JOHNNY HODGES - The Complete Verve Johnny Hodges Small Group Sessions - 1956-1961 (2000) 6xCD BOX-SET | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Johnny Hodges was Duke Ellington's most important soloist, so when the alto saxophonist returned to his former employer in the fall of 1955 after leading his own band for just over four and a half years, he had Ellington's approval to record under his own name for Verve on a steady basis. This limited-edition box set collects all of Hodges' small-group sessions recorded for Verve between 1956 and 1961 (excepting some selections whose masters were lost), often with a number of sidemen on loan from Ellington. The leader's chops are best exhibited in the ballads and blues features, though his originals merit attention, too. Hodges hardly hogs the spotlight; he obviously takes his share of solos but generously features his guests and associates from the Ellington band. A nonet with Clark Terry, Ray Nance, Quentin Jackson, Jimmy Hamilton, Harry Carney, Billy Strayhorn, Jimmy Woode, and Sam Woodyard is easily the best all-around session within this compilation, with many fine tracks. The humorous "Just Squeeze Me," with Nance's hip vocals complemented by Terry's talkative horn in the background, as well as a surprising extended workout of "Take the 'A' Train," with Terry taking over the famous solo spotlight that Nance first recorded in 1941 (heard on flügelhorn) and followed by Nance on his swinging violin, are among its highlights. Some of the other veterans appearing in this collection include Roy Eldridge, Vic Dickenson, Ben Webster, and Herb Ellis. The atmosphere of each session is friendly and swinging, with the feeling that each take came together quickly, whether or not that was actually the case. While Johnny Hodges' recordings as a leader from this period never rivaled Duke Ellington's in either sales or critical acclaim, they proved to be consistently enjoyable and able to stand the test of time. The set includes 30 previously unissued tracks. The detailed liner notes and discography, along with the numerous photos, also help to make The Complete Verve Johnny Hodges Small Group Sessions 1956-1961 an essential purchase for swing fans, though it is a limited edition of just 7,500, so it is guaranteed to soar in value. It is available exclusively from www.mosaicrecords.com.
Ken Dryden  
All Tracks & Credits

JOHNNY HODGES AND HIS ORCHESTRA - Not So Dukish (1958) lp | FLAC (tracks), lossless

SIDE A
1    M.H.R. 5'56
Written-By – Billy Strayhorn, Johnny Hodges
2    Broadway Babe 2'40
Written-By – Johnny Hodges, Mercer Ellington
3    Three And Six 2'18
Written-By – Billy Strayhorn
4    Not So Dukish 7'48
Written-By – Jimmy Woode
SIDE B
1    Central Park Swing 3'22
Written-By – Jimmy Hamilton
2    Preacher Blues    8:20
Written-By – Johnny Hodges
3    Jeep Bounced Back    3:30
Written-By – Johnny Hodges
4    The Last Time I Saw Paris 2'45
Written-By – Jerome Kern, Oscar Hammerstein II
Credits :
Alto Saxophone – Johnny Hodges
Bass – Jimmy Woode
Clarinet – Jimmy Hamilton
Drums – Sam Woodyard
Liner Notes – Leonard Feather
Piano – Billy Strayhorn
Tenor Saxophone – Ben Webster
Trombone – Lawrence Brown
Trumpet – Ray Nance, Roy Eldridge

JOHNNY HODGES AND THE ELLINGTON MEN - The Big Sound (1957-2010) FLAC (tracks), lossless

Tracklist :
1    Don't Call Me, I'll Call You 3:31
Composed By – Anderson
2    An Ordinary Thing 3:32
Composed By – Anderson
3    Waiting For Duke 3:54
Composed By – Anderson
4    Dust Bowl 4:26
Composed By – Hodges
5    Little Rabbit Blues 9:23
Composed By – Hodges
6    Viscount 2:30
Composed By – Hodges, M. Ellington
7    Johnny Come Lately 2:26
Composed By – Strayhorn
8    Bouquet Of Roses 3:24
Composed By – Hodges, M. Ellington
9    Gone And Crazy 3:13
Composed By – Hodges
10    Digits 4:19
Composed By – Terry
11    Segdoh 3:27
Composed By – Hodges
12    Early Morning Rock 3:36
Composed By – Hodges
- BONUS TRACKS -        
13    Hi ´Ya    3:11
14    Snibor    7:17
15    I´m Gonna Sit Right Down And Write Myself A Letter    3:30
16    Texas Blues    11:47
Tracks 1-4 :
Bass – Jimmy Woode
Drums – Sam Woodyard
Piano – Billy Strayhorn
Reeds – Harry Carney, Jimmy Hamilton, Johnny Hodges, Paul Gonsalves, Russell Procope
Trombone – Britt Woodman, John Sanders, Quentin Jackson
Trumpet – Cat Anderson, Clark Terry,  Harold Baker, Ray Nance, Willie Cook
Tracks 6, 8, 10 & 12 : Same session as above. Omit Cook, Anderson, Woodman & Sanders
Tracks 5, 7, 9 & 11 : Clark Terry (tp), Ray Nance (tp, vln), Quentin Jackson, Britt Woodman, John Sanders (tb), Russel Procope (cl, as), Jimmy Hamilton (ts, cl), Harry Carney (bar), Billy Strayhorn (p), Jimmy Woode (b), Sam Woodyard (d), New York, June 26, 1957.
* Bonus Tracks 13-16 : Ray Nance (tp), Lawrence Brown (tb), Jimmy Hamilton (cl, as), Harry Carney (bar), Billy Stayhorn (p), Jimmy Woode (b), Sam Woodyard (d), New York, January 11, 1956.

