JOHNNY HODGES 1951-55 Sessions Mosaic Box 6-LP set rare
$
260
Favourite Auctions
To save auctions to your favourites, please login
If you don't have an account, please register
Description
THE COMPLETE JOHNNY HODGES SESSIONS 1951-1955, (Mosaic MR6-126)
LONG out-of-print and hard to find, this is a beautiful 6-LP record box set collection from Mosaic Records (the companion set to THE COMPLETE VERVE JOHNNY HODGES SMALL GROUP SESSIONS 1956-1961 (MD6-200)--see my other auction)...This set contains all of the recording sessions that Johnny Hodges led from 1951 through 1955, the period during which he left the Duke Ellington Orchestra to lead his own ensemble. Recorded in New York City, San Francisco, or Los Angeles between January 15, 1951, and September 8, 1955...the sessions essentially feature Hodges' working band with some well-known ringers replacing working members on some occasions; Hodges runs through a repertory of Ellingtonia, his own melodies, and the jazz standards with verve and grace and superlative imagination...most selections were issued spread over releases on Clef, Norgran, or Verve labels... this set gathers all this great music together in chronological order with correct personnel and recording dates for the very first time. Includes 20-page oversize booklet with great photos by Stanley Dance and Al Sears, biography and extensive liner notes by Stanley Dance, plus discography and album index... beautiful superior sound from the original mono recordings--and mastering from engineer extraordinaire Rudy Van Gelder. Excellent music!
"***** - 5 Stars, ALL MUSIC GUIDE (Scott Yanow)
"As is true of most Mosaic box sets, it would be very difficult to improve upon this reissue. After 22 years, altoist Johnny Hodges left Duke Ellington's orchestra in 1950 to try to make it on his own as a bandleader. Five years later, he returned to Ellington for the final 15 years of his life after having recorded the music heard on this six-LP set. Hodges's small group, a unit that emphasized blues, ballads, and riff-filled romps, was an extension of the Ellington band. Hodges had a big hit with "Castle Rock" (ironically a feature for tenor saxophonist Al Sears), but otherwise had trouble at the end making ends meet. Other notable sidemen on these enjoyable performances include trumpeters Emmett Berry and Harold "Shorty" Baker, trombonist Lawrence Brown, and tenors Flip Phillips, Ben Webster, and John Coltrane on one session (during which he unfortunately does not solo); the final session, from Sept. 8, 1955 (after Hodges had already returned to Ellington), also has trumpeter Clark Terry and pianist Billy Strayhorn. Most of this music had been long out of print at the time this 1989 box was released. A highly recommended gem of swinging jazz."
I am the original owner and it has had a prized place in my jazz library, but I am finally letting someone else enjoy this Mosaic collection. The set is near mint: the large booklet and box are near mint, the LP records are pristine - they were played on audiophile turntable only and archived to tape - and are protected in the original rice paper poly sleeves. This set is a very low edition number 0460 of an edition limited to 7500 copies...
International bidders are always welcome, but I will NOT end this auction early with any "Buy It Now" offers... This box set will be very carefully packed and will cost $16 to ship to US, $18 to Canada, $30 to the rest of the world. I only accept PayPal and I will ship promptly upon payment. Please check my feedback and bid with confidence... I will be listing many more cool jazz items from my collection so check back for more!
price rating
