonist Johnny Hodges recorded frequently for Verve in the 1950s and 1960s, although nearly all of the musicians on this CD are from the Ellington orchestra and the arrangements are by Billy Strayhorn. Hodges is never less than superb throughout this reissue, while Lawrence Brown, Harry Carney and non-Ellingtonians Howard McGhee on trumpet and pianist Jimmy Jones also deserve praise. Strayhorn's exotic chart of "Azure" and emotional scoring of "Your Love Has Faded" are especially striking. Recommended. ~Ken Dryden

Johnny Hodges, Billy Strayhorn & Orchestra

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Duke Ellington And Johnny Hodges - Side By Side

Styles: Piano Jazz

Year: 2014

File: MP3@320K/s

Time: 46:13

Size: 107,6 MB

Art: Front

(6:41)  1. Stompy Jones

(4:38)  2. Squeeze Me

(5:39)  3. Big Shoe

(4:54)  4. Going Up

(5:55)  5. Just A Memory

(6:50)  6. Let's Fall In Love

(2:35)  7. Ruint

(3:01)  8. Bend One

(5:57)  9. You Need To Rock

Topping off a wealth of full-band recordings, the various stars of Ellington's great outfit recorded many combo sides under their own names. And while not on the same sophisticated level of classic Ellingtonia, the late-'30s material cut by Johnny Hodges, Cootie Williams, and Rex Stewart is packed with tasty solo work and some of the finest examples of early small-group swing. These later examples from 1958-1959 feature Hodges backed by both Ellington and Billy Strayhorn on piano and such non-Duke luminaries as Ben Webster, Roy Eldridge, Harry "Sweets" Edison, and Jo Jones. Like its companion album, Back to Back, Side by Side has a loose, jam session feel, with all the soloists stretching out. Hodges is in top form throughout, while Edison and Webster man their spots just fine. Highlights include the sveltely swinging "Going Up" and Hodges' bluesy closer, "You Need to Rock." A must for fans of vintage combo swing. ~ Stephen Cook  http://www.allmusic.com/album/side-by-side-mw0000191768

Personnel:  Duke Ellington – p;  Johnny Hodges – as;  Harry "Sweets" Edison - tp (1, 2, 4);  Lawrence Brown - tb (3, 5, 7-9);  Ben Webster - ts (3, 5-9);  Billy Strayhorn - p (3, 5-9);  Les Spann - g (1, 2), fl (4);  Al Hall - b (1, 2, 4);  Wendell Marshall - b (3, 5-9);  Jo Jones - d

Side By Side

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Clark Terry - Duke With A Difference

Styles: Trumpet Jazz
Year: 1957
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 38:25
Size: 88,3 MB
Art: Front

(3:02)  1. C Jam Blues
(3:00)  2. In a Sentimental Mood
(6:54)  3. Cotton Tail
(6:14)  4. Just Squeeze Me (But Don't Tease Me)
(6:55)  5. Mood Indigo
(3:29)  6. Take the A Train
(5:11)  7. In a Mellow Tone
(3:35)  8. Come Sunday

For this CD reissue of a Riverside set, trumpeter Clark Terry and some of the top Ellington sidemen of the period (trombonist Britt Woodman, altoist Johnny Hodges, tenor saxophonist Paul Gonsalves, Tyree Glenn on vibes, bassist Jimmy Woode, and drummer Sam Woodyard) perform eight songs associated with Duke, but with fresh arrangements. There is plenty of solo space for Terry, Gonsalves, and Hodges, and the arrangements by Terry and Mercer Ellington cast a new light on some of the warhorses; highlights include "C Jam Blues," "Cotton Tail," "Mood Indigo," and "Come Sunday." 

~ Scott Yanow  http://www.allmusic.com/album/duke-with-a-difference-mw0000315033

Personnel: Clark Terry (trumpet); Marian Bruce (vocals); Johnny Hodges (alto saxophone); Paul Gonsalves (tenor saxophone); Britt Woodman, Quentin Jackson (trombone); Billy Strayhorn (piano); Tyree Glenn (vibraphone); Jimmy Woode (bass); Sam Woodyard (drums).

Duke With A Difference

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Joya Sherrill - Joya Sherrill Sings Duke

Styles: Jazz, Vocal
Year: 1999
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 33:34
Size: 77,4 MB
Art: Front

(2:15)  1. Mood Indigo
(3:48)  2. Prelude To a Kiss
(1:55)  3. I'm Beginning to See the Light
(2:49)  4. Sophisticated Lady
(1:48)  5. Kissing Bug
(2:22)  6. In A Sentimental Mood
(2:35)  7. Duke's Place
(2:50)  8. I'm Just a Lucky So and So
(3:53)  9. Day Dream
(3:32) 10. Things Ain'T What They Used To Be
(2:48) 11. Just Squeeze Me (But Don't Tease Me)
(2:52) 12. A Flower Is a Lovesome Thing

One of the best singers who toured with Duke Ellington, she seemed to be a natural choice for a feature album, only this release was produced by Mercer Ellington with a number of Ellington veterans in the supporting cast and Billy Strayhorn at the piano. Sherrill's confidence singing the twelve gems from the band repertoire allows her to let the timelessness of the music and lyrics speak for itself rather than overembelish the songs. 

