Duke Ellington & His Orchestra - Brunswick 3987 (1928)

Hands down, my favorite personality in all of jazz is Johnny Hodges. The unmistakable sound of his alto is otherworldly.

Although he had stints with Lloyd Scott, Sidney Bechet, Lucky Roberts and Chick Webb, he didn't record until he joined Ellington’s orchestra.

Here we have his debut recordings from 1928.

Bubber Miley, Arthur Whetsel, Louis Metcalf t / Joe Nanton tb / Barney Bigard cl, ts / Johnny Hodges cl, as, ss / Harry Carney cl, as / Duke Ellington p / Fred Guy bj / Wellman Braud sb / Sonny Greer d.

Recorded in New York on June 25, 1928.