Duke Ellington Meets Coleman Hawkins

The 2011 two-fer Duke Ellington Meets Coleman Hawkins/And John Coltrane, combines two classic '60s releases on Impulse Records. The first features the swing-era icon, tenor saxophonist Hawkins going head to had with the legendary pianist/bandleader Ellington. This is the first and last time the two titans of swing recorded together. Also featured in the ensemble are such names as trumpeter Ray Nance, alto saxophonist Johnny Hodges, and others. The second features Ellington alongside the legendary saxophone innovator Coltrane and his quartet featuring bassists Jimmy Garrison and Aaron Bell, and drummers Elvin Jones and Sam Woodyard. While the material is primarily focused on Ellington's urbane body of work, hearing these two absolute geniuses play with a sympathetic ear to each other is a joy. Ultimately, both of these albums are stellar small group sessions with the Hawkins date being the more extroverted listen, and the Coltrane date being a more intimate, if still bluesy affair. ~ Matt Collar