In the fall of 1967, the Ellington band recorded a tribute to the great Billy Strayhorn, who died in May of that year. All the tunes are Strayhorn compositions, some that had not been recorded before. The music and musicianship are wonderful and the sonics of the RCA Victor LP - LSP 3906 (the title of which is the subject of this post) are first rate.
If, knowing that it was his last composition, you can listen to "Blood Count" with dry eyes, you're bettter than I am. Hodges' solo on that song is unbelievable. If you don't own this recording, go out and get it.