Her superb diction and warm sound are complemented by brief accents by alto saxophonist Johnny Hodges on "Prelude To A Kiss," the muted cornet of Ray Nance on a sassy "I'm Beginning To See The Night," and Nance's violin on her moving take of "Day Dream." This rare outing away from the full band, now available on CD, is worth acquiring. ~ Ken Dryden  

http://www.allmusic.com/album/joya-sherrill-sings-duke-mw0000239630

Personnel: Joya Sherrill (vocals); Johnny Hodges (alto saxophone); Paul Gonsalves (tenor saxophone); Cootie Williams (trumpet); Ray Nance (violin, cornet); Ernie Harper, Billy Strayhorn (piano); Joe Benjamin, John Lamb (bass); Shep Shepard, Sam Woodyard (drums).

Joya Sherrill Sings Duke

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Duke Ellington - Jazz Caravan

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 65:22
Size: 149.7 MB
Styles: Big band, Swing
Year: 2002
Art: Front

[4:36] 1. Take The A Train
[3:12] 2. Creole Love Call
[3:32] 3. The Mooche
[2:54] 4. Shout 'em Aunt Tillie
[4:01] 5. Creole Rhapsody, Part 1
[4:23] 6. Creole Rhapsody, Part 2 Take 3
[3:10] 7. Rude Interlude (Take 1)
[2:47] 8. Rumpus In Richmond
[3:19] 9. Concerto For Cootie
[3:19] 10. Dusk (Take 1)
[2:52] 11. Me And You
[2:59] 12. Transblucency
[2:46] 13. Tonk
[4:13] 14. Caravan
[2:37] 15. Depk
[7:04] 16. The Majesty Of God
[7:31] 17. East Saint Louis Toodle-O Lot O' Fingers Black And Tan Fantasy

Part of the extensive BLUEBIRD'S BEST series of samplers of the work of jazz masters, JAZZ CARAVAN is an entry-level best-of that culls pieces from several periods of Duke Ellington's long career. As well as his signature "Take the 'A' Train," there are early works like "Creole Love Call" and "The Mooche," and "Tonk," a rarely heard duet with his longtime collaborator, Billy Strayhorn. The set also includes "Depk," from Ellington's FAR EAST SUITE, "The Majesty of God," from his THIRD SACRED CONCERT, and the beautiful, crepuscular "Transblucency," featuring Adelaide Hall's ethereal, wordless vocals.

Duke Ellington (piano); Ivie Anderson, Louis Bacon, Adelaide Hall, Kay Davis, Alice Babs (vocals); Ray Nance (violin); Jimmy Hamilton, Rudy Jackson, Barney Bigard (clarinet); Harry Carney (alto saxophone, baritone saxophone); Johnny Hodges (alto saxophone); Cootie Williams, Arthur Whetsol, Bubber Miley (trumpet); Rex Stewart (cornet); Juan Tizol, Lawrence Brown (trombone); Billy Strayhorn (piano). Recording information: Camden, NJ (10/26/1927-10/24/1973); Chicago, IL (10/26/1927-10/24/1973); Hollywood, CA (10/26/1927-10/24/1973); London, England (10/26/1927-10/24/1973); New York, NY (10/26/1927-10/24/1973); Seattle, WA (10/26/1927-10/24/1973). All tracks have been digitally remastered.

Jazz Caravan

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Sathima Bea Benjamin - A Morning In Paris

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 42:21
Size: 97.0 MB
Styles: Jazz vocals
Year: 1963/2008
Art: Front

[3:46] 1. Darn That Dream
[4:32] 2. I Got It Bad (And That Ain't Good)
[3:19] 3. I Could Write A Book
[3:11] 4. I Should Care
[2:00] 5. Spring Will Be A Little Late This Year
[3:29] 6. Solitude
[4:15] 7. The Man I Love
[2:37] 8. Your Love Has Faded
[3:17] 9. I'm Glad There Is You
[3:08] 10. Soon
[3:29] 11. Lover Man
[5:13] 12. A Nightingale Sang In Berkeley Square

In 1963, singer Sathima Bea Benjamin persuaded Duke Ellington to see her future husband, Abdullah Ibrahim (then known as Dollar Brand), play in a club in Europe. Ellington was impressed by both of the recent South African émigrés and arranged with Reprise to record them. While Brand's record came out within a year, Benjamin's debut was lost and not heard for decades, even by the singer. As it turned out, engineer Gerhard Lehner had made a second copy and kept it for all of these years, so the initial 1997 release of this important session was possible. Backed by pianist Ibrahim, bassist Johnny Gertze, drummer Makaya Ntshoko, and (on two songs apiece) Duke Ellington or Billy Strayhorn, and occasionally joined by violinist Svend Asmussen (who here plays exclusively pizzicato, as if he were using a high-pitched guitar), Benjamin's voice sounds quite beautiful. She performs two Ellington tunes, Strayhorn's "Your Love Has Faded," and nine standards, with the emphasis on slow ballads. The moody music is often haunting and quite memorable. ~ Scott Yanow

Recorded at Barclay Studios, Paris, France on February 23, 1963.

Sathima Bea Benjamin (vocals); Svend Asmussen (violin); Duke Ellington, Billy Strayhorn, Abdullah Ibrahim (piano); Johnny Gertze (bass); Makaya Ntshoko (drums).

A Morning In Paris

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