Search - Johnny Hodges and the Ellington Men :: 1956-1957 (Ellingtonia 56 + Duke's in Bed + The Big Sound)

The music here defies fad and fashion. Johnny Hodges and his alto sax speak with trademark elegance and eloquence part and parcel of having been with the Duke Ellington Orchestra in its most celebrated days. The sides included come from three of Hodges' classic albums: "Ellingtonia '56," "Duke's in Bed" and "The Big Sound," and the formations range from large combo units to the full-fledged Ellington band (without Duke). Rich, rocking, blue-boned relaxation is the mood, and this set of Hodges-guided numbers is full of his inimitable swing and ever-present touches of warmth and humor. CD1 JOHNNY HODGES OCTET: Ray Nance (tp), Lawrence Brown (tb), Johnny Hodges (as), Jimmy Hamilton (cl, ts), Harry Carney (bars), Billy Strayhorn (p), Jimmy Woode (b), Sam Woodyard (d) JOHNNY HODGES NONET: Clark Terry (tp) added; Quentin Jackson (tb), replaces Brown RECORDED New York City, 1956 CD2 JOHNNY HODGES AND HIS ORCHESTRA: Willie Cook, Clark Terry, Cat Anderson, Harold "Shorty" Baker, Ray Nance (tp), Quentin Jackson, John Sanders, Britt Woodman (tb), Johnny Hodges (as), Russell Procope (cl, as), Jimmy Hamilton (cl, ts), Paul Gonsalves (ts), Harry Carney (bars), Billy Strayhorn (p), Jimmy Woode (b), Sam Woodyard (d) RECORDED New York City, 1956-1957