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
Benny Powell
, tenors
Paul Gonsalves
and Jimmy Hamilton, baritonist
Harry Carney
, pianists
Hank Jones
Jimmy Jones
(the latter two sometimes together), guitarists
Tiny Grimes
Les Spann
Billy Butler
, bassists
Milt Hinton
Aaron Bell
Joe Benjamin
and drummers
Gus Johnson
Rufus Jones
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,
ends up as the main star. ~ Scott Yanow