JOHNNY HODGES SEPTET ft. BEN WEBSTER - Blues-A-Plenty (1958-2021) FLAC (tracks), lossless

Tracklist :
1     I Didn't Know About You 3'35
Duke Ellington   
2     Cool Your Motor 3'39
Johnny Hodges   
3     Gone With the Wind 3'21
Magidson / Wrubel   
4     Honey Hill 4'05
Johnny Hodges   
5     Blues-a-Plenty 3'26
Johnny Hodges   
6     Don't Take Your Love From Me 3'43
M. Witmar   
7     Saturday Afternoon Blues 6'02
Johnny Hodges   
8     Satin Doll 5'04
Duke Ellington   
9     Reeling and Rocking 9'35
Johnny Hodges
- BONUS TRACKS -
10    M.H.R.
11    Broadway Babe
12    Three And Six
13    Not So Dukish
14    Central Park Swing
15    Preacher Blues
16    Jeep Bounced Back
Credits :
Alto Saxophone – Johnny Hodges
Bass – Jimmy Woode
Drums – Sam Woodyard
Piano – Billy Strayhorn
Tenor Saxophone – Ben Webster
Trombone – Vic Dickenson
Trumpet – Roy Eldridge

JOHNNY HODGES - At Sportpalast, Berlin (1961-1993) RM | 2xCD | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

This double-CD, a straight reissue of a Pablo double-LP, documents a fun set. Altoist Johnny Hodges and some fellow members of Duke Ellington's Orchestra (Ray Nance on cornet, violin and vocals, trombonist Lawrence Brown, baritonist Harry Carney, bassist Aaron Bell, drummer Sam Woodyard and guest pianist Al Williams) jam through a mostly typical set of standards and Ellington tunes. Everyone gets featured and, even if there are no real surprises, the musicians are consistently heard in top form. Superior small-group swing by some of the best. Scott Yanow
Tracklist 1 :
1     Take the "A" Train 2'56
Billy Strayhorn
2     In the Kitchen 7'46
Johnny Hodges     
3     Mood Indigo 5'02
Barney Bigard / Duke Ellington / Irving Mills
4     Solitude 2'49
Eddie DeLange / Duke Ellington / Irving Mills
5     Satin Doll 3'00
Duke Ellington / Johnny Mercer / Billy Strayhorn
6     I Got It Bad (And That Ain't Good) 4'47
Duke Ellington / Paul Francis Webster
7     Rockin' in Rhythm 4'15
Harry Carney / Duke Ellington / Irving Mills
8     Autumn Leaves 12'22
Joseph Kosma / Johnny Mercer / Jacques Prévert
9     Stompy Jones 11'47
Duke Ellington
Tracklist 2 :        
1     C Jam Blues 4'48
Barney Bigard / Duke Ellington
2     The Jeep Is Jumpin' 2'13
Duke Ellington / Johnny Hodges
3     Good Queen Bess 4'06
Johnny Hodges
4     Things Ain't What They Used to Be 6'15
Mercer Ellington / Ted Persons
5     I'll Get By (As Long as I Have You) 2'40
Fred E. Ahlert / Roy Turk
6    I Let a Song Go Out of My Heart 1'20
Duke Ellington / Irving Mills / Henry Nemo / John Redmond
-    Don't Get Around Much Anymore 2'43
Duke Ellington / Bob Russell
7      Just Squeeze Me (But Don't Tease Me) 2'32
Duke Ellington / Lee Gaines
8     Do Nothin' Till You Hear from Me 2'46
Duke Ellington / Bob Russell
9     Rose of the Rio Grande 2'33
Ross Gorman / Edgar Leslie / Harry Warren
10     All of Me 2'29
Gerald Marks / Seymour Simons
11     On the Sunny Side of the Street 4'09
Dorothy Fields / Jimmy McHugh
12    Blue Moon 2'05
Lorenz Hart / Richard Rodgers
13    Perdido 9'31
Ervin Drake / Hans Lengsfelder / Juan Tizol
Credits :
Alto Saxophone – Johnny Hodges
Baritone Saxophone – Harry Carney
Bass – Aaron Bell
Cornet, Violin, Vocals – Ray Nance
Drums – Sam Woodyard
Piano – Al Williams
Producer – Norman Granz
Remastered By – Phil De Lancie
Trombone – Lawrence Brown
Notas.
Recorded at the Sportpalast, Berlin; March 1961
Track 1-7 misspelled on release

JOHNNY HODGES - Storyville Masters of Jazz (2006) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

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
Tracklist :
1     Don't Get Around Much Anymore 3:50     
Duke Ellington    
2     Passion Flower 4:13
Billy Strayhorn    
3     Perdido 2:56     
Juan Tizol    
4     All of Me 1:55
Gerald Marks    
5     C Jam Blues 2:30
Duke Ellington    
6     I Got It Bad and That Ain't Good 2:23    
Duke Ellington
7     In a Mellotone 7:10
Duke Ellington    
8     Cambridge Blues 3:42
Johnny Hodges    
9     Brute's Roots 4:37
Johnny Hodges    
10     Bouncing with Ben 2:51
Johnny Hodges    
11     One for the Duke 5:16
Johnny Hodges    
12     Walkin' the Frog 5:49
Johnny Hodges    
13     Rabbit Pie 4:52
Johnny Hodges    
14     On the Sunny Side of the Street 4:17
Jimmy McHugh    
15     Good Queen Bess 3:36
Johnny Hodges    
16     The Jeep Is Jumpin' 2:53
Duke Ellington / Johnny Hodges    
17     Things Ain't What They Used to Be 5:22
Mercer / Ellington
18     Jeep's Blues 02:34
Duke Ellington / Johnny Hodges    
19     Dooji Wooji 4:05
Duke Ellington

BILLY STRAYHORN & JOHNNY HODGES - The Stanley Dance Sessions (2005) FLAC (tracks), lossless

Tracklist :
1    Cue's Blue Now 10:03
Written By – Strayhorn, Hodges
2    Gone With The Wind 4:19
Written By – Wrubel, Magidson
3    Cherry 5:54
Written By – Redman, Gilbert
4    Watch Your Cue 3:11
Written By – Strayhorn, Hodges
5    You Brought A New Kind Of Love To Me 7:23
Written By – Kahal, Norman, Fain
6    When I Dream Of You 3:33
Written By – Carpenter, Hines
7    Rose Room 6:08
Written By – Hickman, Williams
8    Don't Get Around Much Anymore 3:00
Written By – Ellington, Hodges
9    I Got It Bad (And That Ain't Good) 3:39
Written By – Ellington, Webster
10    Gal From Joe's 2:30
Written By – Ellington
11    Your Love Has Faded 3:02
Written By – Strayhorn, Ellington
12    I'm Just A Lucky So-And-So 3:23
Written By – Ellington, David
13    Jeep's Blues 3:22
Written By – Ellington, Hodges
14    Day Dream 4:00
Written By – Strayhorn, Ellington
15    Juice A-Plenty 3:22
Written By – Hodges
16    Azure 2:35
Written By – Ellington
17    Tailor Made 3:38
Written By – Mullens, Hodges
18    Star Dust 4:30
Written By – Carmichael
Credits 1-7
Trumpet – Harold "Shorty" Baker
Alto Saxophone – Johnny Hodges
Trombone – Quentin Jackson
Bass –  Al Hall
Clarinet – Russell Procope
Drums – Oliver Jackson
Piano – Billy Strayhorn
Credits 8-18
Alto Saxophone – Johnny Hodges
Arranged By, Conductor – Billy Strayhorn
Baritone Saxophone, Bass Clarinet – Harry Carney
Bass – Aaron Bell
Bass Trombone – Chuck Connors
Clarinet, Alto Saxophone – Russell Procope
Clarinet, Tenor Saxophone – Jimmy Hamilton
Drums – Sam Woodyard
Piano – Jimmy Jones
Tenor Saxophone – Paul Gonsalves
Trombone – Lawrence Brown,
Trumpet – Bill Berry, Cat Anderson, Ed Mullens, Harold "Shorty" Baker, Howard McGhee
Notas.
Reissue of two albums originally released as Cue For Saxophone and Johnny Hodges With Billy Strayhorn And The Orchestra.
Tracks 1 to 7 recorded in New York, April 14, 1959.
Tracks 8 to 18 recorded in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, December 11 & 12, 1961.

JOHNNY HODGES - Master of Jazz (1989) APE (image+.cue), lossless

Here is a CD that is highly recommended for swing collectors. Altoist Johnny Hodges and tenor-saxophonist Ben Webster team up for a sextet set from 1960, a club appearance that was released for the first time on this set. Their six performances (all are basic Hodges originals) find the pair of veteran swing stylists in prime form. The remainder of the program (three standards plus Hodges' "Good Queen Bess") is played by a septet dominated by Ellington musicians including the leader/altoist, baritonist Harry Carney, trumpeter Ray Nance and trombonist Lawrence Brown. Excellent music that still has not dated. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1     Cambridge Blue 3:42
Johnny Hodges    
2     Brute's Roots 4:36
Johnny Hodges    
3     Bouncing with Bud 2:50
Johnny Hodges    
4     One for the Duke 5:16
Johnny Hodges    
5     Walkin' the Frog 5:49
Johnny Hodges    
6     Rabbit Pie 4:51
Johnny Hodges    
7     On the Sunny Side of the Street 4:18
Dorothy Fields / Jimmy McHugh
8     Good Queen Bess 3:38
Johnny Hodges    
9     The Jeep Is Jumpin' 2:53
Duke Ellington / Johnny Hodges / Billy Strayhorn
10     Things Ain't What They Used to Be 5:22
Mercer Ellington / Ted Persons
Personnel : 1-6
Bass – Wilfred Middlebrooks
Drums – Gus Johnson
Guitar – Herb Ellis
Piano – Lou Lewy
Saxophone [Alt] – Johnny Hodges
Saxophone [Tenor] – Ben Webster
Personnel : 7-10
Bass – Aaron Bell  
Drums – Sam Woodyard
Piano – Al Williams
Saxophone [Alt] – Johnny Hodges
Saxophone [Bass] – Harry Carney
Trombone – Lawrence Brown
Trumpet, Vocals – Ray Nance
Notas.
Tracks 1 to 6 have incorrect titles on this release. When they were first issued, titles were assigned, but by the time they reappeared in The Complete Johnny Hodges Verve Small Group Sessions 1955-61, the correct titles had been researched and confirmed.

Tracks 1 to 6 Recorded November 22nd & 23rd, 1960, at The Jazz Cellar, San Francisco
Tracks 7 to 10 Recorded March 14th, 1961, Stockholm

DUKE ELLINGTON | COLEMAN HAWKINS - Duke Ellington Meets Coleman Hawkins (1962-2010) RM | SACD | Hybrid | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

This set documents a historic occasion. Although Coleman Hawkins had been an admirer of Duke Ellington's music for at least 35 years at this point and Ellington had suggested they record together at least 20 years prior to their actual meeting in 1962, this was their first (and only) meeting on record. Although it would have been preferable to hear the great tenor performing with the full orchestra, his meeting with Ellington and an all-star group taken out of the big band does feature such greats as Ray Nance on cornet and violin, trombonist Lawrence Brown, altoist Johnny Hodges, and baritonist Harry Carney. High points include an exuberant "The Jeep Is Jumpin'," an interesting remake of "Mood Indigo," and a few new Ellington pieces. This delightful music is recommended in one form or another. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1     Limbo Jazz 5:12
Duke Ellington
2    Mood Indigo 5:56     
Duke Ellington / Irving Mills
3     Ray Charles' Place 4:05
Duke Ellington     
4     Wanderlust 4:58
Duke Ellington / Johnny Hodges
5     You Dirty Dog 4:18
Duke Ellington
6     Self-Portrait (of the Bean) 3:50
Duke Ellington / Billy Strayhorn
7     The Jeep Is Jumpin' 4:49
Duke Ellington / Johnny Hodges
8     The Ricitic 5:54     
Duke Ellington
Credits :
Alto Saxophone – Johnny Hodges
Baritone Saxophone, Bass Clarinet – Harry Carney
Bass – Aaron Bell
Cornet, Violin – Ray Nance
Drums – Sam Woodyard
Engineer – Rudy Van Gelder
Piano – Duke Ellington
Producer – Bob Thiele
Tenor Saxophone – Coleman Hawkins
Trombone – Lawrence Brown

CLARK TERRY - Out On A Limb (1957) lp | FLAC (tracks), lossless

Side A
1     Caravan 2'04
2     Candy 2'23
3     Clarke's Expedition 2'30
4     Trumpet Mouthpiece Blues 4'06
Side B
1     Phlanges 3'03
2     Blues for Daddy O's Jazz Patio Blues 4'34     
3     Basin Street 2'45
4     Daylite Express 2'17
5    Taking a Chance on Love 2'20
Credits :
Bass – Jimmy Woode
Drums – Sam Woodyard
Guitar – Remo Biondi
Piano – Willie Jones
Tenor Saxophone, Flute – Mike Simpson
Trumpet – Clark Terry

CLARK TERRY ft. PAUL GONSALVES - Daylight Express (1957-1998) FLAC (tracks), lossless

Two obscure but very enjoyable and complementary former Lps are reissued in full on this generous CD. The first half of the disc is primarily a showcase for trumpeter Clark Terry who is joined by Mike Simpson (on tenor and flute) in a sextet. C.T. sounds a bit more influenced by Dizzy Gillespie at this time than he would but he was already quite distinctive on such numbers as "Candy," "Blues For Daddy O's Jazz Patio Blues" and "Basin Street Blues." "Phalanges" is a hot bop line (by Louie Bellson) that deserves to be revived while "Trumpet Mouthpiece Blues" sounds like an ancestor of "Mumbles." The second half of the album matches Terry with tenor-saxophonist Paul Gonsalves (who is actually the leader) and a rhythm section that features some surprisingly advanced piano from Willie Jones that sometimes hints strongly at both Cecil Taylor and Sun Ra! Terry and Gonsalves (who were both with Duke Ellington at the time) always made for a good team. The tenor revisits the 1956 Newport Jazz Festival with his long solo on "Festival" and other tunes (all originals by one of the horn players) are basic and swinging; a previously unissued ballad, "The Girl I Call Baby" closes the rewarding and memorable set. Highly recommended. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1     Caravan 2'01
Duke Ellington / Irving Mills / Juan Tizol
2     Candy 2'21
Mack David / Alex Kramer / Joan Whitney
3     Clark's Expedition 2'29
Mike Simpson / Clark Terry
4     Trumpet Mouthpiece Blues 4'45
Clark Terry
5     Phalanges 3'02
Louie Bellson
6     Blues for Daddy-O's Jazz Patio Blues 4'32
Clark Terry
7     Basin Street Blues 2'44
Spencer Williams
8     Daylight Express 2'16
Clark Terry
9     Taking a Chance on Love 2'18
Vernon Duke / Ted Fetter / John Latouche
10     Festival 6'53
Paul Gonsalves
11     Clark's Bars 3'36
Clark Terry
12     Daddy-O's Patrio 2'15
Clark Terry
13     Blues 4'59
Paul Gonsalves
14     Impeccable 4'19
Marion Michaels / Clark Terry
15     Paul's Idea 2'47
Paul Gonsalves
16     Phat Bach 3'17
Sykes Smith / Clark Terry
17     Milli Terry 2'32
Clark Terry
18     Funky 4'02
Clark Terry
19     The Girl I Call Baby 3'02
Clark Terry     
Credits :
Bass – Jimmy Woode
Drums – Sam Woodyard
Flute, Saxophone – Mike Simpson (pistas: 1 to 9)
Guitar – Remo Biondi (pistas: 1 to 9)
Piano – Willie Jones
Reissue Producer – Orrin Keepnews
Tenor Saxophone – Paul Gonsalves (pistas: 10 to 19)
Trumpet – Clark Terry

CLARK TERRY - Duke With A Difference (1957-1990) RM | FLAC (tracks), lossless

Trumpeter Clark Terry and some of the top Ellington sidemen of the period (trombonist Britt Woodman, altoist Johnny Hodges, tenor saxophonist Paul Gonsalves, Tyree Glenn on vibes, bassist Jimmy Woode, and drummer Sam Woodyard) perform eight songs associated with Duke, but with fresh arrangements. There is plenty of solo space for Terry, Gonsalves, and Hodges, and the arrangements by Terry and Mercer Ellington cast a new light on some of the warhorses; highlights include "C Jam Blues," "Cotton Tail," "Mood Indigo," and "Come Sunday." Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1    C-Jam Blues    3:03
Barney Bigard / Duke Ellington
2    In A Sentimental Mood    2:55
Duke Ellington / Manny Kurtz / Irving Mills
3    Cottontail    6:54
Duke Ellington
4    Just Squeeze Me    6:15
Duke Ellington / Lee Gaines / Fats Waller / Clarence Williams
5    Mood Indigo    6:55
Barney Bigard / Duke Ellington / Irving Mills
6    Take The A Train    3:27
Billy Strayhorn
7    In A Mellotone    5:08
Duke Ellington / Milt Gabler            
8    Come Sunday    3:32
Duke Ellington
Credits :
Alto Saxophone – Johnny Hodges
Arranged By – Clark Terry (tracks: 1, 3 to 7), Mercer Ellington (tracks: 2, 8)
Bass – Jimmy Woode
Celesta – Luther Henderson (tracks: 2)
Drums – Sam Woodyard
Piano – Billy Strayhorn (tracks: 2, 8), Tyree Glenn (tracks: 1, 3 to 7)
Tenor Saxophone – Paul Gonsalves
Trombone – Britt Woodman (tracks: 1, 3 to 7), Quentin Jackson (tracks: 2, 8)
Trumpet – Clark Terry
Vocals – Marian Bruce (tracks: 2)

CLARK TERRY - Clark Terry and His Orchestra featuring Paul Gonsalves (2001) FLAC (tracks), lossless

Critics often complain that small-group sessions comprised of members of the Duke Ellington Orchestra are somewhat disappointing; this is definitely not the case with this session led by Clark Terry, recorded during a 1959 tour of Europe in the final month of the trumpeter's almost eight-year tenure with the band. Fellow Ellington sidemen Paul Gonsalves, Jimmy Woode, and Sam Woodyard are present, along with Raymond Fol at the piano. Terry was one of the most gifted trumpeters to grace the Ellington band and he blossoms when he has more opportunities to solo in a small group setting like this one. Gonsalves proves to be the perfect foil for Terry as they trade lines on several of the numbers. Unlike many dates led by Ellington veterans, this one doesn't rely heavily on songs from the vast Ellington songbook; instead, Terry includes only "Satin Doll," while choosing one standard ("Mean to Me"), a pair of Monk tunes, and five of his own compositions, with "Serenade to a Bus Seat" (a remake of his upbeat instrumental interpretation of the hectic life of a touring musician) proving to be the most memorable. This studio date was recorded for French Decca and has been almost impossible to find prior to the appearance of this Storyville CD, so it should be of great interest to fans of Clark Terry, with the added bonus of a previously unissued alternate take of "Pannonica." Ken Dryden
Tracklist :
1     Serenade to a Bus Seat 4'02
Clark Terry
2     Pannonica 5'39
Thelonious Monk
3     Pea-Eye 5'04
Clark Terry
4     Satin Doll 4'55
Duke Ellington / Johnny Mercer / Billy Strayhorn
5     Daniel's Blues 4'50
Clark Terry
6     Mean to Me 5'16
Fred E. Ahlert / Roy Turk
7     Blues for the Champ of Champs 11'04
Clark Terry
8     Circeo 4'14
Raymond Fol
9     Clark Bars 6'56
Clark Terry
10     Pannonica, No. 2 6'22
Thelonious Monk
11     Lonely One 3'21
Babs Gonzales
Credits :
Bass – Jimmy Woods
Drums – Sam Woodyard
Piano – Raymond Fol
Tenor Saxophone – Paul Gonsalves
Trumpet, Arranged By – Clark Terry

ALICE BABS & DUKE ELLINGTON - Serenade to Sweden (1966-2016) RM / FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Legendary jazz pianist and bandleader Duke Ellington paired with virtuoso Swedish vocalist Alice Babs for this superb, and somewhat rare, 1963 session Serenade to Sweden. A star on the European jazz scene since the '30s, Babs was blessed with a pristine, highly resonant set of vocal chops that combined the insouciant romanticism of cool-school singers like June Christy with the opera-ready gymnastics of Ella Fitzgerald. Ellington had long been a fan and so when their paths crossed on tour in 1963, he set up a recording session in Paris. Joining them was a well-curated rhythm section of European musicians including bassist Gilbert Rovere and drummer Christian Garros. While technically a small group date, these tracks do evince a symphonic big-band sound with Ellington's unique addition of a four-member French horn section. The result is a set of lush-sounding productions with Ellington framing Babs' angelic vocals in his singularly urbane, swinging fashion. Adding to the symphonic air are Babs' distinctive, wordless vocals, a style in which she splits the difference between opera prima donna and scat singer. It's an approach she takes on many of these cuts including a sparkling, midtempo reading of Ellington's classic "Satin Doll" in which she interprets the melody with improvisational flair. It's a style closer to a horn instrumentalist than your average jazz singer and brings to mind the work Ellington achieved with longtime collaborators like saxophonist Johnny Hodges and Ben Webster. Elsewhere, she takes a more traditional approach, displaying her crisp enunciation and deft phrasing on tracks like "The Boy in My Dreams," "I Didn't Know About You," and "I'm Beginning to See the Light." Babs also contributes several of her own highly engaging originals with the supple and moody ballad "Strange Visitor" and the buoyant swinger "Babsie." by Matt Collar  
Tracklist :
1     Serenade to Sweden 3:20
Duke Ellington
2     The Boy in My Dreams 2:38
Duke Ellington
3     Stoona 3:01
Duke Ellington
4     La De Doody Doo 2:18
Duke Ellington / Edward Lambert / Stephen Richards
5     Strange Visitor 2:11
Alice Babs
6     Azure 2:53
Duke Ellington
7     Come Sunday 5:02
Duke Ellington
8     "C" Jam Blues 2:43
Duke Ellington
9     I Didn't Know About You 4:19
Duke Ellington / Bob Russell
10     Satin Doll 2:46
Duke Ellington / Johnny Mercer / Billy Strayhorn
11     Take Love Easy 3:28
Duke Ellington
12     Babsie 1:51
Alice Babs
13     (I Want) Something to Live For 2:55
Duke Ellington / Billy Strayhorn
14     I'm Beginning to See the Light 4:43
Duke Ellington / Don George / Johnny Hodges / Harry James
15     Untitled Lullaby 2:26
Duke Ellington
Credits :
Bass – Kenny Clarke
Drums – Sam Woodyard
Piano – Billy Strayhorn (faixas:12), Duke Ellington
Vocals – Alice Babs

ROSEMARY CLOONEY & DUKE ELLINGTON AND HIS ORCHESTRA - Blue Rose (1956-2008) RM / FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Rosemary Clooney may have seemed to be a surprising choice to be featured with Duke Ellington & His Orchestra, but this collaboration is extremely successful in spite of the fact that Clooney was unable to join the band in the studio due to complications of a very difficult pregnancy. The solution was for the band to record the music (after Billy Strayhorn made the first of several trips to Los Angeles to consult with her). The results are stunning and not in the least bit canned, due to the professionalism of all parties involved and a stellar engineering of the separately recorded tracks. Clooney swings throughout "Me and You" and "It Don't Mean a Thing" without excess, her wordless vocal on "Blue Rose," and a captivating "Mood Indigo" are among the many highlights. The sound on this Legacy series reissue is greatly improved over the earlier Mobile Fidelity CD, plus there are two tracks added, the obscure but appealing "If You Were in My Place (What Would You Do?)" and "Just a-Sittin' and a-Rockin'," that were only issued as a single and omitted from the original release. It's a pity that the collaboration of Rosemary Clooney and Duke Ellington was only a one-shot deal, as she easily ranks as one of the greatest vocalists to appear on record with the maestro. by Ken Dryden 
Tracklist:
1    Hey Baby 3:53
Soloist, Baritone Saxophone – Harry Carney
Written-By – D. Ellington
2    Sophisticated Lady 2:57
Written-By – D. Ellington, I. Mills, M. Parish
3    Me And You 2:28
Soloist, Trumpet – Ray Nance
Written-By – D. Ellington
4    Passion Flower 4:33
Soloist, Reeds – Johnny Hodges
Written-By – B. Strayhorn
5    I Let A Song Go Out Of My Heart 2:37
Written-By – D. Ellington, H. Nemo, I. Mills, J. Redmond
6    It Don't Mean A Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing) 2:48
Soloist, Reeds – Harry Carney, Johnny Hodges
Soloist, Tenor Saxophone – Jimmy Hamilton
Soloist, Trumpet – Clark Terry
Written-By – D. Ellington, I. Mills
7    Grievin' 4:10
Soloist, Reeds – Harry Carney, Johnny Hodges, Paul Gonsalves
Soloist, Trumpet – "Cat" Anderson
Written-By – B. Strayhorn, D. Ellington
8    Blue Rose 2:21
Written-By – D. Ellington
9    I'm Checkin' Out, Goombye 3:09
Soloist, Clarinet – Jimmy Hamilton
Soloist, Trumpet – Ray Nance
Written-By – B. Strayhorn, D. Ellington
10    I Got It Bad (And That Ain't Good) 3:07
Written-By – D. Ellington, P.F. Webster
11    Mood Indigo 6:28
Bass Clarinet – Harry Carney
Soloist, Trumpet – Willie Cook
Written-By – A. Bigard, D. Ellington, I. Mills
- Bonus Tracks -
12    If You Were In My Place (What Would You Do?) 3:01
Soloist, Piano – Billy Strayhorn
Soloist, Trumpet – Clark Terry
Written-By – D. Ellington, H. Nemo, I. Mills
13    Just A-Sittin' And A-Rockin' 2:40
Soloist, Trumpet – Clark Terry
Written-By – B. Strayhorn, D. Ellington, L. Gaines
Credits:
Arranged By – Billy Strayhorn
Arranged By, Piano – Duke Ellington
Double Bass [Bass] – Jimmy Woode
Drums – Sam Woodyard
Recording Supervisor [Rosemary Clooney Vocals] – Billy Strayhorn
Reeds – Harry Carney, Jimmy Hamilton, Johnny Hodges, Paul Gonsalves, Russell Procope
Trombone – Britt Woodman, John Sanders, Quentin Jackson
Trumpet – "Cat" Anderson, Clark Terry, Ray Nance, Willie Cook
Vocals – Rosemary Clooney

