Title: Artist Eugene Martin's Visit to the Great Pyramids of Giza
Description: http://www.artnet.com/awc/eugene-j-martin.html . Visual artist Eugene James Martin takes an imaginary stroll near the great pyramids of Giza. The works dating from 1977-1978 are graphite drawings created in Washington D.C. Video clip montage by S. Fredericq, filmed in Lafayette, Louisiana (LA). "Blue Pepper (Far East of the Blues)", Music by Duke Ellington. Duke Ellington and his Orchestra: Cootie Williams, William "Cat" Anderson (trumpet); Mercer Ellington, Herbie Jones (trumpet, flugelhorn); Lawrence Brown, Buster Cooper, Chuck Connors (trombone); Jimmy Hamilton (clarinet, tenor saxophone); Johnny Hodges (alto saxophone); Russell Procope (alto saxophone, clarinet); Paul Gonsalves (tenor saxophone); Harry Carney (baritone saxophone); Duke Ellington (piano); John Lamb (bass); Rufus Jones (drums). New York City, 1966 (1967). Duke Ellington - The Far East Suite Special Mix. ©Bluebird, Reissue 1995. http://www.amazon.com/Far-East-Suite-Special-Mix/dp/B000002WSK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1213129065&sr=1-1

Title: Duke Ellington, After All (Billy Strayhorn)
Description: And His Mother Called Him Bill (1967) Personnel: Duke Ellington (piano); Russell Procope, Jimmy Hamilton (alto saxophone, clarinet); Johnny Hodges (alto saxophone); Paul Gonsalves (tenor saxophone); Harry Carney (baritone saxophone); Cat Anderson, Mercer Ellington, Herbie Jones, Cootie Williams (trumpet); Clark Terry (flugelhorn); John Sanders, Lawrence Brown, Buster Cooper, Chuck Connors (trombone); Aaron Bell, Jeff Castleman (bass); Steve Little, Sam Woodyard (drums). I am completely captivated by the Strayhorn/Ellington narrative and by the 1967 CD And His Mother Called Him Bill. Every story has a beginning and a middle, and as many of us eventually figure out , there are no real endings. This CD is a living legacy of that reality. My appreciation for this body of work is inseparable from the love story it expresses. Can you imagine being fortunate enough to meet someone in your lifetime that you connect with on a creative and soul level so profound that it is not a threat to, nor rivalled by any other kind of intimacy? From all that I have read by historians and biographers, and all myths aside, this is the essence of the relationship Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn shared and nurtured for 30 years. A bond beyond gender or sexuality, and even deeper than friendship. Yet, most of their famous compositions were collaborated on while apart and from completely different approaches, one being self taught liking contrast and discord, the other classically trained loving harmony and melody. Strayhorn recalled the first time he watched the Duke in action: Something inside me changed when I saw Ellington on stage, like I hadn't been living until then. And later Ellington described Strayhorn as my right arm, my left arm, all the eyes in the back of my head, my brainwaves in his head, and his in mine. When Billy Strayhorn died in 1967 after a two year struggle with esophagus cancer, Ellington was so devastated that he did not get out of bed for weeks, and three months later he called his band into the studio to record this tribute album. Hence, my inspiration to share. These are my first You Tube uploads, audio only and not perfect, but just lay back, close your eyes and drift.

Title: Artist Eugene Martin's Ornithology Lesson, Part 4.
Description: http://www.artnet.com/awc/eugene-j-martin.html . This is part 4 of a 5-part series on the whimsical birds of visual artist Eugene J. Martin. The works dating from 1977-1978 are graphite drawings created in Washington D.C. Video clip montage by S. Fredericq, filmed in Lafayette, Louisiana (LA). "Bluebird of Delhi (Mynah)" and "Isfahan", Music by Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn. Duke Ellington and his Orchestra: Cootie Williams, William "Cat" Anderson (trumpet); Mercer Ellington, Herbie Jones (trumpet, flugelhorn); Lawrence Brown, Buster Cooper, Chuck Connors (trombone); Jimmy Hamilton (clarinet, tenor saxophone); Johnny Hodges (alto saxophone); Russell Procope (alto saxophone, clarinet); Paul Gonsalves (tenor saxophone); Harry Carney (baritone saxophone); Duke Ellington (piano); John Lamb (bass); Rufus Jones (drums). New York City, 1966 (1967). Duke Ellington - The Far East Suite Special Mix. Bluebird, Reissue 1995. http://www.amazon.com/Far-East-Suite-Special-Mix/dp/B000002WSK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1213129065&sr=1-1

