Altoist
Johnny Hodges is heard in three different settings on this reissue CD. Such top swing stars as trumpeters
Ray Nance,
Cat Anderson and
Roy Eldridge, trombonists Buster Cooper,
Lawrence Brown and
Benny Powell, tenors
Paul Gonsalves and Jimmy Hamilton, baritonist Harry Carney, pianists
Hank Jones and Jimmy Jones (the latter two sometimes together), guitarists
Tiny Grimes,
Les Spann and
Billy Butler, bassists
Milt Hinton,
Aaron Bell and Joe Benjamin and drummers Gus Johnson, Rufus Jones and
Oliver Jackson are heard in nonets with the great altoist. Despite the many changes in personnel, the music is pretty consistent, with basic swinging originals, blues and ballads all heard in equal proportion. As usual,
Johnny Hodges ends up as the main star. ~ Scott Yanow