Johnny Hodges & Ben Webster - Blues-A-Plenty + 8 Bonus Tracks!

20th Century Jazz Masters. Johnny Hodges Septet featuring Ben Webster / Blues-A-Plenty + 8 bonus tracks. Deluxe digipak with 20-page booklet and additional line notes by Penguin Guide to Jazz's writer Brian Morton.JOHNNY HODGES, alto sax; BEN WEBSTER, tenor sax; ROY ELDRIDGE, trumpet; VIC DICKENSON, trombone; BILLY STRAYHORN, piano; JIMMY WOODE, bass; SAM WOODYARD, drums. New York, April 1958Hodges's own work is long overdue a comprehensive revaluation that doesn't take the Ellington material as the only measure. He was a remarkable and multi-faceted musician whose vision was sometimes blurred by resentment but glorious when allowed to shine through unfettered. PENGUIN GUIDE TO JAZZThe youngsters of bebop and hard-bop could well ignore conventions, but the era of swing continued thanks to these (more or less) old men. And far from making us feel blue, their blues brings smiles to all faces. This is great art. JAZZ MAGAZINEThe leader's chops are best exhibited in the ballads and blues features, though his originals merit attention, too. Hodges hardly hogs the spotlight; he obviously takes his share of solos but generously features his guests and associates from the Ellington band. Some of the ther veterans appearing in this collection include Roy Eldridge, Vic Dickenson, and Ben Webster. The atmosphere is friendly and swinging, with the feeling that each take came together quickly, whether or not that was actually the case. An essential purchase for swing fans. - (Ken Dryden) AllMusic