Duke Ellington And Johnny Hodges - Side By Side (1971 Japanese Verve Gatefold LP)

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Duke Ellington And Johnny Hodges - Side By Side Vinyl LP - 1971 Japanese Verve Gatefold Reissue

The reunion of Duke Ellington with his longtime alto saxophonist Johnny Hodges resulted in this intimate session showcasing both musicians' enduring artistry. Originally recorded for Verve and reissued in Japan in 1971 by Polydor K.K. in gatefold format, Side By Side features nine tracks blending Ellington originals with standards, the duo's decades-long musical partnership evident in their intuitive interaction. Hodges' warm, singing alto saxophone tone—one of the most distinctive and influential sounds in jazz history—finds perfect complement in Ellington's elegant piano work, their collaboration demonstrating that even masters can achieve new insights through familiar partnership.

Hodges spent most of his career in Ellington's orchestra (1928-1970, with a five-year absence 1951-1955), his alto saxophone becoming an essential voice in the Ellington sound. This smaller group setting allows both musicians' individual voices to shine while maintaining the rapport built over decades of collaboration. Tracks like "Stompy Jones" showcase swinging, uptempo material, while ballads like "Just A Memory" and "Let's Fall In Love" demonstrate Hodges' legendary ability to make his horn sing with human expressiveness. Ellington's piano work provides both rhythmic support and melodic counterpoint, his harmonic sophistication evident throughout.