Jazz
Johnny Hodges - Sax (Alto)
Billy Strayhorn - Piano
Duke Ellington - Piano
Al Sears - Sax (Tenor)
Britt Woodman - Trombone
Cat Anderson - Trumpet
Harold Baker - Trumpet
Harry Carney - Sax (Baritone)
Jimmy Hamilton - Clarinet, Sax (Tenor)
Juan Tizol - Trombone
Lawrence Brown - Trombone
Louie Bellson - Drums
Oscar Pettiford - Bass
Paul Gonsalves - Sax (Tenor)
Quentin Jackson - Trombone
Sonny Greer - Drums
Taft Jordan - Trumpet
Wendell Marshall - Bass
Wilbur DeParis - Trombone
Willie Smith - Sax (Alto)
* Danny Kopelson - Engineer
* Ed Michel - Reissue Producer
* Jim Marshall - Photography
* Kirk Felton - Audio Restoration, Digital Remastering, Remastering
* Leonard Feather - Liner Notes
This single CD, which reissues all of the music from a double-LP, has a variety of formerly rare sessions from 1947-51. Although the great altoist Johnny Hodges gets top billing, and he leads three sessions from 1947 (featuring such top Ellington stars as trombonist Lawrence Brown, tenorman Al Sears, baritonist Harry Carney and either Taft Jordan or Harold Baker on trumpet), he is actually absent on the second half of the release. With Billy Strayhorn and/or Duke Ellington as leader and Willie Smith on alto, these enthusiastic swing performances range in personnel from a three-trombone septet to a version of "Caravan" with Ellington on piano and Strayhorn making a rare appearance on organ. Although the music falls just short of classic, Ellington collectors will love these rarities.
---Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
Johnny Hodges
Active Decades: '20s, '30s, '40s, '50s and '60s
Born: Jul 25, 1907 in Cambridge, MA
Died: May 11, 1970 in New York, NY
Genre: Jazz
Styles: R&B, Ballads, Swing, Mainstream Jazz
Possessor of the most beautiful tone ever heard in jazz, altoist Johnny Hodges formed his style early on and had little reason to change it through the decades. Although he could stomp with the best swing players and was masterful on the blues, Hodges' luscious playing on ballads has never been topped. He played drums and piano early on before switching to soprano sax when he was 14. Hodges was taught and inspired by Sidney Bechet, although he soon used alto as his main ax; he would regretfully drop soprano altogether after 1940. His early experiences included playing with Lloyd Scott, Chick Webb, Luckey Roberts, and Willie "The Lion" Smith (1924), and he also had the opportunity to work with Bechet. However, Johnny Hodges' real career began in 1928 when he joined Duke Ellington's orchestra. He quickly became one of the most important solo stars in the band and a real pacesetter on alto; Benny Carter was his only close competition in the 1930s. Hodges was featured on a countless number of performances with Ellington and also had many chances to lead recording dates with Ellington's sidemen. Whether it was "Things Ain't What They Used to Be," "Come Sunday," or "Passion Flower," Hodges was an indispensable member of Ellington's orchestra in the 1930s and '40s. It was therefore a shock, in 1951, when he decided to leave Duke Ellington and lead a band of his own. Hodges had a quick hit in "Castle Rock" (which ironically showcased Al Sears' tenor and had no real contribution by the altoist), but his combo ended up struggling and breaking up in 1955. Hodges' return to Duke Ellington was a joyous occasion and he never really left again. In the 1960s, Hodges teamed up with organist Wild Bill Davis on some sessions, leading to Davis joining Ellington for a time in 1969. Johnny Hodges, whose unchanging style always managed to sound fresh, was still with Duke Ellington when he suddenly died in 1970.
---Scott Yanow, All Music Guide |
