Wild Bill Davis, Johnny Hodges - Con-Soul and Sax

Styles: Post Bop, Saxophone Jazz
Year: 1965
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 36:59
Size: 85,3 MB
Art: Front

(3:47)  1. On the Sunny Side of the Street
(3:15)  2. On Green Dolphin Street
(4:10)  3. Lil' Darlin'
(4:52)  4. Con-Soul and Sax
(2:30)  5. The Jeep Is Jumpin'
(3:25)  6. I'm Beginning to See the Light
(4:01)  7. Sophisticated Lady
(4:25)  8. Drop Me Off In Harlem
(3:21)  9. No One
(3:09) 10. Johnny Come Lately

Con-Soul & Sax is an album by American jazz saxophonist Johnny Hodges and organist Wild Bill Davis featuring performances recorded in 1965 and released on the RCA Victor label. The title is a play on words based on the term "console organ", a term used by the Hammond organ company to describe the type of organs favored by Davis. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Con-Soul_%26_Sax

Personnel:  Wild Bill Davis - organ; Johnny Hodges - alto saxophone; Dickie Thompson, Mundell Lowe - guitar; Milt Hinton, George Duvivier - double bass; Osie Johnson - drums

Con-Soul and Sax

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Johnny Hodges - In Concert

Styles: Saxophone Jazz, Swing
Year: 2023
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 70:42
Size: 163,3 MB
Art: Front

(4:56) 1. C Jam Blues
(2:27) 2. The Jeep Is Jumpin'
(3:50) 3. Good Queen Bess
(5:50) 4. Things Ain't What They Used To Be
(4:13) 5. Sophisticated Lady
(1:11) 6. I Let A Song Go Out Of My Heart
(2:38) 7. Don't Get Around Anymore
(2:47) 8. Just Squeeze Me
(2:42) 9. Do Nothin' Till You Hear From Me
(2:48) 10. Rose Of Rio Grande
(2:22) 11. All Of Me
(3:55) 12. On The Sunny Side Of The Street
(9:36) 13. Perdido
(2:45) 14. Take The A Train
(2:20) 15. Mood Indigo
(2:28) 16. Solitude
(2:33) 17. Satin Doll
(2:52) 18. I Got It Bad And That Ain't Good
(4:15) 19. Rocking In Rhythm
(4:04) 20. Autumn Leaves

Well-honed musicians schooled in Ellington texts. There are twenty pieces in the seventy minutes of playing time by this group. Duke Ellington was in Paris, writing the score for the film ‘Paris Blues’. There was free time for the band, so impresario Norman Granz pulled some of them together, under the leadership of Johnny Hodges, and set up a tour. One of the concerts was held at the Sportpalast in Berlin and eventually a 2CD recording was issued by the Pablo label. Another concert took place in Paris and was issued on the Fremaux label. This, the Copenhagen concert, is a new issue.

Ellington devotees shuddered at Ellington concerts when the dreaded medley was signalled. Ellington explained that many in his audience expected to hear some his popular pieces, so he assembled the hits together to get them out of the way before presenting some new work.

This album is like an extended medley: most of the pieces are around three or four minutes, only ‘Perdido’ is longer. The individual musicians go through what they longer. normally played on Ellington concerts. Johnny Hodges graces ‘Things Ain’t What They Used To Be’. Lawrence Brown slides through ’Rose Of The Rio Grande’. Harry Carney brings out ‘Sophisticated Lady’ and finishes with the long note and the circular breathing that he performed on every Ellington concert. Ray Nance, an excellent trumpet player also sings ‘Don’t Get Around Much Anymore’ and ‘Just Squeeze Me’.

Al Williams has the unenviable task of playing the Ellington role. He has the long introduction to ‘Perdido’ and that is his main contribution to the evening.

It is always good to hear these musicians. They all had their own individual sound, the sound as important as the content they played. Hodges was the most important alto player in the pre-Parker era. Strayhorn’s writing brought out his romanticism. Harry Carney’s sound was as mature and satisfying as black tobacco, always worth listening to even when he is on auto pilot. Many in the audience would leave the concert hall with a warm feeling knowing that they had seen legends: Hodges, Nance, Carney, Lawrence Brown, Sam Woodyard.

There are no surprises here and little improvisation. The absence of Ellington means that there is no one to challenge them. The main players are the spine of an Ellington band that was about to embark in the sixties on a journey that would produce the ‘New Orleans Suite’, the ‘Far East Suite’, The Afro Eurasian Eclipse’, ‘The Latin American Suite’, ‘Suite Thursday, the ‘Goutelas Suite,’,’ The Uwis Suite’, ‘The River Suite’, , ‘TheTogo Brava Suite’. Here they are relaxing on a well-paid European holiday playing pieces that they could negotiate in their sleep. You really do have to treasure them. We didn’t realise how lucky we were.

