Tag Archives: Johnny Hodges

Parisian Birthday Celebration (Podcast #23-004)

Posted on April 29, 2023 by Ellington Reflections

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 →

Posted in podcast | Tagged Billy Strayhorn, Count Basie, Duke Ellington, France, Harry Carney, Johnny Hodges, Lawrence Brown, Paris, Paul Gonsalves, podcast, Ray Nance | Leave a comment

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

Posted on October 28, 2022 by Ellington Reflections

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 →

Posted in podcast | Tagged Brock Peters, Bunny Briggs, Cat Anderson, David Hayes, Duke Ellington, Harry Carney, James Little, Johnny Hodges, Lawrence Brown, Louie Bellson, New York Choral Society, The New School College of Performing Arts | Leave a comment

Portrait of Louie Bellson (Podcast #22-010)

Posted on September 29, 2022 by Ellington Reflections

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 →

Posted in podcast | Tagged Billy Strayhorn, Cat Anderson, Duke Ellington, Harry Carney, Harry James, Johnny Hodges, Juan Tizol, Lawrence Brown, Louie Bellson, Pearl Bailey, Ray Nance, Wardell Gray, Willie Smith | Leave a comment

Creole Rhapsody (Podcast #22-005)

Posted on April 29, 2022 by Ellington Reflections

“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 →

Posted in podcast | Tagged Arthur Whetsel, Cootie Williams, Duke Ellington, Harold Ashby, Harry Carney, Johnny Hodges, Lawrence Brown, Norris Turney, Sonny Greer | Leave a comment

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

Posted on February 22, 2022 by Ellington Reflections

Another look at less commonly covered Ellington compositions. Continue reading →

Posted in podcast | Tagged Billy Strayhorn, Cat Anderson, Duke Ellington, Gene Krupa, Harry Carney, Henri Chaix, Jimmy Jones, Johnny Hodges, Kenny Burrell, Lambert Hendricks and Ross, Ray Nance, Rex Stewart, Russell Procope, Scott Hamilton | Leave a comment

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

Posted on January 28, 2022 by Ellington Reflections

“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 →

Posted in podcast | Tagged Billy Strayhorn, Bobby Burnet, Charlie Barnet, Clark Terry, Cootie Williams, Duke Ellington, Johnny Hodges, Willie Smith | Leave a comment

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

Posted on June 15, 2021 by Ellington Reflections

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

Posted in podcast | Tagged Alice Babs, Billy Strayhorn, Cat Anderson, Cootie Williams, Duke Ellington, Harry Carney, Johnny Hodges, Paul Gonsalves, Ray Nance | Leave a comment

Portrait of Juan Tizol (Podcast #20-005)

Posted on May 31, 2020 by Ellington Reflections

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

Continue reading →

Posted in podcast | Tagged Barney Bigard, Caravan, Clark Terry, Cootie Williams, Duke Ellington, Harry Carney, Harry James, Johnny Hodges, Juan Tizol, Nat "King" Cole, Perdido, Puerto Rico, Valve Trombone | Leave a comment

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

Posted on February 2, 2020 by Ellington Reflections

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 →

Posted in podcast | Tagged Coleman Hawkins, Cootie Williams, cornet, Django Reinhardt, Duke Ellington, Fletcher Henderson, Johnny Hodges, pedal tones, Rex Stewart | Leave a comment

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

Posted on November 16, 2019 by Ellington Reflections

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

Posted in podcast | Tagged Bill Berry, Billy Strayhorn, Cat Anderson, Chico Hamilton, Cootie Williams, Duke Ellington, Eric Dolphy, Frank Sinatra, Johnny Hodges, Ken Peplowski, Mal Waldron, Steve Lacy, Zoot Sims | Leave a comment

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

Posted on October 22, 2019 by Ellington Reflections

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

Posted in podcast | Tagged Alto Sax, Billy Strayhorn, Biography, Con Chapman, Duke Ellington, Jeep's Blues, Johnny Hodges, Oxford University Press, Soprano Sax | Leave a comment

Ellingtonian Geography (Podcast #19-016)

