Guest Shot
November, 1989
Rafi ZaborIn its most accustomed context, Johnny Hodges' alto saxophone was the lush layer of cream floating elegantly atop the strong coffee of the rest of Duke Ellington's reed section. Outside the Ducal purview, Hodges was often a bluesier and more easeful presence. On ballads, his famous tone had such luxuriance, and his grace notes so large a sweep of grace, it amazes me that he was able to lift the music into so purple a great beyond without even one gossamer thread of sentimentality attac...
