Duke Ellington was a tonal impressionist. Each musician in his band had two functions—to be able to play and to have a special sound. Taken as a whole, his orchestral pieces were like canvases, with different hues layered on top of each other.
Here are three of Ellington's top saxophonists on solo showcases, providing an opportunity to hear their distinct sounds isolated:
Here's Ben Webster on Chelsea Bridge...
Here's Harry Carney on Sophisticated Lady...
And here's Johnny Hodges on I Got It Bad (and That Ain't Good)...
Here are three of Ellington's top saxophonists on solo showcases, providing an opportunity to hear their distinct sounds isolated:
Here's Ben Webster on Chelsea Bridge...
Here's Harry Carney on Sophisticated Lady...
And here's Johnny Hodges on I Got It Bad (and That Ain't Good)...
This story appears courtesy of JazzWax by Marc Myers.
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