The most awesome, the most swinging rhythm group of all times! Fantastic winds! There's only one guy who can make an alto saxophone sound like this - somewhere between melancholy and aggressiveness! Superlative after superlative come to mind when you listen to these nine numbers, which were recorded at the end of the Fifties. The idea of scaling down Ellington's band for jam-session-like numbers is absolutely genial because it offers soloists great opportunities to display their artistry - and these wind musicians are the best of the best, masters of their instruments.
Johnny Hodges on alto-sax is backed by the great Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn on piano. Ben Webster, Roy Eldridge, Harry "Sweets" Edison and Jo Jones join in as well, amidst many other fine musicians. Some tunes featured include the swinging "Going Up" and "You Need To Rock".
Features:
• 180g Vinyl
• High Quality Pressing
• Pure Analogue Audiophile Mastering
Musicians:
Duke Ellington, piano
Johnny Hodges, alto saxophone
Ben Webster, tenor saxophone
Roy Eldridge, trumpet
Harry "Sweets" Edison, trumpet
Lawrence Brown, trombone
Les Spann, guitar, flute
Billy Strayhorn, piano
Al Hall, bass
Wendell Marshall, bass
Jo Jones, drums
Selections:
1. Stompy Jones
2. Squeeze Me
3. Big Shoe
4. Going Up
5. Just a Memory
6. Let's Fall in Love
7. Ruint
8. Bend One
9. You Need to Rock
Recorded in August 1958 and February 1959.
| By Labels | Speakers Corner (Verve) |
|---|---|
| By Genre | Jazz |