ProJazz.net

3 Shades of Blue is the final album recorded by American jazz saxophonist Johnny Hodges featuring performances recorded in 1970 with vocalist Leon Thomas and composer/arranger Oliver Nelson and first released on the Flying Dutchman label. The album was rereleased in 1989 under Nelson’s leadership as Black, Brown and Beautiful with additional tracks.

Track listing:
“Empty Ballroom Blues” (Duke Ellington, Cootie Williams) – 4:54
“Duke’s Place” (Ellington, Bob Thiele, Bill Katz, Ruth Roberts) – 2:35
“Echoes of Harlem” (Ellington) – 4:20
“Disillusion Blues” (Leon Thomas) – 3:56
“Yearning” (Oliver Nelson) – 5:20
“Welcome to New York” (Thomas) – 4:10
“Black, Brown and Beautiful” (Nelson) – 3:50
“Rockin’ in Rhythm (Ellington, Harry Carney, Irving Mills) – 3:09
“Creole Love Call” (Ellington) – 4:56
“It´s Glory” (Ellington) – 2:55

Personnel:
Johnny Hodges – alto saxophone
Leon Thomas – vocals (tracks 2, 4 & 6)
Oliver Nelson – arranger, conductor
Randy Brecker, Ernie Royal, Marvin Stamm, Snooky Young – trumpet
Al Grey, Quentin Jackson, Garnett Brown, Thomas Mitchell – trombone
Bob Ashton, Danny Bank, Jerry Dodgion, Joe Farrell, Jerome Richardson, Frank Wess – reeds
Earl Hines (tracks 2, 4, 6, 8 & 10), Hank Jones (tracks 1, 3, 5, 7 & 9) – piano
David Spinozza – guitar (tracks 1, 3, 5, 7 & 9)
Ron Carter – bass
Grady Tate – drums

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Released: 1970
Recorded: March 17 & 19, 1970
NYC
Label: Flying Dutchman FDS 120
Producer: Bob Thiele