Title: Duke Ellington orch, solo sax: Johnny Hodges 1958: All of me and Things Ain't Not What They Used To Be...
Description: Edward Kennedy Ellington, the "Duke" and his orchestra featuring Johnny Hodges in sax in 1958

Title: Duke Ellington - Isfahan
Description: Encoded by lfbarfe! Watching the Duke Ellington Jazz 65 show (kindly encoded by Mr lfbarfe), I was VERY taken with the performance of Isfahan, from the "Far East Suite." I've chopped it out to share on YouTube, partly so I can keep it handy. Hope you enjoy it. Johnny Hodge's playing is extraordinarily beautiful, very warm and emotive. If you like this, then check out Demonoid for the full thing.

Title: Steve Gossman Live - Night Train part 1 of 2
Description: ***Steve Grossman Two Tenors Quintet*** Steve Grossman - Tenor saxophone Valerio Pontrandolfo - Tenor saxophone Alain Jean-Marie - Piano Paolo Benedettini - String basso Sangoma Everett - Drums Recorded 10, 11 April, 2008 at Gregory's Jazz Club - Rome, Italy http://www.gregorysjazz.com Video editing by http://www.michaelsupnick.com "Night Train" is a twelve bar blues instrumental standard first recorded by Jimmy Forrest in 1951. "Night Train" has a long and complicated history. The piece's opening riff was first recorded in 1940 by a small group led by Duke Ellington sideman Johnny Hodges under the title "That's the Blues, Old Man". Ellington used the same riff as the opening and closing theme of a longer-form composition, "Happy-Go-Lucky Local", that was itself one of four parts of his Deep South Suite. Forrest was part of Ellington's band when it performed this composition, which has a long tenor saxophone break in the middle. After leaving Ellington, Forrest recorded "Night Train" on United Records and had a major rhythm & blues hit. While "Night Train" employs the same riff as the earlier recordings, it is used in a much earthier R&B setting. Forrest inserted his own solo over a stop-time rhythm not used in the Ellington composition. He put his own stamp on the tune, but its relation to the earlier composition is obvious. Like Illinois Jacquet's solo on "Flying Home", Forrest's original saxophone solo on "Night Train" became a veritable part of the composition, and is usually recreated in cover versions by other performers. Buddy Morrow's trombone solo chorus from his recording of the tune is similarly incorporated into many performances. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Night_Train_(song)

Title: Sunset Swing - Lindy by the Shanghai Bund
Description: Sunset Swings, Shanghai 4 June 2006, every Sunday, 4pm til dark. Organized by Shanghai Swings www.shanghaiswings.com Special thanks to Della Zhang, Orchid Bae for the Cinematography Presenting (in order of appearance): Zhuohan Cai & Caroline Kolb dancing to "On Revival Day" sung by Lavern Baker. Steve Y. Lee & Joscelyn Kim dancing to finale of "Good Queen Bess" by Johnny Hodges. Daniel & Jessie, Steve & Orchid Bae, Peter Weng & partner in matching white tops dancing to "Woman got Soul" sung by Joe Williams. Guest appearance by Tot with Baby Doll. All Chinese chillun' got rhythm! Steve & Della Zhang, Mr. & Mrs. Kai Kuo, Andrew Tsai & Joscelyn (check out his slick undress the follow move!) dancing to "Massachussetts" sung by Maxine Sullivan Andrew & Della, Steve & Joscelyn, Daniel & Jessie dancing to "Exactly Like You" sung by Carmen McRae. The buildings of the famous Shanghai Bund are lit in twilight splendor.