Personnel: Johnny Hodges (saxophone); Ray Nance (trumpet, violin, vocal); Lawrence Brown (trombone); Harry Carney (baritone); Al Williams (piano); Aaron Bell (bass); Sam Woodyard (drums)

In Concert

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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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Johnny Hodges & His Orchestra - In a Tender Mood (Remastered)

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 2011
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 37:13
Size: 86,7 MB
Art: Front

(3:06)  1. Who's Excited
(3:22)  2. Sweepin' the Blues Away
(2:50)  3. Standing Room Only
(3:07)  4. Below the Azores
(6:04)  5. Sweet Georgia Brown
(6:08)  6. Duke's Blues
(3:21)  7. Tenderly
(3:03)  8. Tea for Two
(3:26)  9. What's I'm Gotchere
(2:43) 10. Nothin' Yet

Johnny certainly is in a tender mood here playing soulful ballads and mellow tunes with a small combo that includes Flip Phillips on tenor, Lawrence Brown on trombone, Leroy Lovett on piano, and Ray Brown on bass. The sound is laidback and easily swinging with a real focus on Johnny's warm and fluid alto work and the set features some nice original tunes that include "Who's Excited", "Sweepin The Blues Away", "Standing Room Only", "Below The Azores", and "Duke's Blues" plus "Tenderly" and "Nothin Yet".  © 1996-2019, Dusty Groove, Inc. https://www.dustygroove.com/item/366492

Personnel:   Johnny Hodges - alto saxophone; Emmett Berry - trumpet;  Lawrence Brown - trombone;  Leroy Lovett - piano

In a Tender Mood

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Johnny Hodges - Triple Play

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 47:47
Size: 109.4 MB
Styles: Saxophone jazz
Year: 1967/2015
Art: Front

[3:38] 1. Take 'em Off, Take 'em Off, Pt. 1
[2:55] 2. Take 'em Off, Take 'em Off, Pt. 2
[3:45] 3. The Nearness Of You
[3:52] 4. Monkey On A Limb
[4:53] 5. A Tiny Bit Of Blues
[3:01] 6. For Jammers Only (A.K.A. Wild Onions)
[2:51] 7. On The Way Up
[3:19] 8. Big Boy Blues
[2:48] 9. The Very Thought Of You
[6:21] 10. Fur Piece
[3:18] 11. Sir John
[2:38] 12. Figurine
[4:20] 13. C-Jam Blues

Baritone Saxophone – Harry Carney; Bass – Aaron Bell, Joe Benjamin, Milt Hinton; Cornet – Ray Nance; Drums – Gus Johnson, Oliver Jackson, Rufus Jones; Guitar – Billy Butler, Les Spann, Tiny Grimes; Leader, Alto Saxophone – Johnny Hodges; Piano – Hank Jones, Jimmy Jones, Nat Pierce; Piano – Jimmy Jones; Tenor Saxophone – Jimmy Hamilton, Paul Gonsalves; Trombone – Benny Powell, Buster Cooper, Lawrence Brown; Trumpet – Cat Anderson, Roy Eldridge; Vibraphone – Bill Berry.

Altoist Johnny Hodges is heard in three different settings on this reissue CD. Such top swing stars as trumpeters Ray Nance, Cat Anderson and Roy Eldridge, trombonists Buster Cooper, Lawrence Brown and Benny Powell, tenors Paul Gonsalves and Jimmy Hamilton, baritonist Harry Carney, pianists Hank Jones and Jimmy Jones (the latter two sometimes together), guitarists Tiny Grimes, Les Spann and Billy Butler, bassists Milt Hinton, Aaron Bell and Joe Benjamin and drummers Gus Johnson, Rufus Jones and Oliver Jackson are heard in nonets with the great altoist. Despite the many changes in personnel, the music is pretty consistent, with basic swinging originals, blues and ballads all heard in equal proportion. As usual, Johnny Hodges ends up as the main star. ~Scott Yanow

Triple Play mc
Triple Play zippy

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Johnny Hodges & Wild Bill Davis - Wings And Things

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 1965
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 35:50
Size: 82,3 MB
Art: Front

(7:16)  1. Wings and Things
(3:16)  2. The Nearness of You
(3:56)  3. Imbo
(3:58)  4. Take The "A" Train
(7:47)  5. Spotted Dog
(2:43)  6. Casanova
(3:24)  7. Dow De Dow Dow Dow
(3:26)  8. Peg O'My Heart

One of the best records to offer the team of alto giant Johnny Hodges and Hammond player Wild Bill Davis not just because there's a great soul food cover on the front, but also because the group features Grant Green on guitar! 

