From Analog Tape

Johnny Hodges feat. Ben Webster

Johnny Hodges

20,9926,99
(1 customer review)

Please note that the booklet for this release contains a printing error regarding the instrumentation credits. Ben Webster and Paul Gonsalves are credited with playing the “trumpet” where this should be “tenor saxophone”.

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The superb November 1960 session recorded by the Ben Webster-Johnny Hodges sextet in studio conditions at the Jazz Cellar, in San Francisco (without an audience). It is presented here in its complete form for the first time ever.

These recordings are exceptional in that no other date exists in their collaborative discography featuring them as the only horns. The two great saxophonists were the only horn players heard at the session. They were backed by a rhythm section of piano, guitar, bass and drums.

A complete (and very rare) octet session featuring Webster and Hodges from August 27, 1964, has been added as a bonus to this new DSD 256 Stereo release.

Ben Webster and Johnny Hodges had already known each other for over 25 years by the time they recorded the present date together at The Jazz Cellar in San Francisco. The two sax giants recorded their first sides together as members of the illustrious Duke Ellington orchestra on August 19, 1935.

The Jazz Cellar, San Francisco, November 22 1960:

Ben Webster, tenor saxophone

Johnny Hodges, alto saxophone

Lou Levy, piano

Herb Ellis, guitar

Wilfred Middlebrooks, bass

Gus Johnson, drums

 

Rare Octet Session, August 27, 1964

Ray Nance, trumpet

Lawrence Brown, trombone

Emil Richards, vibraphone

Russ Freeman, piano

Joe Mondragon, bass

Mel Lewis, drums
This album offers two jazz masters – masters of the saxophone – for the price of one. Ellingtonians both, John Cornelius Hodges and Benjamin Francis Webster were superbly lyrical and magnificently authoritative saxophonists whose extemporised compositions had a serenity and authority that are only to be found among the true elite of jazz musicians. Possessor of the most beautiful tone ever heard in jazz, altoist Johnny Hodges formed his style early on and had little reason to change it through the decades. Hodges’ luscious playing on ballads has never been topped.
Hodges (1907 – 1970) was best known for his solo work with Duke Ellington’s Orchestra where he played lead alto in the saxophone section for many years and his playing became one of the identifying voices of the Ellington orchestra. He is considered one of the defin- itive alto saxophone players of the big band era (alongside Benny Carter). His unchanging style always managed to sound fresh.

 

Tracklist

Please note that the below previews are loaded as 44.1 kHz / 16 bit.
1.
Cambridge Blue
03:42
2.
Brute's Roots
04:36
3.
Bouncing with Ben
02:50
4.
One for the Duke
05:15
5.
Walkin' the Frog
05:49
6.
Rabbit Pie
04:51
7.
Jeep's Blues
02:36
8.
Dooji Wooji
04:07
9.
The Jeep Is Jumpin'
06:04

Total time: 00:39:50

Additional information

Label

SKU

2XHDST1097

Qualities

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Channels

Artists

Composers

,

Genres

,

Digital Converters

Merging Technologies Horus

Editing Software

Pyramix

Mastering Engineer

Rene Laflamme – Transfer from Analog Master Tape to DSD 256

Instruments

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Original Recording Format

Recording location

The Jazz Cellar, San Francisco on November 22-23, 1960 and August 27, 1964

Recording Type & Bit Rate

Analog Tape to DSD 256

Release DateJanuary 19, 2018

1 review for Johnny Hodges feat. Ben Webster

    The main title “Featuring Ben Webster” is a bit misleading because Ben Webster is only present on the first 6 tracks.
    For the last tracks, Johnny Hodges is facing his ellingtonian fellow companion Paul Gonsalves.

    Second reason is the booklet from 2xHD. Ben Webster and Paul Gonsalves are credited with playing the trumpet. You will have to fix that because they are “tenor saxophone” players.

    So, that said, 2xHD and Storyville provides us fine tunes and delicious jazz classics. I love most of the tracks, “One for the Duke” is a great achievement and the Octet session Hodges/Gonsalves adds spice to the whole.

    Most importantly, the sound is gorgeous and fine, very fine. Not excellent, but very solid. Who cares about excellency because it’s really the best available for these jazz recordings.

    All in all, you deserve the best rating.

      The product will be updated to correct the errors. Thank you for reporting it.

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