BOOKLET

 

• The superb November 1960 session recorded by the Ben Webster-Johnny Hodges sextet in studio conditions at the Jazz Cellar, in San Francisco (without an audience). It is presented here in its complete form, on a single CD, for the first time ever.

• These recordings are exceptional in that no other date exists in their collaborative discography featuring them as the only horns. The two great saxophonists were the only horn players heard at the session. They were backed by a rhythm section of piano, guitar, bass and drums.

• A complete (and very rare) octet session featuring Webster and Hodges has been added as a bonus.

• Ben Webster and Johnny Hodges had already known each other for over 25 years by the time they recorded the present date together at The Jazz Cellar in San Francisco. The two sax giants recorded their first sides together as members of the illustrious Duke Ellington orchestra on August 19, 1935.

• Personnel : Ben Webster, tenor sax; Johnny Hodges, alto sax, on all tracks, plus : Lou Levy, piano; Herb Ellis, guitar; Wilfred Middlebrooks, bass; Gus Johnson, drums – The Jazz Cellar, San Francisco, November 22 1960 (not live). On bonus tracks, with : Ray Nance (trumpet), Lawrence Brown (tb), Emil Richards (vib), Russ Freeman (p), Joe Mondragon (b), Mel Lewis (d), Jimmy Hamilton (arr) – Los Angeles, January 31, 1961.

Features:

Ben Webster, tenor sax

Johnny Hodges, alto sax

Lou Levy, piano

Herb Ellis, guitar

Wilfred Middlebrooks, bass

Gus Johnson, drums – The Jazz Cellar, San Francisco, November 22 1960 (not live). On bonus tracks, with : Ray Nance (trumpet)

Lawrence Brown (tb)

Emil Richards (vib)

Russ Freeman (p)

Joe Mondragon (b)

Mel Lewis (d)

Jimmy Hamilton (arr)

Los Angeles, January 31, 1961.