Johnny Dodds (/ˈdɒts/; April 12, 1892 – August 8, 1940)[2] was an American jazz clarinetist and alto saxophonist based in New Orleans, best known for his recordings under his own name and with bands such as those of Joe "King" Oliver, Jelly Roll Morton, Lovie Austin and Louis Armstrong. Dodds was the older brother of drummer Warren "Baby" Dodds, one of the first important jazz drummers.[3] They worked together in the New Orleans Bootblacks in 1926.[4] Dodds is an important figure in jazz history.[5] He was the premier clarinetist of his era and, in recognition of his artistic contributions, he was posthumously inducted into the Jazz Hall of Fame.[6] He has been described as "a prime architect in the creation of the Jazz Age."[5]
Dodds was born in Waveland, Mississippi. His childhood environment was a musical one.[3] His father and uncle were violinists, his sister played a melodeon, and in adolescence Johnny sang high tenor in the family quartet.[2] According to legend, his instrumental skill began with a toy flute which had been purchased for his brother, Warren "Baby" Dodds.[2] He was known for his serious and reserved manner as well as his "funky blues playing," which earned him the nickname "toilet."[7]
He moved to New Orleans in his youth and studied the clarinet with Lorenzo Tio and Charlie McCurdy.[8][3] He played with the bands of Frankie Duson, Kid Ory,[9] and Joe "King" Oliver.[10][3] Dodds went to Chicago and played with Oliver's Creole Jazz Band, with which he first recorded in 1923. Dodds blamed the breakup on not wanting to travel and on musical conflicts due to Oliver's failing musical abilities.[11] He also worked frequently with his good friend Natty Dominique during this period, a professional relationship that would last a lifetime. After the breakup of Oliver's band in 1924, Dodds replaced Alcide Nunez as the house clarinetist and bandleader of Kelly's Stables.[12] From 1924 to 1930, Dodds worked regularly at Kelly's Stables in Chicago.[3] He recorded with numerous small groups in Chicago, including Louis Armstrong's Hot Five and Hot Seven and Jelly Roll Morton's Red Hot Peppers. He also recorded prolifically under his own name, Johnny Dodds' Black Bottom Stompers, between 1927 and 1929 for Paramount, Brunswick/Vocalion, and Victor. He became a big star on the Chicago jazz scene of the 1920s, but his career precipitously declined with the Great Depression.[13] Although his career gradually recovered,[5] he did not record for most of the 1930s, affected by ill-health; he recorded only two sessions—January 21, 1938, and June 5, 1940—both for Decca. On August 8, 1940, Dodds died of a stroke in his Chicago home[14] and was buried at Lincoln Cemetery in Blue Island, Illinois.
Dodds' grave at Lincoln Cemetery
Known for his professionalism and virtuosity as a musician and his heartfelt, heavily blues-laden style, Dodds was an important influence on later clarinetists, such as Benny Goodman,[15] who stated that no one ever surpassed Dodds in achieving a finer tone with the clarinet.[15] The tone was probably caused by the use of double embouchure (lower and upper lips over the mouthpiece) in combination with a very hard reed (a thin piece of wood resting against the mouthpiece) according to CDK Cook in the Syncophated Times May 10, 2020. Dodds was inducted into the DownBeat Jazz Hall of Fame in 1987.[6]
Sibling rivalryedit
Several accounts suggest the Dodds brothers did not always get along. When the brothers were young children, Johnny received a clarinet from his father while Baby did not get a drum even though he asked for one.[16] In The Baby Dodds Story, Baby Dodds discusses his jealousy of his older brother when they were children. As they grew up, Johnny refused to let Baby play music with him because Baby was a heavy drinker and Johnny did not drink. When Joe Oliver hired Baby to join his band and Johnny realized how much Baby's talent as a drummer had grown, Johnny changed his mind.[17] Although they continued to argue about Baby's excessive drinking, they grew closer as brothers and musicians. Baby was greatly affected by his brother's death.[18]
Discographyedit
Releases featuring Johnny Dodds include the following.[6]
Johnny Dodds, Vol. 1, Riverside RLP-1015.
Johnny Dodds, Vol. 2, Riverside RLP-1002.
Johnny Dodds (1923), Best of Jazz 4014.
