Tag Archives: Johnny Hodges

Portrait of Mercer Ellington, Part I (Podcast #24-002)

Mercer Ellington, son of Duke Ellington, is an underrated contributor to the world of Ellingtonia. Continue reading

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Portrait of Jimmy Jones (Podcast #24-001)

“Jimmy Jones is a close member of our musical family. Outside of our original version, he and Toby Hardwick were the first to do “Come Sunday.” I have had many different associations with him, the most notable being when we … Continue reading

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Portrait of Harold “Shorty” Baker (Podcast #23-011)

Duke Ellington said of trumpeter Harold “Shorty” Baker that “his way of playing a melody was absolutely personal, and he had no bad notes at all.” Continue reading

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Parisian Birthday Celebration (Podcast #23-004)

Celebrating the 124th anniversary of the birth of Duke Ellington and the 6th birthday for Ellington Reflections with a Parisian themed episode in honor of the 2023 Ellington Conference being held in the City of Lights. Continue reading

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The New York Choral Society performs Duke Ellington’s Sacred Concerts (Podcast #22-011)

The New York Choral Society, New York’s pioneering symphonic chorus that explores unique collaboration and dynamic repertory, in partnership with The New School College of Performing Arts, presents Duke Ellington’s Sacred Concerts, November 18 and 19 at the Tishman Auditorium at The New School. Continue reading

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Portrait of Louie Bellson (Podcast #22-010)

Drummer/Composer/Arranger Louie Bellson (1924-2009) was a musician’s musician. Although he was only with the Ellington for a short period, he created a huge impact in the Ellington legacy. Continue reading

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Creole Rhapsody (Podcast #22-005)

“So I went out and wrote Creole Rhapsody, and I did so much music for it that we had to cut t up and do two versions. One came out on Brunswick and the other, longer one, on Victor. Irving … Continue reading

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Beyond the Usual Suspects, Part I (Podcast #22-003)

Another look at less commonly covered Ellington compositions. Continue reading

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Portrait of Charlie Barnet, Part II (Podcast #22-002)

“Meanwhile, I was looking around for musicians who were sympathetic to my musical ideas and would fit my plans. I now wanted to incorporate Duke Ellington’s harmonic approach and tone colors with Count Basie’s rhythmic drive.” Charlie Barnet, Those Swinging … Continue reading

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My Favorite (Ellington) Things, according to the iPod (Podcast #21-002)

Here’s a selection of what my iPod says are my most listened-to Ellington songs. Continue reading

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Portrait of Juan Tizol (Podcast #20-005)

Valve trombonist Juan Tizol (1900-84) was an important member of the Ellington band. Besides instrumental duties, he was a composer, arranger and copyist.

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Portrait of Rex Stewart, Part I (Podcast #20-001)

Rex Stewart played cornet in the Ellington and from 1934-45. Part I of a look at Stewart’s work with the band. Continue reading

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Beyond the “Usual Suspects” [Again] (Podcast #19-019)

More covers of Ellington compositions that deserve wider exposure. Continue reading

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“Rabbit’s Blues” – A Conversation with Johnny Hodges biographer Con Chapman (Podcast #19-018)

Con Chapman discusses his new biography of Johnny Hodges. Continue reading

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Ellingtonian Geography (Podcast #19-016)

Geographically titled songs by Ellington and his associates. Continue reading

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The Treasury Shows, Pt. V (Podcast #19-015)

This is the last part of our look at the 25 double CD set of Storyville’s Treasury Show series…. Continue reading

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Portrait of Lawrence Brown, Pt. II (Podcast #19-014)

Lawrence Brown (1907-88) was a major voice in the Ellington orchestra. He played with Duke for 29 years, longer than any other trombonist in the orchestra. Continue reading

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Portrait of Lawrence Brown, Pt. I (Podcast #19-013)

Lawrence Brown (1907-88) was a major voice in the Ellington orchestra. He played with Duke for 29 years, longer than any other trombonist in the orchestra. Continue reading