The group plays a number of originals, with a solid soul jazz sound that borders on a Blue Note bag and titles include "Wings & Things", "Dow De Dow Dow Dow", "Casanova", and "Spotted Dog". (MGM pressing. Cover has wear & stains, with a cutout hole.)  © 1996-2018, Dusty Groove, Inc. https://www.dustygroove.com/item/11716/Johnny-Hodges-Wild-Bill-Davis:Wings-Things 

Personnel:  Johnny Hodges - alto saxophone;  Wild Bill Davis - organ;  Lawrence Brown - trombone;  Grant Green - guitar;   Hank Jones - piano;  Richard Davis - double bass;  Ben Dixon - drums

Wings And Things

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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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Duke Ellington, Coleman Hawkins - Duke Ellington Meets Coleman Hawkins

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 44:47
Size: 102.5 MB
Styles: Swing
Year: 1962/1995/2010
Art: Front

[5:13] 1. Limbo Jazz
[5:54] 2. Mood Indigo
[4:02] 3. Ray Charles' Place
[4:58] 4. Wanderlust
[4:17] 5. You Dirty Dog
[3:51] 6. Self-Portrait (Of The Bean)
[4:47] 7. The Jeep Is Jumpin'
[5:50] 8. The Ricitic
[5:50] 9. Solitude

Ray Nance: cornet and violin; Lawrence Brown: trombone; Johnny Hodges: alto sax; Harry Carney: baritone sax and bass clarinet; Coleman Hawkins: tenor sax; Duke Ellington: piano; Aaron Bell: bass; Sam Woodyard: drums.

This extraordinary 1962 session was the realization of a promise made thirty years earlier between the maestro, Duke Ellington, and the father of the tenor saxophone, Coleman Hawkins, that they would some day make a record together. Released a mere two months ahead of the largely iconic Ellington-Coltrane meeting, the earlier date is distinguished by the creative energies and commitment both men bring to the proceedings, with Ellington producing a scaled-down version of one of his best bands and Hawkins playing like his characteristically authoritative self while becoming an integral member of the ensemble (in effect, he replaces tenor saxophonist Paul Gonsalves).

There are two considerations with the disc. Musically, it offers the compositional genius of Ellington and inspired solo work by his principals—altoist Johnny Hodges, cornetist Ray Nance, and trombonist Lawrence Brown. On the opening, inviting calypso rhythms of "Limbo Jazz," energized by the vocalizations of drummer Sam Woodyard, Hawkins seems all but forgotten until he slyly joins the party with a short but definitive closing solo. On "The Jeep Is Jumping" he's a more visible clean-up hitter, following the felicitous statements of the other tonal personalities with a masterful, extended sermon that leaves no doubt about who's the guest of honor. He double-times "You Dirty Dog" and sweetly converses with Ray Nance's fiddle on "The Ricitic."

"Mood Indigo" and "Self-Portrait" are all Hawkins, with the former, especially, capturing the delicate textures of Ellington's orchestral palette thanks to exceptional mixing by engineer Rudy Van Gelder. The Latin-tinged "Ray Charles Place" soon yields to an up-tempo shuffle rhythm on which the principals again shine, Hawkins' tenor ultimately chasing away any remaining clouds. The broad back-beat of "Wanderlust" suits Hodges, the underrated Nance, and baritone saxophonist Harry Carney to a tee, with Brown's trombone once again threatening to take solo honors before Hawkins' sensual entrance and building, climactic solo. ~Samuel Chell

Duke Ellington Meets Coleman Hawkins mc
Duke Ellington Meets Coleman Hawkins zippy

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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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Duke Ellington, Johnny Hodges - Back To Back

Styles: Piano And Saxophone Jazz
Year: 1959
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 47:43
Size: 109,6 MB
Art: Front

(6:30)  1. Wabash Blues
(8:05)  2. Basin Street Blues
(7:39)  3. Beale Street Blues
(6:58)  4. Weary Blues
(5:51)  5. The St. Louis Blues
(7:13)  6. Loveless Love
(5:23)  7. Royal Garden Blues

