CD Review: Owen Broder, "Hodges: Front and Center, Vol 1"

 

When I first started listening to Jazz the first saxophone player who captured me was Johnny Hodges. I discovered him entrenched in the Duke Ellington Orchestra.  I loved Johnny's alto sound and his melodic solos and that love has stayed with me over the years.   Saxophonist Owen Broder pays tribute to Johnny Hodges in his new CD "Hodges: Front and Center, Vol 1".  Broder has taken a deeper dive into Hodges' music world an focused not only with his work with Ellington but also into Hodges' work with small groups particularly two 1959 releases, "Back to Back and Side By Side".  

In developing the Hodges Project, Broder carefully selected some outstanding musicians that were well versed in both modern Jazz and the vintage styles that is this album's focus.  The band features trumpeter Riley Mulherkar, Carmen Staff on Piano, Barry Stephenson on Bass and Bryan Carter on Drums.  The result produced a totally enjoyable journey back to the golden years of Jazz and a overdue reminder of the brilliant Saxophonist Johnny Hodges.  The sounds on this CD will remind all Jazz fans that good Jazz never gets old!

Owen Broder is based in New York City and he is involved in multiple music projects. His debut album, "Heritage" was praised by DownBeat Magazine as a "Transcendent work of art".  His quintet Cowboys and Frenchmen has received critical acclaim for its three full-length recordings.  Broder is a member of the Grammy nominated Anat Cohen Tentet and the Manhattan Saxophone Quartet.  He teaches Jazz Theory and Jazz Arranging at Portland State University.

I have attached a "YouTube" video of a terrific Broder arrangement of Ellington's signature song "Take The A Train" that showcases his arranging skills and also his playing excellence.  All of the tunes on this CD are great, including his arrangement of "Royal Garden Blues' an"Ballade for the Very Sad and Very Tired Lotus Eaters".   The CD's release date is October 14 and would make a perfect Christmas gift for any Jazz lover.

                                                                      "Take The A Train"

PLAYERS:

Owen Broder- Alto and Baritone Saxphones, Arrangements

Riley Mulherkar- Trumpet

Carmen Staff- Piano

Barry Stephenson- Bass

Bryan Carter- Drums

PLAYLIST:

1. Royal Garden Blues

2. Viscount

3. 18 Carrots for Rabbit

4. I'm Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter

5. Digits

6. Ballade for the Very Sad and Very Tired Lotus Eaters

7. Take the A Train

8. Just a Memory

9. You Need to Rock.

CD Review: "Yeah......About That" by Johnny Hodges

I just listened to a remarkable new CD from Trumpeter Johnny Hodges which highlights his ability not only as a Trumpet player but also his talents as a composer/arranger and sound engineer.  John has been playing Trumpet since the 5th grade but don't be fooled by the fact that this is his first solo release.  Johnny has paid his dues over the years performing as a sideman for musical greats across many different types of music and sound.  Just a few of the notable artists he has worked with include: Paul Anka, The Temptations, The Four Freshman, Clark Terry, Roy Clark, Diane Schuur, Vic Damone and Johnny Mathis.

This CD has a funky jazz-inspired sound on some exciting new music that Johnny has composed and arranged.  He also produced all the rhythm programing and the Brass. A virtual one-man band with the feel of a big and serious jazz group.  Bryan Cook added his Trumpet to the mix on track 8, "First Try" and Jeff Barone played some serious guitar licks on Tracks 3 & 8.

I especially liked Track 1, "Dixie Twister", Track 3, "Cozumel" and Track 5, "Para Ti, Mi Amor". There is no doubt that Johnny Hodges is an excellent songwriter, arranger, sound engineer and jazz Trumpet player. This is pure and simple a great jazz CD with a modern but disciplined sound that won't disappoint any Jazz fan.  This CD was released on August 21, 2012.  In my opinion this CD is worthy of a  Grammy nomination. This proves that Jazz is still alive and well in the USA in year 2012.