Title: These Foolish Things -- Billie Holiday 1936
Description: These Foolish Things -- Billie Holiday 1936 In 1936 Billie was musically matched with trumpeter Jonah Jones and leader pianist Teddy Wilson arranged an incredible recording session also with altosaxophonist Johnny Hodges and Harry Carney on clarinet and here on bariton sax with Lawrence Lucie guitar, John Kirby bass and Cozy Cole drums. Billie, only 21, sings these lyrics with sheer musical instinct.

Title: 1995: A year in the life of artist Eugene J. Martin. Part I.
Description: http://www.artnet.com/awc/eugene-j-martin.html . This is Part I of a 2-part series showing abstract paintings (acrylics on canvas) created by visual artist Eugene James Martin in 1995 in Washington D.C. Video clip montage by S. Fredericq, filmed in Lafayette, Louisiana (LA). "When I dream of you", Music by Earl Hines and Charles Carpenter. Billy Strayhorn (piano), Johnny Hodges (alto saxophone, Harold "Shorty" Baker (trumpet), Quentin Jackson (trombone), Russell Procope (clarinet), Al Hall (bass), Oliver Jackson (drums). New York, 1959. "I'm just a lucky so-and-so", Music by Duke Ellington and Mack David. Billy Strayhorn (arranger, conductor); Johnny Hodges (alto saxophone); Jimmy Jones (piano); Cat Anderson, Harold "Shorty" Baker, Bill Berry, Howard McGhee, Ed Mullens (trumpet); Lawrence Brown, Quentin Jackson (trombone); Chuck Connors (bass trombone); Russell Procope (clarinet, alto saxophone); Aaron bell (bass), Sam Woodyard (drums). Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, 1961. The Stanley Dance Sessions: Billy Strayhorn & Johnny Hodges. Lone Hill Jazz (reissue 2005). http://www.amazon.com/Stanley-Dance-Sessions-Billy-Strayhorn/dp/B0009RS5ZG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1213129899&sr=1-1

Title: Artist Eugene Martin's 1975 Sculptural Drawings
Description: http://www.artnet.com/awc/eugene-j-martin.html . Visual Artist Eugene James Martin's felt-tip marker and mixed media drawings created in Washington DC in 1975. Video clip montage by S. Fredericq, filmed in Lafayette, Louisiana (LA). "Time on My Hands", Music by Richard Rodgers. "Sweet Lorraine", Music by Mitchell Parish and Cliff Burwell. Johnny Hodges and His Orchestra. Harold "Shorty" Baker (trumpet), Quentin Jackson (trombone), Jimmy Hamilton (clarinet), Johnny Hodges (alto saxophone), Don Byas (tenor saxophone), Raymond Fol (piano), Wendell Marshall (bass), Sonny Greer (drums). Paris, 1950. "I surrender Dear", Music by Harris Barris and Gordon Clifford). Coleman Hawkins and His Orchestra. Nat Peck (trombone), Hubert Fol (alto saxophone), Coleman Hawkins (tenor saxophone), Jean-Paul Mengeon (piano), Pierre Michelot (bass), Kenny Clarke (drums). Paris, 1949. Coleman Hawkins, Johnny Hodges, Complete 1949-1950, Vogue Master Takes, The Jazz Factory. http://www.amazon.com/Complete-1949-1950-Vogue-Master-Takes/dp/B00005UL6Z/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1213130388&sr=1-1

Title: It's like reaching for the Moon -- Billie Holiday 1936
Description: A unknown song etched in time by the lightning of Billie's genius. Teddy Wilson starts the tune followed by Johnny Hodges. Then the great Billie comes in tearing your heart out. The other members on this session recorded in New York on June 1936 who close out the tune with an ensemble are Jonah jones trumpet, Harry Carney clarinet, Lawrence Lucie guitar, John Kirby bass and Cozy Cole drums