Here we have an oddity in the Duke Ellington collection, a small-band record that includes not a single Ellington composition and only one Ellington musician, co-leader and alto sax king Johnny Hodges. The repertoire consists of seven classic blues, including three from the pen of W.C. Handy, and the results of this informal 1959 session are nothing short of remarkable. The other major solo voice is Harry "Sweets" Edison, a Count Basie-band veteran who seems particularly inspired on this day. His embrace of the melody on "Basin Street Blues" shows great tenderness laced with simply perfect blues-based accents. Hodges offers a virtual lesson throughout in how to build solos from the ground up, nuzzling the nostalgic melodies at first before adding colorful embellishments. Meanwhile, Ellington's spare improvisations and clever comping offer bold chord choices and typically idiosyncratic timing without overwhelming the basic structure and feeling of the blues. No question, a record of old standards and easygoing statements can be just as powerful as any. ~ Marc Greilsamer https://www.amazon.com/Play-Blues-Back-VME-Remastered/dp/B0000047CU

Personnel: Duke Ellington (piano); Johnny Hodges (alto saxophone); Les Spann (guitar); Harry "Sweets" Edison (trumpet); Jo Jones (drums). 

Back To Back

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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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Johnny Hodges Septet - Blues-A-Plenty

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 42:11
Size: 96.6 MB
Styles: Saxophone jazz
Year: 1958/2014
Art: Front

[3:32] 1. I Didn't Know About You
[3:36] 2. Cool Your Motor
[3:18] 3. Gone With The Wind
[4:02] 4. Honey Hill
[3:23] 5. Blues-A-Plenty
[3:40] 6. Don't Take Your Love From Me
[5:59] 7. Saturday Afternoon
[5:01] 8. Satin Doll
[9:36] 9. Reeling And Rocking

This record, which I played tonight, is masterful. If you're putting on a Johnny Hodges record, you likely know what you're hoping to hear; that Johnny Hodges sound; the cry and the wail and the strut. And here, he is in full command, effortlessly swinging in a laid-back, whiskey-soaked haze, surrounded by giants like Ben Webster, Roy Eldridge, Billy Strayhorn and Jimmy Woode. It's precisely what you hoped for. A giant sound from a small combo - big blues for broken hearts.

No, they don't break new ground but that's not the point. In the notes on the back of the record, critic Benny Green writes: "...although jazz certainly evolves, its individuals do not, in the sense that once a musician has acquired the nuances of his own generation, they are his for the rest of his life, whether he wants them or not." I don't know that that's true; but for this album the expectations are met and exceeded in the execution and for that, it's more than comforting, it's exhilarating. ~Bink Figgins

Blues-A-Plenty

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Gerry Mulligan - Gerry Mulligan Meets Johnny Hodges

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 1960
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 33:25
Size: 76,8 MB
Art: Front

(5:47)  1. Bunny
(3:45)  2. What's The Rush
(7:28)  3. Back Beat
(4:02)  4. What's It All About
(5:16)  5. 18 Carrots For Rabbit
(7:04)  6. Shady Side

Gerry Mulligan's 1959 studio date with Johnny Hodges is one of the most satisfying sessions of his various meetings with different saxophonists for Verve, yet it was inexplicably the last to be made available on CD. With a hand-picked rhythm section consisting of pianist Claude Williamson, bassist Buddy Clark, and drummer Mel Lewis, and three originals contributed by each of the two leaders, everything gels nicely, though several tracks took more than three takes (in spite of liner note writer Nat Hentoff's assertions) to reach their final form. Mulligan contributed the gorgeous ballad "What's the Rush" (where he sat back to enjoy Hodges' solo and never plays his own horn), the easygoing swinger "Bunny," and the brisk cooker "18 Carrots (For Rabbit)," the latter which its composer would revisit with his Concert Jazz Band. The veteran alto saxophonist contributed the low-key ballad "Shady Side," the sassy blues "Back Beat" (later re-recorded by Hodges during a still unreleased 1960 studio meeting with Ben Webster), and "What It's All About," another potent blues. Throughout the date, the two saxophonists blend beautifully and complement one another's efforts, even though this was their only opportunity to record together in the studio. Sadly, no alternate takes or unissued numbers (at least two of which exist) have been added to this long anticipated reissue. ~ Ken Dryden http://www.allmusic.com/album/gerry-mulligan-meets-johnny-hodges-mw0000029368

Personnel: Gerry Mulligan (baritone saxophone); Johnny Hodges (alto saxophone); Claude Williamson (piano); Buddy Clark (bass); Mel Lewis (drums).

Gerry Mulligan Meets Johnny Hodges

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Various - A Night Out With Verve (4-Disc Box Set)

A Night Out With Verve highlights five decades of remarkable jazz taken from the Verve catalog, spread out over four discs titled "Wining," "Dining," "Dancing," and "Romancing." This budget-priced box set includes 65 performances from jazz luminaries including Oscar Peterson, Sonny Rollins, Michel Legrand, Sarah Vaughan, Stan Getz, Louis Armstrong, Count Basie, Billie Holiday, Miles Davis, Duke Ellington, and Shirley Horn. Whether it's a night out on the town or a simple romantic evening, A Night Out With Verve has a great deal to offer die-hard jazz fans and casual listeners alike. ~Al Campbell

Album: A Night Out With Verve (Disc 1)

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s

Time: 67:04

Size: 153.6 MB

Styles: Vocal jazz, Bop, Standards, Jazz/Blues/Soul

Year: 2000

[2:22] 1. Oscar Peterson Trio - Come Dance With Me

[3:22] 2. Dizzy Gillespie - There Is No Greater Love

[2:39] 3. Kenny Burrell - As Long As I Live

[3:37] 4. Coleman Hawkins - I Wished On The Moon

[3:25] 5. Junior Mance - A Smooth One

[3:00] 6. Johnny Hodges - On The Sunny Side Of The Street

[2:55] 7. Anita O'day - Whisper Not

[3:48] 8. Joe Pass - Li'l Darlin'

[4:25] 9. Monty Alexander - Love You Madly

[5:34] 10. George Benson - What's New

[6:17] 11. Tal Farlow - Broadway

[6:19] 12. Sonny Rollins - You Are Too Beautiful

[4:36] 13. Wynton Kelly - Portrait Of Jenny

[5:49] 14. Gerry Mulligan - Fall Out

[3:05] 15. Michel Legrand - La Vie En Rose

[5:45] 16. Roy Eldridge - I Still Love Him So

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Album: A Night Out With Verve (Disc 2)

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s

Time: 67:49

Size: 155.2 MB

Styles: Vocal jazz, Bop, Standards, Jazz/Blues/Soul

Year: 2000

[2:38] 1. Kenny Burrell - If I Had You

[5:21] 2. Joe Henderson - Once I Loved (Amor Em Paz)

[3:53] 3. Sarah Vaughan - Isn't It A Pity

[4:46] 4. Bill Evans - My Foolish Heart

[5:36] 5. Art Blakey - I Remember Clifford

[4:42] 6. Jim Hall - It's Nice To Be With You

[4:25] 7. The New Stan Getz Quartet - It Might As Well Be Spring

[3:40] 8. Benny Carter - Isn't It Romantic

[3:50] 9. Ella Fitzgerald - When A Woman Loves A Man

[6:25] 10. George Shearing - This Can't Be Love

[5:51] 11. Chet Baker - You Go To My Head

[5:03] 12. Tal Farlow - Autumn In New York

[4:40] 13. Stan Getz - But Beautiful

[2:21] 14. Astrud Gilberto - Agua De Beber

[4:29] 15. Sonny Rollins - Manhattan

A Night Out With Verve Disc1,Disc2                 

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Album: A Night Out With Verve (Disc 3)

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s

Time: 63:49

Size: 146.1 MB

Styles: Vocal jazz, Bop, Standards, Jazz/Blues/Soul

Year: 2000

[2:44] 1. Fred Astaire - (Ad Lib) Fast Dances

[3:57] 2. Ella Fitzgerald - Party Blues

[7:14] 3. James Clay - Sister Sadie

[2:14] 4. Jimmy Smith - Organ Grinder's Swing

[4:34] 5. Duke Ellington - Perdido

[2:23] 6. Harry James & His Orchestra - Back Beat Boogie

[4:06] 7. Marlena Shaw - At Last

[5:40] 8. Louis Armstrong - Little Girl Blue

[3:36] 9. Stan Getz - Só Danço Samba

[7:20] 10. Cassandra Wilson - Shall We Dance

[3:59] 11. Buddy Defranco - Rose Room

[4:12] 12. Benny Goodman - King Porter Stomp

[4:27] 13. Nicholas Payton - Taking A Chance On Love

[5:14] 14. Count Basie - Corner Pocket

[2:01] 15. Fred Astaire - (Ad Lib) Medium Dance

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Album: A Night Out With Verve (Disc 4)