DUKE ELLINGTON AND HIS ORCHESTRA ft. MAHALIA JACKSON - Black, Brown and Beige (1958-1999) RM / FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Duke Ellington originally wrote the 50-minute Black, Brown and Beige in 1943 for a Carnegie Hall concert, where critics dismissed it as overreaching for a jazz composer. Over the next 15 years, he periodically resurrected it for performances of excerpts or, as in the case of his 1958 Columbia album, transmuting it into what was essentially a new work. Columbia's Black, Brown and Beige was one of the most extraordinary products of Ellington's second stay with the label, growing out of his 1956 Newport triumph, and it was received somewhat more readily than the original 1943 "Black, Brown and Beige." The main problem for those who knew the piece and its history lay in the absence of Johnny Hodges, who was hardly ever with the Ellington band during 1958, and on whose talents "Come Sunday," the centerpiece of the original work and even more the core of the revamped Black, Brown and Beige, was built. Instead, Mahalia Jackson sings a version of "Come Sunday" that is, if anything, equally affecting, backed by the orchestra led by Ray Nance's violin. The result on the original album was a piece that started off in big band-style blues and led to one of Ellington's most moving, wrenching pieces of work, and music that, had it been better known, might also have done more to raise people's consciousness about Civil Rights than 100 folk songs of the period. by Bruce Eder  
Tracklist :
Black, Brown, & Beige    35:42
1    Part I    8:17
2    Part II    6:14
3    Part III (aka Light)    6:26
4    Part IV (aka Come Sunday)    7:58
5    Part V (aka Come Sunday)    3:46
6    Part VI (23rd Psalm)    3:01
-  Bonus Tracks -  
7    Track 360 (aka Trains) [Alternate Take]    2:02
8    Blues In Orbit (aka Tender) [Alternate Take]    2:36
Black, Brown, & Beige [Alternate Take]    26:48
9    Part I [Alternate Take]    6:49
10    Part II [Alternate Take]    6:38
11    Part III (aka Light) [Alternate Take]    3:08
12    Part IV (aka Come Sunday) [Alternate Take]    2:23
13    Part V (aka Come Sunday) [Alternate Take]    5:51
14    Part VI (23rd Psalm) [Alternate Take]    1:59
15    Studio Conversation (Mahalia Swears)    0:07
16    Come Sunday (A Cappella)    5:47
17    (Pause Track)    0:06
Credits :
Bass – Jimmy Woode
Drums – Sam Woodyard
Piano – Duke Ellington
Saxophone [Alto] – Bill Graham
Saxophone [Baritone] – Harry Carney
Saxophone [Tenor] – Paul Gonsalves
Soloist [Violin] – Ray Nance
Trombone – Britt Woodman, Quentin Jackson
Trumpet – William "Cat" Anderson, Clark Terry, Harold Shorty Baker
Trumpet, Violin – Ray Nance
Valve Trombone – John Sanders
Vocals – Mahalia Jackson
Written-By – Duke Ellington

LIONEL HAMPTON - Ring Dem Vibes (1976-2000) Jazz In Paris 46 / RM / FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Lionel Hampton's two-day session for Blue Star in 1976 was a very productive date; he only brought along two regulars, guitarist Billy Mackel and pianist/organist Reynold Mullins, but was joined by an assortment of outstanding European players, including pianist Raymond Fol, alto saxophonist Michel Attenoux (who had worked with Hampton before), trombonist Claude Gousset, tenor saxophonist Gerard Badini, bassist Michel Gaudry, and former Ellington drummer Sam Woodyard, who was living and working in Paris. Hampton was only 68 years old at the time of the recording and still had the reputation for wearing out men a third of his age on the bandstand; his enthusiasm is infectious from the opening number, "Ring Dem Bells," as he introduces each soloist in turn in a lively jam. Dany Doriz, the man who had instigated this session, joins Hampton on vibes for a spirited if brief run through "Seven Come Eleven." The leader also revisits old favorites such as his "Vibraphone Blues" (which includes some humorous commentary in addition to his vocal) and standards like "Blue Lou" and "On the Sunny Side of the Street" with the same vigor as when he first recorded them decades earlier. One surprise inclusion is Horace Silver's "Psychedelic Sally," which turns into an extended workout with one hot chorus inspiring yet another. The players mesh very well and each of the soloists is in top form when called upon. Although Lionel Hampton recorded frequently in the second half of the 1970s, this pickup session is among the best of the two dozen or so releases made during this period of his career. by Ken Dryden  
Tracklist :
1     Ring Dem Bells  7:48
Duke Ellington / Irving Mills
2     Seven Come Eleven 2:17
Charlie Christian / Benny Goodman
3     On the Sunny Side of the Street 4:31
Dorothy Fields / Jimmy McHugh
4     Blue Lou 7:09
Irving Mills / Edgar Sampson
5     Psychedelic Sally 10:33
Horace Silver
6     Vibraphone Blues 4:40
Lionel Hampton
7     Hamp's Thing 6:25
Lionel Hampton
Credits :
Alto Saxophone – Michel Attenoux
Double Bass – Michel Gaudry
Drums – Sam Woodyard
Guitar – William Mackel
Organ – Reynold Mullins (faixas: 6)
Piano – Raymond Fol, Reynold Mullins (faixas: 3, 4)
Tenor Saxophone – Gérard Badini (faixas: 1, 5, 7)
Trombone – Claude Gousset (faixas: 1, 5, 7)
Vibraphone – Dany Doriz (faixas: 2)
Vibraphone, Vocals – Lionel Hampton
Nota :
Recorded on May 25 (1, 2, 5, 7) and 26 (3, 4, 6) 1976, at the Hoche studio, Paris
Reissue of the Blue Star LP 80 706