Posted on September 21, 2019 by Ellington Reflections

Geographically titled songs by Ellington and his associates. Continue reading →

Posted in podcast | Tagged Barney Bigard, Billy Strayhorn, Cootie Williams, Duke Ellington, Harry Carney, Johnny Hodges, Paul Gonsalves, Sonny Greer | Leave a comment

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

Posted on September 1, 2019 by Ellington Reflections

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

Posted in podcast | Tagged Billy Strayhorn, Cat Anderson, Duke Ellington, Harry Carney, Jimmy Hamilton, Joe "Tricky Sam" Nanton, Johnny Hodges, Juan Tizol, Lawrence Brown, Paul Gonsalves, Radio, Ray Nance, Russell Procope, Sonny Greer, U. S. Treasury Department | Leave a comment

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

Posted on August 4, 2019 by Ellington Reflections

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 →

Posted in podcast | Tagged Billy Strayhorn, Cootie Williams, Duke Ellington, Harry Carney, Jimmy Hamilton, Joe "Tricky Sam" Nanton, Johnny Hodges, Juan Tizol, Lawrence Brown, Russell Procope, Sonny Greer, Trombone, Wild Bill Davis | Leave a comment

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

Posted on July 21, 2019 by Ellington Reflections

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 →

Posted in podcast | Tagged Billy Strayhorn, Cootie Williams, Duke Ellington, Harry Carney, Joe "Tricky Sam" Nanton, Johnny Hodges, Juan Tizol, Lawrence Brown, Sonny Greer, Trombone | Leave a comment

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

Posted on July 7, 2019 by Ellington Reflections

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

Posted in podcast | Tagged Billy Strayhorn, Duke Ellington, Harry Carney, Jimmy Hamilton, Joe "Tricky Sam" Nanton, Johnny Hodges, Kay Davis, Lawrence Brown, Mercer Ellington, Nat Jones, Ray Nance, Sonny Greer, Storyville Records, U. S. Treasury Department | Leave a comment

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

Posted on June 16, 2019 by Ellington Reflections

Ellington never liked to set his compositions in stone. Here’s a few examples of how he would re-visit older works…
Continue reading →

Posted in podcast | Tagged Bubber Miley, Cootie Williams, Cotton Club, Duke Ellington, Joe "Tricky Sam" Nanton, Johnny Hodges, Lawrence Brown, Sonny Greer | Leave a comment

Portrait of Otto Hardwicke (Podcast #19-010)

Posted on June 2, 2019 by Ellington Reflections

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

Posted in podcast | Tagged Alto Sax, Baritone Sax, Barney Bigard, Bass Sax, Bubber Miley, Cootie Williams, Duke Ellington, Fred Guy, Harry Carney, Johnny Hodges, Otto Hardwicke, Sonny Greer | Leave a comment

Portrait of Bubber Miley (Podcast #19-008)

Posted on April 20, 2019 by Ellington Reflections

“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 →

Posted in podcast | Tagged Barney Bigard, Bing Crosby, Bix Beiderbecke, Bubber Miley, Cootie Williams, Cotton Club, Duke Ellington, Fred Guy, Freddy Guy, Harry Carney, Hoagy Carmichael, Joe "Tricky Sam" Nanton, Johnny Hodges, Paul Whiteman, Ray Nance, Sonny Greer, Wellman Braud | Leave a comment

Portrait of Fred Guy (Podcast #19-007)

Posted on April 7, 2019 by Ellington Reflections

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

Posted in podcast | Tagged Banjo, Billy Strayhorn, Cotton Club, Duke Ellington, Fred Guy, Freddy Guy, Guitar, Johnny Hodges, Sonny Greer | 2 Comments

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

Posted on March 24, 2019 by Ellington Reflections

Continuing our exploration of Duke’s radio broadcasts on behalf of the US Treasury Department.
Continue reading →

Posted in podcast | Tagged Al Sears, Billy Strayhorn, Duke Ellington, Harry Carney, Joe "Tricky Sam" Nanton, Johnny Hodges, Jr. Raglin, Lawrence Brown, Sonny Greer, U. S. Treasury Department | Leave a comment

The Treasury Shows, Pt. II (Podcast #19-004)

Posted on February 17, 2019 by Ellington Reflections

A look at some of the music on Volumes 6 through 10 of Storyville Records’ release of the Duke Ellington Treasury Series radio shows.
Continue reading →

Posted in podcast | Tagged Al Hibbler, Al Sears, Billy Strayhorn, Duke Ellington, Harry Carney, Joe "Tricky Sam" Nanton, Johnny Hodges, Joya Sherrill, Kay Davis, Lawrence Brown, Otto Hardwicke, Ray Nance, Sonny Greer, Storyville Records, Taft Jordan, U. S. Treasury Department, War Bonds, World War II | Leave a comment

And Now For Something Completely Different…. (Podcast #19-003)

Posted on February 2, 2019 by Ellington Reflections

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.
Continue reading →

Posted in podcast | Tagged Apollo 11, Barney Bigard, Billy Strayhorn, Cootie Williams, Duke Ellington, Jazz, Jazz Podcast, Joe "Tricky Sam" Nanton, Johnny Hodges, Ray Nance, Sonny Greer | Leave a comment

Portrait of Johnny Hodges, Pt. III (Podcast #19-002)

Posted on January 19, 2019 by Ellington Reflections

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.
Continue reading →

Posted in podcast | Tagged Benny Goodman, Billy Strayhorn, Duke Ellington, Johnny Hodges, Quincy Jones, Wild Bill Davis | Leave a comment

Portrait of Johnny Hodges, Pt. II (Podcast #19-001)

Posted on January 5, 2019 by Ellington Reflections

A look at some of the outside projects done by Johnny Hodges during his second tenure with the Duke Ellington Orchestra.
Continue reading →

Posted in podcast | Tagged Billy Strayhorn, Dizzy Gillespie, Duke Ellington, Earl Fatha Hines, Elvin Jones, Gerry Mulligan, Jimmy Hamilton, Jimmy Jones, Johnny Hodges, Kenny Burrell, Lawrence Brown, Lawrence Welk, Mercer Ellington, Oliver Nelson, Ray Nance, Wild Bill Davis | Leave a comment

Portrait of Johnny Hodges, Pt. I (Podcast #18-020)

Posted on December 15, 2018 by Ellington Reflections

Johnny Hodges one of the most unique voices in jazz, graced the Ellington band for almost 40 years.
Continue reading →

Posted in podcast | Tagged Ben Webster, Benny Carter, Bubber Miley, Charlie Parker, Charlie Shavers, Cootie Williams, Duke Ellington, Harry Carney, Johnny Hodges, Oscar Peterson | Leave a comment

The Treasury Shows, Pt. I (Podcast #18-019)

Posted on November 17, 2018 by Ellington Reflections

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

Posted in podcast | Tagged Al Sears, Cat Anderson, Duke Ellington, FDR, Harry Carney, Joe "Tricky Sam" Nanton, Johnny Hodges, Lawrence Brown, Ray Nance, Rex Stewart, Storyville Records, Victory Bonds, War Bonds, World War II | Leave a comment

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

Posted on October 21, 2018 by Ellington Reflections

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

Posted in podcast | Tagged Art Tatum, Barney Bigard, Bubber Miley, Duke Ellington, Harold "Money" Johnson, Harry Carney, Jelly Roll Morton, Johnny Hodges, New Orleans, Original Dixieland Jazz Band, Piano, Russell Procope, Sonny Greer, Tiger Rag, Vince Prudente | Leave a comment

Portrait of Ella Fitzgerald (Podcast #18-017)

Posted on October 6, 2018 by Ellington Reflections

A look at the magical teaming of Duke and Ella….
Continue reading →

Posted in podcast | Tagged Billy Strayhorn, Chick Webb, Clark Terry, Cootie Williams, Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, Jimmy Hamilton, Jimmy Jones, Johnny Hodges, Paul Gonsalves, Ray Brown, Ray Nance, Sam Woodyard | Leave a comment

Portrait of Louis Armstrong (Podcast #18-014)

Posted on August 25, 2018 by Ellington Reflections

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