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The Treasury Shows, Pt. IV (Podcast #19-012)

A few selections from Volumes 16 thru 20 of Duke’s Treasury Shows…. Continue reading

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Old Wine and New Bottles (Podcast #19-011)

Ellington never liked to set his compositions in stone. Here’s a few examples of how he would re-visit older works…
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Portrait of Otto Hardwicke (Podcast #19-010)

Reedman Otto “Toby” Hardwicke was one of the earliest Ellingtonians. Continue reading

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Portrait of Bubber Miley (Podcast #19-008)

“Bubber Miley was from the body and soul of Soulville. He was raised on soul and saturated and marinated in soul. Every note he played was soul filled with the pulse of compulsion….. Bubber was born in South Carolina, but … Continue reading

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Portrait of Fred Guy (Podcast #19-007)

Fred Guy played banjo and guitar in the Ellington Orchestra from 1925 to 1949. Continue reading

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The Treasury Shows, Pt. III (Podcast #19-006)

Continuing our exploration of Duke’s radio broadcasts on behalf of the US Treasury Department.
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The Treasury Shows, Pt. II (Podcast #19-004)

A look at some of the music on Volumes 6 through 10 of Storyville Records’ release of the Duke Ellington Treasury Series radio shows.
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And Now For Something Completely Different…. (Podcast #19-003)

Ellington playing the electric piano, Billy Strayhorn on harpsichord and the 1932 band in stereo are just some of the different items you’ll hear from the Ellington oeuvre.
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Portrait of Johnny Hodges, Pt. III (Podcast #19-002)

A sample of the many Ellington/Strayhorn compositions that featured the sublime alto sax of Johnny Hodges from his return to the orchestra in 1955 until his death in 1970.
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Portrait of Johnny Hodges, Pt. II (Podcast #19-001)

A look at some of the outside projects done by Johnny Hodges during his second tenure with the Duke Ellington Orchestra.
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Portrait of Johnny Hodges, Pt. I (Podcast #18-020)

Johnny Hodges one of the most unique voices in jazz, graced the Ellington band for almost 40 years.
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The Treasury Shows, Pt. I (Podcast #18-019)

A look at the first 5 volumes of the 25 volume set of Duke Ellington’s Treasury Shows released by Storyville Records. Continue reading

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Tiger Rag & its Ellington Contrafacts (Podcast #18-018)

Tiger Rag provided Ellington with composition material for many years Continue reading

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Portrait of Ella Fitzgerald (Podcast #18-017)

A look at the magical teaming of Duke and Ella….
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Portrait of Louis Armstrong (Podcast #18-014)

If there were a Mount Rushmore for American Music, Ellington and Armstrong would be guaranteed members. Here we highlight their collaborations. Continue reading

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Beyond the Valley of the Usual Suspects (Podcast #18-011)

Another sampling of rarely covered Ellington compositions….
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Portrait of Ivie Anderson (Podcast #18-010)

Ivie Anderson was Duke’s first full time singer and was perhaps his best vocalist. Continue reading

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Where to Start? (Podcast #18-009)

These four CD sets are a great start to a Duke Ellington collection at a reasonable price. Continue reading

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Sittin’ In (Podcast #18-004)

Over a half century, Ellington crossed paths with many illustrious musicians….
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Portrait of Ben Webster, Pt. II (Podcast #18-003)

A look at the music of Ben Webster after his tenure with the Duke Ellington Orchestra. Continue reading

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Beyond “The Usual Suspects” (Podcast #18-001)

Featuring rarely covered Ellington compositions Continue reading

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Season’s Greetings! (Podcast #17-017)

Happy Holidays from Ellington Reflections! We will return with new bi-weekly episodes on 20 January 2018.. Continue reading

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Reflections on “The Far East Suite” (Podcast #17-007)

Examining different interpretations of Ellington’s Far East Suite Continue reading

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Harlem (Podcast #17-005)

Duke Ellington lived in Harlem and celebrated the city and the people in song. Continue reading

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