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s

Time: 69:08

Size: 158.3 MB

Styles: Vocal jazz, Bop, Standards, Jazz/Blues/Soul

Year: 2000

Art: Front

[4:01] 1. Sarah Vaughan - I've Got A Crush On You

[4:04] 2. Billie Holiday - It Had To Be You

[5:32] 3. John Coltrane - You're A Weaver Of Dreams

[3:05] 4. Al Hibbler - This Love Of Mine

[3:06] 5. Don Byas - Misty

[3:01] 6. Dinah Washington - Invitation

[5:35] 7. Abbey Lincoln - The Nearness Of You

[3:51] 8. Stéphane Grappelli - Time After Time

[4:04] 9. Billy Eckstine - Imagination

[4:34] 10. Lester Young - That's All

[2:53] 11. Mel Tormé - I Should Care

[2:55] 12. Miles Davis - 'Round Midnight

[3:34] 13. Roland Kirk Quartet - Someone To Watch Over Me

[3:06] 14. Johnny Hartman - It's Easy To Remember

[2:15] 15. Ella Fitzgerald - Reaching For The Moon

[3:00] 16. Shirley Horn - You Don't Know Me

[4:41] 17. The Ben Webster Quintet - Where Are You

[2:13] 18. Louis Armstrong - There's No You

[3:30] 19. Clifford Brown - Memories Of You

A Night Out With Verve Disc3, Disc4                 

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Johnny Hodges - Everybody Knows Johnny Hodges

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 67:59
Size: 155.6 MB
Styles: Saxophone jazz
Year: 1965/1992
Art: Front

[7:24] 1. Everybody Knows
[3:04] 2. A Flower Is A Lovesome Thing
[6:51] 3. Papa Knows
[4:33] 4. 310 Blues
[2:43] 5. The Jeep Is Jumpin'
[3:26] 6. Main Stem
[4:44] 7. Medley I Let A Song Go Out Of My Heart Don't Get Around Much Anymore
[3:09] 8. Open Mike
[3:59] 9. Stompy Jones
[4:24] 10. Mood Indigo
[3:07] 11. Good Queen Bess
[5:09] 12. Little Brother
[5:43] 13. Jeep's Blues
[2:34] 14. Do Nothin' Till You Hear From Me
[3:20] 15. Ruint
[3:40] 16. Sassy Cue

The solo projects of Johnny Hodges were not so much individualistic divergences away from his duties with the Duke Ellington Orchestra, but served more as extensions of the vintage, classic style of jazz tailored to his personalized sound away from what he had to compete with sitting next to the raft of talent in Duke's big band. Working here in the mid-'60s with groups ranging from an octet to a 12-member (featuring nine extra tracks not included on the original 33 1/3 LP) or 15-piece group, Hodges showcases many of his original compositions. He primarily employs Ellington personnel, with the exception being the quite able Jimmy Jones at the piano on the majority of these selections. His son Johnny Hodges, Jr. plays drums on two tracks when Grady Tate or Gus Johnson sits out, while bass players chosen by the legendary alto saxophonist include the formidable Ernie Shepard and a young Richard Davis. These quite famous numbers are loaded with pungent solos by cream of the crop jazzmen such as trumpeter Cat Anderson, woodwind specialists Russell Procope and Jimmy Hamilton, the deeply soulful tenor saxophonist Paul Gonsalves, and nimble trombonist Lawrence Brown. If you are a devout fan, you'll easily recognize favorites like the harmony-strewn evergreen "Main Stem" with fluttering clarinet and a patented Anderson solo, the Billy Strayhorn ballad "A Flower Is a Lovesome Thing" where Hodges is fully featured, "Mood Indigo" where the group is stripped down to four horns in guarded repast, and the very slow "Jeep's Blue" as the piano of Jones takes center stage. Brown's introduction and theme for "Do Nothin' Till You Hear From Me" sweetly showcases the underappreciated trombonist. Hodges wrote or co-wrote several of these tracks, including the lesser-known spiky-accented and vibrato-laden "Papa Knows" as offshoots of its precedent, "Mama Knows," and the two-note bass-heavy title track, delivered quicker than the established 4/4 rhythm. "Good Queen Bess" is a basic Count Basie-type bluesy theme, and there's the distinctly Ellingtonian blues "Little Brother" and the always rousing "Stompy Jones," where Procope and the gang trade lines profusely. It would be difficult to pick a favorite or a clunker, and you'd be hard-pressed to find anything more inspired or another project loaded with this much talent. Everybody knows Johnny Hodges and this stellar collection of all-stars, because they are absolutely the best at what they do. ~Michael G. Nastos

Everybody Knows Johnny Hodges

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Rex Stewart - Story 1926-1945

