Side by Side (Duke Ellington and Johnny Hodges album)
Occupation
- Piano: Duke Ellington (1,2,4 ), Billy Strayhorn (3, 5-9)
- Trumpet: Roy Eldridge (3, 5-9 ), Harry "Sweets " Edison (1,2,4 )
- Trumpet, Lawrence Brown (3, 5-9)
- Tenor Sax: Ben Webster (3, 5-9)
- Alto Saxophone: Johnny Hodges
- Guitar, Flute: Les Spann (1,2,4 )
- Bass: Al Hall ( 1,2,4 ), Wendell Marshall (3, 5-9)
- Drums: Jo Jones
Side by Side is a jazz album, which was recorded under the nominal leadership of Duke Ellington and Johnny Hodges in various occupations on August 14, 1958, and on February 20, 1959 in New York City and published in 1959 by Verve.
The album
Although Side by Side by Norman Granz was released as a Duke Ellington and Johnny Hodges album, most pieces were written in August 1958 under the leadership of Hodges and Ben Webster, Roy Eldridge and Lawrence Brown; the pianist at this session was Billy Strayhorn. This is supplemented by album three pieces under the direction of Duke Ellington (whose alto saxophonist Hodges was a long time ), including his own compositions, Going Up ( with Les Spann as a flautist ) and Stompy Jones. Also took part in a slightly different cast, Harry Sweets Edison, Al Hall and Jo Jones next to Hodges. These pieces were written during the recording session in February 1959, when the Verve album Back to Back: Duke Ellington and Johnny Hodges Play the Blues was born. Side by Side contained Let's Fall in Love and Fats Waller's Just Squeeze Me three compositions by Johnny Hodges except some jazz standards like Harold Arlen's.
Reception
Richard Cook and Brian Morton gave the album - as well as the previous album, Back to Back - the highest score. According to the authors, the two recording sessions in smaller lineup had a pronounced Jam Session character. Hodges they dominate, but would be disastrous appearance enough room for adequate solo development.
Stephen Cook rated the album at Allmusic with four stars and highlighted that Side by Side Ellington follow tradition, in addition to recordings with the great orchestras to showcase its various stars in different combos under whose name, as it did in the late 1930s (The Duke's Men) was recorded the band material in ensembles under the nominal leadership of Johnny Hodges, Cootie Williams and Rex Stewart and were among the most magnificent examples of early small -group swing. These later experiments of 1958/59 feature especially Johnny Hodges; this is in great shape, even Edison and Webster would offer great benefits. Highlights were the smooth swinging Going Up and Hodges ' bluesy closing number You Need to Rock. The album is a " must" for fans of vintage Swing Combo.
Tracks on the album
- Duke Ellington & Johnny Hodges: Side by Side ( Verve Records MGVS 6109 )