Johnny Hodges: Blues-A-Plenty (LP)

For almost 50 years, Johnny Hodges was perhaps the most important soloist and accompanying musician in Duke Ellington's orchestra. At the same time, the alto saxophonist also repeatedly made successful solo excursions, such as on the Verve album "Blues A-Plenty" in 1958. With an all-star septet that included four other prominent Ellington musicians, Hodges presents five of his own compositions as well as two numbers penned by his boss. Verve Acoustic Sounds series: completely analog mastered from the original tapes by Ryan K. Smith at Sterling Sound, QPR pressing (180 g), sturdy tip-on gatefold (Stoughton Printing), padded inner sleeve. Johnny Hodges - alto saxophone / Roy Eldridge - trumpet / Vic Dickenson - trombone / Ben Webster - tenor saxophone / Billy Strayhorn - piano / Jimmy Woode - bass / Sam Woodyard - drums