Styles: Trumpet And Cornet Jazz
Year: 1996
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 60:45
Size: 143,1 MB
Art: Front

(3:16)  1. The stampede
(3:00)  2. Rocky road
(3:06)  3. Showboat shuffle
(3:08)  4. Kissin' my baby goodnight
(2:29)  5. Watermelon man
(3:05)  6. Boy meets horn
(3:31)  7. John Hardy's wife
(2:47)  8. Back room romp (A contrapunctual stomp)
(2:35)  9. Swing baby swing (Love in my heart)
(2:35) 10. Sugar hill shim-sham
(2:30) 11. Tea and trumpets
(2:39) 12. San Juan hill
(2:39) 13. Fat stuff serenade
(3:05) 14. Solid old man
(4:26) 15. Cherry
(3:22) 16. Poor bubber
(3:01) 17. Dreamer's blues
(3:16) 18. Shady shade of the street
(3:12) 19. 12th street rag
(2:53) 20. Save it pretty mama

Rex Stewart achieved his greatest glory in a subsidiary role, playing cornet 11 years in the Duke Ellington Orchestra. His famous "talking" style and half-valve effects were exploited brilliantly by countless Ellington pieces containing perfect passages tailored to showcase Stewart's sound. He played in a forceful, gripping manner that reflected the influences of Louis Armstrong, Bubber Miley, and Bix Beiderbecke, whose solos he once reproduced on record. Stewart played on Potomac riverboats before moving to Philadelphia. He went to New York in 1921. Stewart worked with Elmer Snowden in 1925, then joined Fletcher Henderson a year later. But he felt his talents were not at the necessary level, and departed Henderson's band, joining his brother Horace's band at Wilberforce College. Stewart returned in 1928. He remained five years and contributed many memorable solos. There was also a brief period in McKinney's Cotton Pickers in 1931, a stint heading his own band, and another short stay with Luis Russell before Stewart joined the Ellington Orchestra in 1934.

He was a star throughout his tenure, co-writing classics "Boy Meets Horn" and "Morning Glory." He also supervised many outside recording sessions using Ellingtonians. After leaving, Stewart led various combos and performed throughout Europe and Australia on an extensive Jazz at the Philharmonic tour from 1947-1951. He lectured at the Paris Conservatory in 1948. Stewart settled in New Jersey to run a farm in the early '50s. He was semi-retired, but found new success in the media. He worked in local radio and television, while leading a band part-time in Boston. Stewart led the Fletcher Henderson reunion band in 1957 and 1958, and recorded with them. He played at Eddie Condon's club in 1958 and 1959, then moved to the West Coast. Stewart again worked as a disc jockey and became a critic. While he published many excellent pieces, a collection containing many of his best reviews, Jazz Masters of the Thirties, came out posthumously. There's also a Stewart autobiography available. ~ Ron Wynn http://www.allmusic.com/artist/rex-stewart-mn0000888838/biography

Personnel: Rex Stewart (trumpet, cornet); Don Redman, Ivie Anderson (vocals); Django Reinhardt, Brick Fleagle, Fred Guy (guitar); Dave Wilborn, Charlie Dixon (banjo); Buster Bailey (clarinet, soprano saxophone, alto saxophone); Benny Carter (clarinet, alto saxophone); Coleman Hawkins, Prince Robinson (clarinet, tenor saxophone); Barney Bigard (clarinet); Johnny Hodges, Otto Hardwick (soprano saxophone, alto saxophone); Pete Clarke, Earl Bostic (alto saxophone); Cecil Scott (tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone); Ben Webster (tenor saxophone); Cootie Williams, Charlie Allen ,Smith, Langston Curl, Louis Bacon, Sidney Bechet, Arthur Whetsol, Wallace Jones (trumpet); Joe "Tricky Sam" Nanton, Juan Tizol, Lawrence Brown , Ed Cuffee, Charlie Green (trombone); Billy Taylor, Sr., Bob Escudero (tuba); Fletcher Henderson, Dave Riviera, Lionel Hampton, Todd Rhodes, Billy Kyle , Earl Hines (piano); Fred Avendorf, Cuba Austin, J.C. Heard, Joseph "Kaiser" Marshall, Sonny Greer, Baby Dodds (drums)

Story  1926-1945

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Duke Ellington - The Popular Duke Ellington

Styles: Piano Jazz
Year: 2002
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 51:37
Size: 122,4 MB
Art: Front

