Johnny Hodges

rtist:  Johnny Hodges
Birth Name:  Comelius "Johnny" Hodges
Born:  July 25, 1907.  Cambridge Massachusetts, USA
Died:  May 11, 1970 (Aged 62).  New York City, USA
Genre:  Jazz, Swing, Mainstream Jazz, Jazz Instrument, Saxophone Jazz, R&B, Early R&B
Occupation:  Musician
Instruments:  Alto Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone, Clarinet

Johnny Hodges was an American Alto Saxophonist, best known for solo work with Duke Ellington's Big Band, he also played Soprano Saxophone after 1946.  He considered one of the definitive Alto Saxophone Players of the Big Band Era, (along with Benny Carter).  He also plated with Lloyd Scott, Sidney Bechet, Luckey Roberts and Chick Webb.  When Ellington wanted to expand his band in 1928, Ellington's Clarinet Player Barney Bigard recommended Hodges.  His playing became one of the idenifying voices of the Ellington Orchestra, from 1951 to 1955.   He left Duke to lead his own band, but returned shortly to performance at the 1956 Newport Jazz Festival.

Title:   Blues-A-Plenty (2021)

Genre:  Jazz, Swing, Mainstream Jazz, Jazz Instrument, Saxophone Jazz, R&B, Early R&B

Label:   20th Century Masterworks

Rating:   *****

Format:   LP

Tracks:

Side A:

 1.  I Didn't Know About You (3:32)

 2.  Cool Your Motor (3:38)

 3.  Gone With The Wind ((3:20)

 4.  Honey Hill (4:05)

 5.  Blues-A-Plenty (3:24)

 6.  Don't Take Your Love From Me (3:43)

 7.  Central Park Swing (3:25)

Side B:

 1.  Saturday Afternoon Blues (6:02)

 2.  Satin Doll (5:03)

 3.  Reelin' and Rockin' (9:38)

 4.  M.H.R. (5:59)

Personnel:

Johnny Hodges:  Alto Saxophone

Ben Webster:  Tenor Saxophone

Roy Eldridge:  Trumpet

Vic Dickenson:  Trombone

Billy Strayhorn: Piano

Jimmy Woode:  Bass

Sam Woodyard:  Drums

Blues-A-Plenty is an album by Johnny Hodges, originally released in 1958 by Verve Records, remastered and reissued on November 24, 2021 by 20th Century Masterworks, with 2 Bonus Tracks.  180 Gram Colored Virgin Vinyl.