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 Johnny Hodges & His Orchestra from August 27, 1964, has been added as a bonus to this new DSD 256 Stereo release on tracks 7 thru 9.

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.

This album offers two jazz masters – masters of the saxophone – for the price of one. Ellingtonians both, John Cornelius Hodges and Benjamin Francis Webster were superbly lyrical and magnificently authoritative saxophonists whose extemporized compositions had a serenity and authority that are only to be found among the true elite of Jazz musicians.

Possessor of the most beautiful tone ever heard in Jazz, altoist Johnny Hodges formed his style early on and had little reason to change it through the decades. Hodges’ luscious playing on ballads has never been topped.

Hodges was best known for his solo work with Duke Ellington’s Orchestra where he played lead alto in the saxophone section for many years and his playing became one of the identifying voices of the Ellington orchestra. He is considered one of the definitive Alto Saxophone players of the big band era (alongside Benny Carter). His unchanging style always managed to sound fresh.

Please note that the booklet for this release contains a printing error regarding the instrumentation credits. Ben Webster and Paul Gonsalves are credited with playing the “trumpet” where this should be “tenor saxophone”.

The Jazz Cellar, San Francisco, November 22 1960 (Tracks 1 thru 6)
Johnny Hodges, Alto Saxophone
Ben Webster, Tenor Saxophone
Lou Levy, Piano
Herb Ellis, Guitar
Wilfred Middlebrooks, Bass
Gus Johnson, Drums

Rare Octet Session with Johnny Hodges & His Orchestra, August 27, 1964 (Tracks 7 thru 9)
Johnny Hodges, Alto Saxophone
Cat Anderson, Trumpet
Lawrence Brown, Trombone
Paul Gonsalves, Alto Saxophone
Russell Procope, Alto Saxophone & Clarinet
Victor Feldman, Piano
George Catlett, Bass
Sam Woodyard, Drums

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