(4:40)  1. Take The 'A' Train
(2:36)  2. I Got It Bad (And That Ain't Good)
(3:14)  3. Perdido
(5:10)  4. Mood Indigo
(5:12)  5. Black And Tan Fantasy
(3:11)  6. The Twitch
(3:37)  7. Solitude
(1:55)  8. Do Nothin' Till You Hear From Me
(5:36)  9. The Mooche
(3:02) 10. Sophisticated Lady
(3:56) 11. Creole Love Call
(5:27) 12. Caravan
(1:59) 13. Wings And Things
(1:56) 14. Do Nothin' Till You Hear From Me

This CD reissue from 1997 features Duke Ellington and His Orchestra running through 11 of the leader's hits and a lesser-known blues tune, "The Twitch." The 1966 version of his big band still had all of its main stars, including such major voices as trumpeters Cootie Williams and Cat Anderson, trombonists Lawrence Brown and Buster Cooper, altoist Johnny Hodges, Paul Gonsalves on tenor, and clarinista Jimmy Hamilton. 

All are featured on The Popular Duke Ellington. Since the material is all very familiar, and mostly quite concise (nothing over six minutes long, and a version of "Do Nothin' Till You Hear From Me" that is under two minutes), few surprises occur. But Ellington fans will enjoy this well-played effort. ~ Scott Yanow http://www.allmusic.com/album/the-popular-duke-ellington-mw0000529326

Personnel: Duke Ellington (piano); Harry Carney, Russell Procope, Johnny Hodges, Jimmy Hamilton, Paul Gonsalves (reeds); Cootie Williams, William "Cat" Anderson, Mercer Ellington, Herbie Jones (trumpets); Lawrence Brown, Buster Cooper, Chuck Connors (trombone); John Lamb (bass); Sam Woodyard (drums).

The Popular Duke Ellington

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Mildred Bailey - The Rockin' Chair Lady (1931-1950)

Styles: Vocal
Year: 1994
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 62:11
Size: 144,8 MB
Art: Front

(3:19)  1. Willow Tree
(2:56)  2. Honeysuckle Rose
(3:02)  3. Squeeze Me
(3:22)  4. Down-Hearted Blues
(3:09)  5. Blues In My Heart
(3:08)  6. You Call It Madness (But I Call It Love)
(3:02)  7. When It's Sleepy Time Down South
(3:08)  8. Wrap Your Troubles In Dreams
(2:42)  9. When That Man Is Dead And Gone
(3:17) 10. Jenny
(3:22) 11. Georgia On My Mind
(2:37) 12. Rockin' Chair
(3:11) 13. Sometimes I'm Happy
(3:14) 14. Ev'rything Depends On You
(3:02) 15. Lover, Come Back To Me
(3:28) 16. All Too Soon
(3:17) 17. It's So Peaceful In The Country
(2:36) 18. More Than You Know
(3:03) 19. Cry, Cry, Cry
(3:06) 20. Blue Prelude

One of at least six Mildred Bailey compilation albums with the phrase "Rockin' Chair Lady" in the title, this 20-track overview issued by GRP in 1994 spans virtually her entire recording career from her Paul Whiteman days (1931) to one of her very last sessions (1950). Possessed of a lovely and at times delicate voice, Mildred Bailey specialized in Tin Pan Alley pop tunes, mostly songs of love and heartbreak. Married for a while to xylophonist and bandleader Red Norvo, she achieved fame during the 1930s but gradually receded from the limelight after 1940. This collection of vintage recordings, which were originally released on Decca phonograph records, includes sublime interpretations of songs by Fats Waller, Benny Carter, Lovie Austin, Hoagy Carmichael, and Duke Ellington. ~ arwulf arwulf http://www.allmusic.com/album/the-rockin-chair-lady-1931-1950-mw0000121548

Personnel: Mildred Bailey (vocals); Dave Barbour, Gene Gifford, Al Hendrickson, Carmen Mastren (guitar); Mel Jenssen (violin); Jimmy Lytell (clarinet); Clarence Hutchenrider, Glen Gray, John Rotella, Kenny Sargent, Ted Nash, Wilbur Schwartz (reeds); Johnny Hodges (alto saxophone); Bo Ashford, John Best , Bobby Lee Jones, Jack Jenney, Joe Hostetter, Billy Butterfield, Bunny Berigan (trumpet); Billy Rauch, Eddie Kusby, Murray McEachern, Pee Wee Hunt, Si Zentner (trombone); Joe Hall , Herman Chittison, Teddy Wilson, Billy Kyle (piano); O'Neill Spencer, Jimmie Hoskins, Tony Briglia, Irving Cottler (drums).

The Rockin' Chair Lady (1931-1950)

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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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