Chicago Mess Around, Milestone M-2011.
Johnny Dodds and Kid Ory, Columbia 16004.
Blue Clarinet Stomp, Bluebird 2293–2.
Sweet Side Chicago Jazz, MCA MCAD-42326
In the Alley, Riverside RLP-12135.
1923–1940, Best of Jazz 4014.
Wild Man Blues: 24 Clarinet Classics, ASV/Living Era 5252.
Great Original Performances 1923–1929, Louisiana Red Hot 622.
Myth of New Orleans, Giants of Jazz 53077.
The Complete Johnny Dodds, RCA 741110/111.
King of New Orleans Clarinet (1926-1938) Brunswick BL-58016.
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Johnny Dodds ˈ d ɒ t s April 12 1892 August 8 1940 2 was an American jazz clarinetist and alto saxophonist based in New Orleans best known for his recordings under his own name and with bands such as those of Joe King Oliver Jelly Roll Morton Lovie Austin and Louis Armstrong Dodds was the older brother of drummer Warren Baby Dodds one of the first important jazz drummers 3 They worked together in the New Orleans Bootblacks in 1926 4 Dodds is an important figure in jazz history 5 He was the premier clarinetist of his era and in recognition of his artistic contributions he was posthumously inducted into the Jazz Hall of Fame 6 He has been described as a prime architect in the creation of the Jazz Age 5 Johnny DoddsBorn 1892 04 12 April 12 1892Waveland Mississippi U S 1 DiedAugust 8 1940 1940 08 08 aged 48 Chicago Illinois U S GenresDixielandJazzOccupation s MusicianInstrument s Clarinet saxophone Contents 1 Biography 2 Sibling rivalry 3 Discography 4 References 5 Bibliography 6 External linksBiography editDodds was born in Waveland Mississippi His childhood environment was a musical one 3 His father and uncle were violinists his sister played a melodeon and in adolescence Johnny sang high tenor in the family quartet 2 According to legend his instrumental skill began with a toy flute which had been purchased for his brother Warren Baby Dodds 2 He was known for his serious and reserved manner as well as his funky blues playing which earned him the nickname toilet 7 He moved to New Orleans in his youth and studied the clarinet with Lorenzo Tio and Charlie McCurdy 8 3 He played with the bands of Frankie Duson Kid Ory 9 and Joe King Oliver 10 3 Dodds went to Chicago and played with Oliver s Creole Jazz Band with which he first recorded in 1923 Dodds blamed the breakup on not wanting to travel and on musical conflicts due to Oliver s failing musical abilities 11 He also worked frequently with his good friend Natty Dominique during this period a professional relationship that would last a lifetime After the breakup of Oliver s band in 1924 Dodds replaced Alcide Nunez as the house clarinetist and bandleader of Kelly s Stables 12 From 1924 to 1930 Dodds worked regularly at Kelly s Stables in Chicago 3 He recorded with numerous small groups in Chicago including Louis Armstrong s Hot Five and Hot Seven and Jelly Roll Morton s Red Hot Peppers He also recorded prolifically under his own name Johnny Dodds Black Bottom Stompers between 1927 and 1929 for Paramount Brunswick Vocalion and Victor He became a big star on the Chicago jazz scene of the 1920s but his career precipitously declined with the Great Depression 13 Although his career gradually recovered 5 he did not record for most of the 1930s affected by ill health he recorded only two sessions January 21 1938 and June 5 1940 both for Decca On August 8 1940 Dodds died of a stroke in his Chicago home 14 and was buried at Lincoln Cemetery in Blue Island Illinois nbsp Dodds grave at Lincoln Cemetery Known for his professionalism and virtuosity as a musician and his heartfelt heavily blues laden style Dodds was an important influence on later clarinetists such as Benny Goodman 15 who stated that no one ever surpassed Dodds in achieving a finer tone with the clarinet 15 The tone was probably caused by the use of double embouchure lower and upper lips over the mouthpiece in combination with a very hard reed a thin piece of wood resting against the mouthpiece according to CDK Cook in the Syncophated Times May 10 2020 Dodds was inducted into the DownBeat Jazz Hall of Fame in 1987 6 Sibling rivalry editSeveral accounts suggest the Dodds brothers did not always get along When the brothers were young children Johnny received a clarinet from his father while Baby did not get a drum even though he asked for one 16 In The Baby Dodds Story Baby Dodds discusses his jealousy of his older brother when they were children As they grew up Johnny refused to let Baby play music with him because Baby was a heavy drinker and Johnny did not drink When Joe Oliver hired Baby to join his band and Johnny realized how much Baby s talent as a drummer had grown Johnny changed his mind 17 Although they continued to argue about Baby s excessive drinking they grew closer as brothers and musicians Baby was greatly affected by his brother s death 18 Discography editReleases featuring Johnny Dodds include the following 6 Johnny Dodds Vol 1 Riverside RLP 1015 Johnny Dodds Vol 2 Riverside RLP 1002 Johnny Dodds 1923 Best of Jazz 4014 Chicago Mess Around Milestone M 2011 Johnny Dodds and Kid Ory Columbia 16004 Blue Clarinet Stomp Bluebird 2293 2 Sweet Side Chicago Jazz MCA MCAD 42326 In the Alley Riverside RLP 12135 1923 1940 Best of Jazz 4014 Wild Man Blues 24 Clarinet Classics ASV Living Era 5252 Great Original Performances 1923 1929 Louisiana Red Hot 622 Myth of New Orleans Giants of Jazz 53077 The Complete Johnny Dodds RCA 741110 111 King of New Orleans Clarinet 1926 1938 Brunswick BL 58016 Sixteen Rare Recordings RCA PV 558 Johnny Dodds amp Tiny Parkham Paramount 261201 Dixieland Jug Blowers Victor 261211 Johnny Dodds amp Tiny Parkham Paramount 270401 Johnny Dodds Trio Vocalion 270421 Dodds Black Bottom Stompers Vocalion 270422 Dodds Black Bottom Stompers Vocalion 271008 Johnny Dodds Trio Victor 280705 Johnny Dodds Washboard Band Victor 280796 Johnny Dodds Orchestra Victor 290116 Johnny Dodds Orchestra Victor 290130 Johnny Dodds Orchestra Victor 290207 Johnny Dodds Trio Victor 290207 Johnny Dodds Orchestra Victor 290207 Johnny Dodds Chicago Boys Decca 380121 Johnny Dodds Orchestra Decca 400605 References edit Some sources cite Alabama or Louisiana a b c Lambert 1961 p 3 a b c d e Dicaire 2003 p 39 Lambert 1961 p 27 a b c Dicaire 2003 p 40 a b c Dicaire 2003 p 42 Brothers Thomas 2014 Louis Armstrong Master of Modernism New York NY W W Norton amp Company p 20 ISBN 978 0 393 06582 4 Lambert 1961 p 4 Lambert 1961 p 5 Lambert 1961 p 6 Brothers Thomas 2014 Louis Armstrong Master of Modernism New York NY W W Norton amp Company p 116 ISBN 978 0 393 06582 4 Lambert 1961 p 9 Dicaire 2003 pp 39 40 Spencer Frederick J 2002 Jazz and Death Medical Profiles of Jazz Greats University Press of Mississippi a b Lambert 1961 p 16 Warren Baby Dodds The Percussive Arts Society Archived from the original on September 27 2011 Retrieved April 17 2012 Dodds amp Gara 1992 pp 33 34 Dodds amp Gara 1992 p 68 Bibliography editDicaire David 2003 Jazz Musicians of the Early Years to 1945 Jefferson North Carolina and London McFarland amp Company ISBN 0 7864 1583 5 Lambert George Edmund 1961 Kings of Jazz Johnny Dodds New York Cassell ASIN B000QRYGF2 Rust Brian 1982 Shaw Malcolm ed Jazz Records 1897 1942 5th ed Storyville Publications ISBN 9780902391048 Dodds Baby Gara Larry 1992 The Baby Dodds Story As Told to Larry Gara Louisiana State University Press ISBN 9780807117569 External links edit nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to Johnny Dodds Johnny Dodds 1892 1940 Red Hot Jazz Archive William Russell Jazz Collection at The Historic New Orleans Collection Johnny Dodds recordings at the Discography of American Historical Recordings Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Johnny Dodds amp oldid 1182383042, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
