John Cornelius "Johnny" Hodges was an American alto saxophonist, best known for solo work with Duke Ellington's big band. He played lead alto in the saxophone section for many years. Hodges was also featured on soprano saxophone, but refused to play soprano after 1946. Along with Benny Carter, Hodges is considered to be one of the definitive alto saxophone players of the big band era.
James Mundell Lowe was an American jazz guitarist who worked often in radio, television, and film, and as a session musician.
Wild Bill Davis was the stage name of American jazz pianist, organist, and arranger William Strethen Davis. He is best known for his pioneering jazz electric organ recordings and for his tenure with the Tympany Five, the backing group for Louis Jordan. Prior to the emergence of Jimmy Smith in 1956, Davis was the pacesetter among organists.
Joseph Christopher Columbus Morris, better known as Crazy Chris Columbo or just Chris Columbo, was an American jazz drummer. He was sometimes credited as Joe Morris on record, though he is no relation to free jazz guitarist Joe Morris or trumpeter Joe Morris.
Leslie Spann Jr. was an American jazz guitarist and flautist. As a sideman he recorded with Nat Adderley, Benny Bailey, Bill Coleman, Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis, Curtis Fuller, Red Garland, Benny Goodman, Sam Jones, Abbey Lincoln, Charles Mingus, Duke Pearson, Jerome Richardson, Charlie Shavers, Sonny Stitt, Billy Taylor, Randy Weston, and Ben Webster. As a leader he recorded only once, the album Gemini in 1961.
Accentuate the Positive is an album of songs from the 1940s, recorded in 2004 by singer Al Jarreau. In 2005 the album received a Grammy Award nomination for Best Jazz Vocal Album.
New Orleans Suite is a studio album by the American pianist, composer, and bandleader Duke Ellington, recorded and released on the Atlantic label in 1970. The album contains the final recordings of longtime Ellington saxophonist Johnny Hodges, who died between the album's two recording sessions. The album won a Grammy Award in 1971 for Best Jazz Performance by a Big Band.
Togo Brava Suite is an album by the American pianist, composer, and bandleader Duke Ellington. It was recorded in England and released by United Artists Records in 1971. The album won a Grammy Award for Best Jazz Performance by a Big Band in 1972. The album was later reissued on CD by Blue Note in 1994, and studio recordings of the complete "Togo Brava Suite" were released in 2001 by Storyville.
70th Birthday Concert is a live album by American pianist, composer and bandleader Duke Ellington recorded in England recorded at the Free Trade Hall in Manchester, England and originally released on the Solid State label in 1970. The album was later reissued on CD on the Blue Note label in 1995.
Up in Duke's Workshop is an album by the American pianist, composer and bandleader Duke Ellington that collects sessions recorded in 1969, 1970, 1971 and 1972, released on the Pablo label in 1979.
Mess of Blues is an album recorded by American jazz saxophonist Johnny Hodges and organist Wild Bill Davis featuring performances recorded in 1963 and released on the Verve label.
Blue Rabbit is an album by American jazz saxophonist Johnny Hodges and organist Wild Bill Davis featuring performances recorded in 1963 and 1964 and released on the Verve label.
Sandy's Gone is an album recorded by American jazz saxophonist Johnny Hodges featuring performances recorded in 1963 and released on the Verve label.
Blue Hodge is an album recorded by American jazz saxophonist Johnny Hodges featuring performances recorded in 1961 and released on the Verve label.
Joe's Blues is an album recorded by American jazz saxophonist Johnny Hodges and organist Wild Bill Davis featuring performances recorded in 1965 and released on the Verve label.
Wings & Things is an album by American jazz saxophonist Johnny Hodges and organist Wild Bill Davis featuring performances recorded in 1965 and released on the Verve label.
Stride Right is an album by American jazz saxophonist Johnny Hodges and pianist/organist Earl "Fatha" Hines featuring performances recorded in 1966 and released on the Verve label.
Blue Pyramid is an album by American jazz saxophonist Johnny Hodges and organist Wild Bill Davis featuring performances recorded in late 1965 and early 1966 and released on the Verve label.
Wild Bill Davis & Johnny Hodges in Atlantic City is a live album by American jazz saxophonist Johnny Hodges and organist Wild Bill Davis. The album features performances recorded in Atlantic City in 1966 and was released on the RCA Victor label.
