Duke Ellington and Johnny Hodges - Side By Side (1959/2014) [Official Digital Download 24bit/192kHz]

A follow-up album to "Back to Back: Duke Ellington and Johnny Hodges Play the Blues". Ellington takes the back seat to saxophonist Hodges in this jam session album, only playing in three of the nine tracks. The album features Hodges, a prominent member of Ellington's legendary band, backed by Ellington and Billy Strayhorn on piano among other notable musicians. The ablum includes works, "Let's Fall in Love", "Just Squeeze Me (But Don't Tease Me)", and "Going Up".

Topping off a wealth of full-band recordings, the various stars of Ellington's great outfit recorded many combo sides under their own names. And while not on the same sophisticated level of classic Ellingtonia, the late-'30s material cut by Johnny Hodges, Cootie Williams, and Rex Stewart is packed with tasty solo work and some of the finest examples of early small-group swing. These later examples from 1958-1959 feature Hodges backed by both Ellington and Billy Strayhorn on piano and such non-Duke luminaries as Ben Webster, Roy Eldridge, Harry "Sweets" Edison, and Jo Jones. Like its companion album, Back to Back, Side by Side has a loose, jam session feel, with all the soloists stretching out. Hodges is in top form throughout, while Edison and Webster man their spots just fine. Highlights include the sveltely swinging "Going Up" and Hodges' bluesy closer, "You Need to Rock." A must for fans of vintage combo swing.

Tracklist:

01 - Stompy Jones
02 - Squeeze Me
03 - Big Shoe
04 - Going Up
05 - Just A Memory
06 - Let's Fall In Love
07 - Ruint
08 - Bend One
09 - You Need To Rock

Recorded on August 14th, 1958 at Nola Studios in New York and on February 20th, 1959 at Columbia Studios in New York.

Musicians:
Duke Ellington - Piano
Johnny Hodges - Alto Saxophone
Ben Webster - Tenor Saxophone
Harry Edison - Trumpet
Roy Eldridge - Trumpet
Lawrence Brown - Trombone
Les Spann - Flute, Guitar
Al Hall - Bass
Wendell Marshall - Bass
Billy Strayhorn - Piano
Jo Jones - Drums


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