Johnny Hodges Billy Strayhorn And The Orchestra 45RPM (2 LP)

45rpm 180g Double LP!
Mastered by George Marino at Sterling Sound!
Plated & pressed at QRP!
Recorded during the last decade of his long tenure with the Duke Ellington Orchestra, this album finds the great alto saxophonist Johnny Hodges' musical gifts not only intact but stronger than ever. Featuring the Ellington band - with Jimmy Jones on piano and Billy Strayhorn as bandleader and arranger - it is a fascinating program of Ellington remakes, including tome of the orchestra's most familiar numbers, all of which have been given subtle new orchestrations by Strayhorn and melodious new interpretations by Hodges.
Alto saxophonist Johnny Hodges often recorded albums for the Verve label in the 1950s and 60s. Most of the musicians on "Johnny Hodges With Billy Strayhorn" played in Duke Ellington's orchestra and the arrangements were by Billy Strayhorn. But Hodges' playing can only be described as great, his musical talent is more evident than ever before. Lawrence Brown, Harry Carney and Howard McGhee also deliver excellent performances. The programme includes some of the Ellington Orchestra's best-known numbers. Particularly touching are the exotic-looking "Azure" and the emotional "Your Love Has Faded".

Features:

• 180g Vinyl
• 45rpm
• Double LP
• Mastered by George Marino at Sterling Sound
• Pressed at Quality Record Pressings

Musicians:

• Johnny Hodges, alto saxophone
• Billy Strayhorn, arranger, conductor, performer
• Cat Anderson, trumpet
• Shorty Baker, trumpet
• Aaron Bell, bass
• Bill Berry, trumpet
• Lawrence Brown, trombone
• Harry Carney, bass clarinet, baritone saxophone, bass saxophone
• Chuck Conors, bass trombone
• Paul Gonsalves, tenor saxophone
• Jimmy Hamilton, clarinet, tenor saxophone
• Quentin Jackson, trombone
• Jimmy Jones, piano
• Howard McGhee, trumpet
• Ed Mullens, trumpet
• Russell Procope, clarinet, alto saxophone
• Sam Woodyard, drums

Selections:

Side A
1. Don't Get Around Much Any More
2. I've Got It Bad and That Ain't Good
3. Gal From Joe's
Side B
1. Your Love Has Faded
2. I'm Just a Lucky So and So
Side C
1. Jeep's Blues
2. Day Dream
3. Juice A-Plenty
Side D
1. Azure
2. Tailor Made
3. Stardust

Recorded December 1961 at Van Gelder Recording Studio, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey.