A Few Minutes with Johnny Hodges

http://www.jazzvideoguy.tv presents Johnny Hodges, in concert.

Possessor of one of the most beautiful tones 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.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Jazz
• Video
• Guy
• Johnny
• Hodges
• Duke
• Ellington
• alto
• saxophone
• smooth

[MusikMajor]

Man, he was good. I've loved listening to him since college. Do you folks think we'll ever hear something like this again?

[JazzVideoGuy]

@MusikMajor No one like Johnny Hodges, a man from a different era and musical sensibility. But there will be other singular creators with their own unique voice.

[MultipleNerdgasms]

Ooooh wow, I feel like I'm about to melt. This is so amazing.

[JazzVideoGuy]

@MultipleNerdgasms He's so SMOOTH.

[sdh74]

Johnny Hodges could play his *ss off!!! A little stubborn, always wanted to be out in front . . . but Ellington knew how to harvest that arrogance and turn it into a good thing. So sad that he died of a heart attack in his dentists office in 1970. The only other altoist that had a very similar sound was Norris Turney who succeeded him.

[JazzVideoGuy]

@sdh74 Norris had a wonderful sound, but only one Johnny Hodges. No other player has ever been able to equal that sound on alto.

[xraylax]

@JH5251 Kenny WHO ....... Listen dude that lil long haired pale wet spot on the bedsheet, could not even stand in Johnny's shadow.

And if one day, Kenny accidentaly finds himself passing trough Johnny's shadow, he'd better kneel down in shame and apologize for ever picking up an instrument.

Its the same as someone comparing Richard Clayderman with The Duke, thats just another reason to shoot a man on sight

[chas63]

@samventura I'm still trying.

You gotta love Rabbit. He was the best.

[thatguywithasaxofone]

@sdh74 With a tone like that, he needs to be out front.

[MsLudilo]

wow, I like this very much !!

[MultipleNerdgasms]

@JazzVideoGuy Agreed. :D

[saxismyaxe]

3 dislikes? OK, what 3 people let their 2 year old kids play on the computer, because you would need to be an unaware toddler to cast a vote like that.