Title: Artist Eugene Martin's small framed works, Part 1
Description: http://www.artnet.com/awc/eugene-j-martin.html . This is part 1 of a 3-part series on small works on paper by visual artist Eugene J. Martin. Martin framed all these small pen and ink and graphite drawings, felt tip marker and mixed media works dating from the 1970'-1980 himself. The art was created in Washington D.C. and Chapel Hill N.C. Video clip montage by S. Fredericq, filmed in Lafayette, LA (Louisiana). "Wanderlust", Music by Duke Ellington and Johnny Hodges. Johnny Hodges & his Orchestra: Cootie Williams (trumpet), Lawrence Brown (trombone), Johnny Hodges (soprano and alto saxophones); Harry Carney (baritone saxophone); Duke Ellington (piano); Billy Taylor (string bass), Sonny Greer (drums). New York, 1938. Duke Ellington. The Duke's men. Volume 2 1938-1939. ©Columbia Jazz Masterpieces. Digitally remastered 1993. http://music.yahoo.com/release/174294

Title: Stompy Jones by Duke Ellington
Description: Duke Ellington was a composer and band leader-- and one of the most important figures in Western music. He was born in Washington, DC in 1899, the grandchild of slaves. By the 1940's he was considered a musical giant. Side by Side was a 1959 release, officially billed as a Duke Ellington and Johnny Hodges project. Hodges was Ellington's lead sax player for years. Some of the other players, pictured in the clip, are Harry "Sweets" Edison (trumpet), Roy Eldridge (trumpet), Jo Jones (drums), Johnny Hodges (alto sax), and Billy Strayhorn (piano).

Title: 2003: A year in the life of artist Eugene J. Martin. Part I.
Description: http://www.artnet.com/awc/eugene-j-martin.html . This is Part I of a 4-part series showing abstract paintings (acrylics on canvas) created by visual artist Eugene James Martin in 2003 in Lafayette, Louisiana (LA). Video clip montage by S. Fredericq. "I let a song go out of my heart", Music by Duke Ellington, Henry Nemo, Henry Mills, John Redmond. Solos by Harry Carney (bass clarinet), Lawrence Brown (trombone), Joya Sherill (vocals), and the Duke Ellington Orchestra. "I'm beginning to see the light", Music by Don George, Duke Ellington, Harry James, Johnny Hodges. Joya Sherill (vocals) and the Duke Ellington Orchestra. Duke Ellington. The Best of the Complete RCA Victor mid-forties recordings (1944-1945). New York. http://www.amazon.com/Best-Complete-Victor-Mid-Forties-Recordings/dp/B00004S7JK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1213129969&sr=1-1 The collective Duke Ellington Orchestra: Taft Jordan, Rex Stewart, Shelton Hemphill, Cat Anderson, Francis Williams, "Shorty" Baker (trumpet); Ray Nance (trumpet, violin); Claude Jones, Lawrence Brown, Joe "Tricky Sam" Nanton, Wilbur DeParis (trombone); Jimmy Hamilton (clarinet); Otto Hardwick, Russell Procope, Johnny Hodges (alto saxophone); Al Sears (tenor saxophone); Harry Carney (baritone saxophone, bass clarinet); Duke Ellington, Billy Strayhorn (piano); Freddie Guy (guitar); ALvin "Junior" Raglin, Sid Weiss, Al Lucas, Oscar Pettiford (bass); Sonny Greer, Sid Catlett (drums).

Title: "JUMPIN' AT THE WOODSIDE" FRANCESCA ROMANA BROGANI'S JAZZ PORTRAITS
Description: Sketches by Francesca Romana Brogani : Count Basie Louis Armstrong Lester Young Coleman Hawkins Duke Ellington Django Reinhardt Benny Goodman Kid Ory Roy Eldridge Lionel Hampton Gene Kupra James Crawford Thelonius Monk Dexter Gordon Bud Powell Buck Clayton Miles Davis Dizzy Gillespie Chat Baker Bunk Johnson Johnny Hodges Gerry Mulligan Fats Navarro Francesca Romana Brogani lives and works in Rome, as painter, illustrator and portraitist. Tecniques used on this clip: black pen and colored pens. contacts: fbrogani@libero.it Video post production by Ronin Film Production Art director Claudio Costa roninfilmproduction@libero.it