Johnny Hodges

Featuring: Ray Nance (tp), Lawrence Brown (tb), Johnny Hodges (as), Jimmy Hamilton (cl, ts), Harry Carney (bs), Billy Strayhorn (p), Jimmy Woode (b), Sam Woodyard (d)

Includes a 16-page booklet with recording details, extensive notes and rare photos.

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 humour.

Tracklisting:

CD 1
01. Hi’ Ya (3:09)
02. Snibor (7:15)
03. Texas Blues (11:46)
04. I’m Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter (3:28)
05. A-Oodie-Oobie (3:31)
06. Meet Mr. Rabbit (7:14)
07. Duke’s in Bed (2:53)
08. Just Squeeze Me (3:06)
09. Ballad for Very Tired and Very Sad Lotus Eaters (3:21)
10. Confab with Rab (3:16)
11. It Had to Be You (3:06)
12. Black and Tan Fantasy (6:18)
13. Take the “A” Train (8:03)

CD 2
01. The Happy One (2:51)
02. Night Walk (3:13)
03. You Got It Coming (6:01)
04. Duke’s Jam (6:24)
05. Little Rabbit Blues (9:22)
06. Johnny Comes Lately (2:26)
07. Gone and Crazy (3:12)
08. Fast Segdoh (3:26)
09. Don’t Call Me, I’ll Call You (3:27)
10. An Ordinary Thing (3:19)
11. Waiting for Duke (3:57)
12. Dust Bowl (4:24)
13. Early Morning Rock (3:33)
14. Viscount (2:27)
15. Digits (4:17)
16. Bouquet of Roses (3:21)

Total time: 131 min.

CD 1, tracks #1-4 & CD 2, #1-4 from the album: "Ellingtonia '56" (Verve MGV-8155)

CD 1, tracks #5-13 from the album:
"Duke's in Bed" (Verve MGV-8203)

CD 2, tracks #5-16 from the album:
"The Big Sound" (Verve MGV-8271)

Personnel on CD 1:

Johnny Hodges Octet (#1-4)
Ray Nance (tp), Lawrence Brown (tb), Johnny Hodges (as), Jimmy Hamilton (cl, ts), Harry Carney (bs), Billy Strayhorn (p), Jimmy Woode (b) and Sam Woodyard (d). Recorded in New York City, on January 11, 1956.

Johnny Hodges Nonet (#5-13)
Ray Nance (tp, vln, vcl), Clark Terry (tp), Quentin Jackson (tb), Johnny Hodges (as), Jimmy Hamilton (cl, ts), Harry Carney (bs), Billy Strayhorn (p), Jimmy Woode (b) and Sam Woodyard (d). Recorded in New York City, on September 1, 1956.

Personnel on CD 2:

Johnny Hodges and His Orchestra (#1-4) Willie Cook, Clark Terry, Cat Anderson, Harold 'Shorty' Baker (tp), Quentin Jackson, John Sanders, Britt Woodman (tb), Johnny Hodges (as), Russell Procope (cl, as), Jimmy Hamilton (cl, ts), Paul Gonsalves (ts), Harry Carney (bs), Billy Strayhorn (p), Jimmy Woode (b) and Sam Woodyard (d). Recorded in New York City, on January 12, 1956.

Johnny Hodges and His Orchestra (#5-8)
Ray Nance, Clark Terry (tp), Quentin Jackson, John Sanders, Britt Woodman (tb), Johnny Hodges (as), Russell Procope (cl, as), Jimmy Hamilton (cl, ts), Harry Carney (bs), Billy Strayhorn (p), Jimmy Woode (b) and Sam Woodyard (d). Recorded in New York City, on June 26, 1957.

Johnny Hodges and His Orchestra (#9-12)
Willie Cook, Clark Terry, Cat Anderson, Harold 'Shorty' Baker (tp), Quentin Jackson, John Sanders, Britt Woodman (tb), Johnny Hodges (as), Russell Procope (cl, as), Jimmy Hamilton (cl, ts), Paul Gonsalves (ts), Harry Carney (bs), Billy Strayhorn (p), Jimmy Woode (b) and Sam Woodyard (d). Recorded in New York City, on September 3, 1957.

Johnny Hodges and His Orchestra (#13-16)
Ray Nance (tp, vln), Clark Terry, Harold 'Shorty' Baker (tp), Quentin Jackson, John Sanders, Britt Woodman (tb), Johnny Hodges (as), Russell Procope (cl, as), Jimmy Hamilton (cl, ts), Paul Gonsalves (ts), Harry Carney (bs), Billy Strayhorn (p), Jimmy Woode (b) and Sam Woodyard (d). Recorded in New York City, on September 3, 1957.


Original recordings produced by Norman Granz.