Tag Archives: Johnny Hodges
Portrait of Sidney Bechet (Podcast #26-004)
Sidney Bechet briefly played with Ellington in the mid-1920s. They never recorded together, but Bechet played Ellington music throughout his career. Continue reading
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Tagged Duke Ellington, Earl Fatha Hines, Johnny Hodges, Lawrence Brown, Sidney Bechet
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Portrait of Kenny Burrell (Podcast #26-003)
A 95th Birthday salute to guitarist, educator and Ellington advocate Kenny Burrell Continue reading
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Tagged Duke Ellington, Earl Fatha Hines, Ernie Andrews, Johnny Hodges, Kenny Burrell
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Happy Birthday, Duke! (Podcast #25-003)
A birthday salute to Duke Ellington featuring Brian Priestley, Brian Landrus and the Planet D Nonet performing rarely covered Ellington compositions. Continue reading
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Tagged Billy Strayhorn, Brian Landrus, Brian Priestley, Duke Ellington, Harold Minerve, Harry Carney, Johnny Hodges, Planet D Nonet
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The Magazine Suite (Podcast #25-002)
“The Magazine Suite is an entirely new three-part composition. The band played it a few more times in 1945 and 1946 but never thereafter. It is remarkable how many Ellington compositions were allowed to sink without trace like this, suggesting that … Continue reading
The Latin American Suite (Podcast #25-001)
“The Latin American Suite,” from 1968 showed that despite advancing age and the recent death of his writing partner Billy Strayhorn, there was no end in Ellington’s creativity. Continue reading
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Tagged Duke Ellington, Harry Carney, Jazz, Johnny Hodges, Latin America, Lawrence Brown, Mexico, podcast, Rufus Jones
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Portrait of Mercer Ellington, Part II (Podcast #24-004)
Part II of Portrait of Mercer Ellington, composer, arranger, trumpeter – and drummer… Continue reading
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Tagged Ben Webster, composer, Duke Ellington, Ellington Reflections, Harry Carney, Jimmy Jones, Johnny Hodges, Mercer Ellington, Piano, Steve Bowie
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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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Tagged concerts, Cootie Williams, Duke Ellington, Harry Carney, Jazz, Johnny Hodges, Johnny Mercer, Mercer Ellington, music, news, Ray Nance, Sonny Greer
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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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Tagged Cootie Williams, Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, Jimmy Jones, Johnny Hodges, Lawrence Brown, Otto Hardwicke
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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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Tagged Cat Anderson, Clark Terry, Duke Ellington, Harold "Shorty" Baker, Harry Carney, Johnny Hodges, Lawrence Brown, Ray Nance
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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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Tagged Billy Strayhorn, Count Basie, Duke Ellington, France, Harry Carney, Johnny Hodges, Lawrence Brown, Paris, Paul Gonsalves, podcast, Ray Nance
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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
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
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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Tagged Arthur Whetsel, Cootie Williams, Duke Ellington, Harold Ashby, Harry Carney, Johnny Hodges, Lawrence Brown, Norris Turney, Sonny Greer
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Beyond the Usual Suspects, Part I (Podcast #22-003)
Another look at less commonly covered Ellington compositions. Continue reading
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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Tagged Alice Babs, Billy Strayhorn, Cat Anderson, Cootie Williams, Duke Ellington, Harry Carney, Johnny Hodges, Paul Gonsalves, Ray Nance
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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
Beyond the “Usual Suspects” [Again] (Podcast #19-019)
More covers of Ellington compositions that deserve wider exposure. Continue reading
“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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Tagged Alto Sax, Billy Strayhorn, Biography, Con Chapman, Duke Ellington, Jeep's Blues, Johnny Hodges, Oxford University Press, Soprano Sax
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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
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
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
The Treasury Shows, Pt. IV (Podcast #19-012)
A few selections from Volumes 16 thru 20 of Duke’s Treasury Shows…. Continue reading
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 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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Tagged Banjo, Billy Strayhorn, Cotton Club, Duke Ellington, Fred Guy, Freddy Guy, Guitar, Johnny Hodges, Sonny Greer
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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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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
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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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Tagged Benny Goodman, Billy Strayhorn, Duke Ellington, Johnny Hodges, Quincy Jones, Wild Bill Davis
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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
Portrait of Ella Fitzgerald (Podcast #18-017)
A look at the magical teaming of Duke and Ella….
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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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Tagged Billy Strayhorn, Cootie Williams, Duke Ellington, Gilroy, Ivie Anderson, Ivie's Chicken Shack, Johnny Hodges, Marx Brothers
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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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Tagged Al Hibbler, Ben Webster, Britt Woodman, Bubber Miley, Buster Cooper, Cat Anderson, Clark Terry, Cootie Williams, Duke Ellington, Fred Guy, Harry Carney, Ivie Anderson, Jimmie Blanton, Jimmy Hamilton, Joe "Tricky Sam" Nanton, Johnny Hodges, Juan Tizol, Lawrence Brown, Louie Bellson, Paul Gonsalves, Quentin Jackson, Ray Nance, Russell Procope, Sam Woodyard, Sonny Greer, Tyree Glenn
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Sittin’ In (Podcast #18-004)
Over a half century, Ellington crossed paths with many illustrious musicians….
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Tagged Bing Crosby, Buddy Rich, Cat Anderson, Charles Mingus, Cootie Williams, Count Basie, Dizzy Gillespie, Duke Ellington, Elvin Jones, Frank Sinatra, Jimmy Jones, Jimmy Rushing, John Coltrane, Johnny Hodges, Lawrence Brown, Max Roach, podcast, Sam Woodyard, Tommy Dorsey
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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
Beyond “The Usual Suspects” (Podcast #18-001)
Featuring rarely covered Ellington compositions Continue reading
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Tagged Albert de la Fuente, Alice Babbs, Casablanca, Cootie Williams, Doc Cheatham, Don Byron, Don Cherry, Duke Ellington, Herbie Mann, Jay McShann, Joe "Tricky Sam" Nanton, Johnny Hodges, Lawrence Brown, Norah Jones, Phil Woods, Rahsaan Roland Kirk, Second Sacred Concert, Steve Lacy, Usual Suspects
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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
Reflections on “The Far East Suite” (Podcast #17-007)
Examining different interpretations of Ellington’s Far East Suite Continue reading
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Tagged Alban Wesly, Billy Strayhorn, Calefax Reed Quintet, Cat Anderson, Chris Stormquist, Cootie Williams, Duke Ellington, Harry Carney, Ivar Berix, Jazz, Jelte Althuis, Jimmy Hamilton, John Carlson, John Lamb, Johnny Hodges, Kenny Warren, Lawrence Brown, Maarten Ornstein, Matt Moran, Matt Musselman, Oliver Boekhoorn, Paul Gonsalves, Peter Hess, Peter Stan, podcast, Ron Caswell, Rufus Jones, Slavic Soul Party!, Tim Vaughn, Tony Overwater, Wim Kegel
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Harlem (Podcast #17-005)
Duke Ellington lived in Harlem and celebrated the city and the people in song. Continue reading
Ellington Reflections 