Recorded during the last decade of his long tenure with the Duke Ellington Orchestra, this album finds the great alto saxophonist Johnny Hodges’ musical gifts not only intact but stronger than ever. Featuring the Ellington band – with Jimmy Jones on piano and Billy Strayhorn as bandleader and arranger – it is a fascinating program of Ellington remakes, including tome of the orchestra’s most familiar numbers, all of which have been given subtle new orchestrations by Strayhorn and melodious new interpretations by Hodges.

Recorded in 1961.

Johnny Hodges, alto saxophone
Billy Strayhorn, arranger, conductor, performer
Cat Anderson, trumpet
Shorty Baker, trumpet
Aaron Bell, bass
Bill Berry, trumpet
Lawrence Brown, trombone
Harry Carney, bass clarinet, baritone saxophone, bass saxophone
Chuck Conors, bass trombone
Paul Gonsalves, tenor saxophone
Jimmy Hamilton, clarinet, tenor saxophone
Quentin Jackson, trombone
Jimmy Jones, piano
Howard McGhee, trumpet
Ed Mullens, trumpet
Russell Procope, clarinet, alto saxophone
Sam Woodyard, drums

1. Dont Get Around Much Anymore
2. Ive Got It Bad and That Aint Good
3. Gal From Joes
4. Your Love Has Faded
5. Im Just a Lucky So and So
6. Jeeps Blues
7. Day Dream
8. Juice A-Plenty
9. Azure
10. Tailor Made
11. Stardust