Owen Broder: “Hodges: Front And Center Vol. Two” (2024) CD Review

In 2022, saxophonist Owen Broder released Hodges: Front And Center, a tribute to sax player Johnny Hodges. Hodges, nicknamed Rabbit, is perhaps known more for his work with Duke Ellington than for his own recordings, and on that album Broder played pieces from both the Ellington recordings and Hodges’ albums. Now he has released Hodges: Front And Center Vol. Two, which continues that effort to highlight the work and talent of the saxophonist. This time Owen Broder focuses more on Hodges’ own compositions. As on the first volume, Broder is joined by Riley Mulherkar on trumpet, Carmen Staaf on piano, Barry Stephenson on bass, and Bryan Carter on drums.

The album opens with “Used To Be Duke,” a spirited number that was written after Hodges had left the Duke Ellington Band, though released after his return, used as the title track to a 1956 record. It is a seriously cool and chipper tune, featuring a delicious lead on piano. There is also a drum solo, which I appreciate. Isn’t it great when we are treated to a drum solo on an album’s opening track? But it is the saxophone which at the track’s heart, and I love when the sax and trumpet engage in some play toward the end. The sax and trumpet then are immediately responding to each other at the start of “Wabash Blues,” before Broder’s rather sweet and warm lead. This piece comes from Back To Back, an album that Duke Ellington and Johnny Hodges released in 1959. Its snappy rhythm should have any listener engaged. The rhythm takes a turn toward the end, and there is a bit more back-and-forth on sax and trumpet. “Wabash Blues” was composed by Fred Meinken and Dave Ringle.

“Back Beat” has an easygoing vibe, the bass walking us down to a club where there is always some music playing, no matter the crowd or lack thereof. In fact, the musicians themselves might come and go, but the music itself is constant. The music is the thing. There are certainly some catchy elements to this tune. The highlight of this track is that lead on sax, which is several shades of cool and seems to know precisely what it’s doing. So good! “Back Beat” was composed by Johnny Hodges, and included on the 1960 album Gerry Mulligan Meets Johnny Hodges. This is such an enjoyable track, one of my personal favorites. The pace increases then on “Big Smack,” a tune that Johnny Hodges composed with Ben Webster. This is a fun one, and I am especially fond of the drumming here. There is even a great drum solo in the second half. Each of the musicians has moments to shine on this track, and Riley Mulherkar’s work on trumpet in particular stands out.

The piano is the focus at the beginning of Owen Broder’s wonderful rendition of “St. Louis Blues,” a track that also features a catchy bass line. This blues number swings at moments, then changes course, inviting us to a dance. This track is a delight from beginning to end, and I just want that trumpet to carry me off to some other plane. “St. Louis Blues” is a tune that Duke Ellington and Johnny Hodges included on Back To Back. The group slows things down with “Shady Side,” which has a relaxed vibe, the musicians calm and in control, without a worry, or rather not acknowledging any worries. And that feeling transfers to those listening. This track features some beautiful work on sax. And the trumpet is ready to lift us up. Johnny Hodges wrote this piece, and it was included on Gerry Mulligan Meets Johnny Hodges.

The band gets a chance to cut loose on “Stompy Jones,” a tune that was composed by Duke Ellington and included on the Duke Ellington and Johnny Hodges album Side By Side. The musicians are having fun here, and Owen Broder’s lead on saxophone sings. And the excitement builds during Riley Mulherkar’s lead on trumpet. The energy is high as the track nears its conclusion. They wrap up the album with “The Star-Crossed Lovers,” a song from Such Sweet Thunder, a Duke Ellington album I need in my collection because all the music on it was inspired by the work of William Shakespeare. My two biggest passions in life are music and Shakespeare, and sometimes these two overlap, most often in relation to Romeo And Juliet, as is the case with this track. Owen Broder’s saxophone work on this track is gorgeous and moving. This is a beautiful conclusion to a wonderful release.

CD Track List

1. Used To Be Duke
2. Wabash Blues
3. Back Beat
4. Big Smack
5. St. Louis Blues
6. Shady Side
7. Stompy Jones
8. The Star-Crossed Lovers

Hodges: Front And Center Vol. Two was released on April 19, 2024.