Johnny Hodges
Possessor of the most beautiful tone ever heard in jazz, altoist Johnny Hodges formed his style early on and had little reason to change it through the decades. Although he could stomp with the best swing players and was masterful on the blues, Hodges' luscious playing on ballads has never been topped. He played drums and piano early on before switching to soprano sax when he was 14. Hodges was taught and inspired by Sidney Bechet, although he soon used alto as his main ax; he would regretfully drop soprano altogether after 1940. His early experiences included playing with Lloyd Scott, Chick Webb, Luckey Roberts, and Willie "The Lion" Smith (1924), and he also had the opportunity to work with Bechet. However, Johnny Hodges' real career began in 1928 when he joined Duke Ellington's orchestra. He quickly became one of the most important solo stars in the band and a real pacesetter on alto; Benny Carter was his only close competition in the 1930s. Hodges was featured on a countless number of performances with Ellington and also had many chances to lead recording dates with Ellington's sidemen. Whether it was "Things Ain't What They Used to Be," "Come Sunday," or "Passion Flower," Hodges was an indispensable member of Ellington's orchestra in the 1930s and '40s. It was therefore a shock, in 1951, when he decided to leave Duke Ellington and lead a band of his own. Hodges had a quick hit in "Castle Rock" (which ironically showcased Al Sears' tenor and had no real contribution by the altoist), but his combo ended up struggling and breaking up in 1955. Hodges' return to Duke Ellington was a joyous occasion and he never really left again. In the 1960s, Hodges teamed up with organist Wild Bill Davis on some sessions, leading to Davis joining Ellington for a time in 1969. Johnny Hodges, whose unchanging style always managed to sound fresh, was still with Duke Ellington when he suddenly died in 1970.
© Scott Yanow /TiVo
Similar artists
-
Best Jazz Albums of 1956 - Johnny Hodges, The Ellington All-Stars, Thelonious Monk, Vol. 6
Johnny Hodges, Thelonious Monk, Duke Ellington All-Stars, Oscar Pettiford, Kenny Clarke
Jazz - Released by Intense Media GmbH on 1 Feb 2019
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
-
-
A Tribute to Johnny Hodges (HD Remastered)
Vocal Jazz - Released by Reborn recordings on 12 Nov 2018
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Not So Dukish (HD Remastered)
Vocal Jazz - Released by Reborn recordings on 20 Nov 1958
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Used to Be Duke
Lounge - Released by Ancien Prodige on 20 Sep 2021
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Johnny Hodges - Day Dream, 1938-1947 (HD Remastered)
Vocal Jazz - Released by Reborn recordings on 12 Nov 2018
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
The Eleventh Hour (Hd Remastered Edition, Doxy Collection)
Jazz - Released by Doxy Records on 1 Jan 1963
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Passion Flower 1940-1946 (Remastered Version) (Doxy Collection)
Jazz - Released by Doxy Records on 13 Jun 1995
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Silver Moon and Golden Sands
Jazz - Released by Black Barn Music on 9 Aug 2023
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
A Tribute to Johnny Hodges (Hq Remastered)
Jazz - Released by Vintage Recordings on 7 Jul 2021
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
-
Side By Side
Jazz - Released by SINETONE AMR on 1 Jan 1959
The Qobuz Essential Discography16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Ellingtonia 56 (Original Jazz Sound)
Bebop - Released by Original Jazz Sound on 25 Jul 2011
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
1937-1939 (HD Remastered)
Johnny Hodges, His Orchestra, Cootie Williams
Vocal Jazz - Released by Reborn recordings on 12 Nov 2018
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Things Ain't What They Used To Be (HD Remastered)
Vocal Jazz - Released by Reborn recordings on 12 Nov 2018
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Blue Hodge (HD Remastered)
Johnny Hodges, Wild Bill Davis
Vocal Jazz - Released by Reborn recordings on 1 Jan 1962
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
In A Tender Mood (HD Remastered)
Vocal Jazz - Released by Reborn recordings on 1 Jan 1956
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
In Chronogical 1945 - 1950 (HD Remastered)
Vocal Jazz - Released by Reborn recordings on 22 Sep 2018
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
-
The Big Sound(HD Remastered)
Johnny Hodges, The Ellington Men
Vocal Jazz - Released by Reborn recordings on 1 Jan 1957
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo