Cornelius "Johnny" Hodges (July 25, 1907 – May 11, 1970) was an American alto saxophonist, best known for solo work with Duke Ellington's big band. He played lead alto in the saxophone section for many years. Hodges was also featured on soprano saxophone, but refused to play soprano after 1946.[1] Along with Benny Carter, Hodges is considered to be one of the definitive alto saxophone players of the big band era.[2]
After beginning his career as a teenager in Boston, Hodges began to travel to New York and played with Lloyd Scott, Sidney Bechet, Luckey Roberts and Chick Webb. When Ellington wanted to expand his band in 1928, Ellington's clarinet player Barney Bigard recommended Hodges. His playing became one of the identifying voices of the Ellington orchestra. From 1951 to 1955, Hodges left the Duke to lead his own band, but returned shortly before Ellington's triumphant return to prominence – the orchestra's performance at the 1956 Newport Jazz Festival.
Hodges was born in the Cambridgeport neighborhood of Cambridge, Massachusetts, to John H. Hodges and Katie Swan Hodges, both originally from Virginia.[2] After moving for a short period of time to North Cambridge,[3] the family moved to Hammond Street in the South End of Boston, where he grew up with saxophonists Harry Carney (who would also become a long-term member of Duke Ellington’s big band), Charlie Holmes and Howard E. Johnson. His first instruments were drums and piano. While his mother was a skilled piano player, Hodges was mostly self-taught.[2]
Once he became good enough, he played the piano at dances in private homes for $8 an evening.[2] He had taken up the soprano saxophone by his teens. It was around this time that Hodges developed the nickname "Rabbit", which some people believe arose from his ability to win 100-yard dashes and outrun truant officers, while others, including Carney, said he was called by that name because of his rabbit-like nibbling on lettuce and tomato sandwiches.[2][3]
When Hodges was 14, he went with his eldest sister to see Sidney Bechet play in Jimmy Cooper's Black and White Revue in a Boston burlesque hall.[2] Hodges's eldest sister introduced him to Bechet, who asked him to play something on the soprano saxophone he had brought with him. Hodges played "My Honey's Lovin' Arms" for Bechet, who was impressed with his skill and encouraged him to keep on playing and would also give Hodges formal saxophone lessons. Hodges built a name for himself in the Boston area before moving to New York City in 1924.[2]
Duke Ellington
Hodges joined Duke Ellington's orchestra in November 1928. He was one of the prominent Ellington Band members who featured in Benny Goodman's 1938 Carnegie Hall concert. Goodman described Hodges as "by far the greatest man on alto sax that I ever heard."[4]Charlie Parker called him "the Lily Pons of his instrument."[5]John Coltrane considered Hodges his first model on the saxophone, even calling him “the world's greatest saxophone player.”[citation needed]
In performance: Hodges with Ellington, Frankfurt, Germany, February 6, 1965.
Ellington's practice of writing tunes specifically for members of his orchestra resulted in the Hodges specialties, "Confab with Rab", "Jeep's Blues", "Sultry Sunset", and "Hodge Podge". Other songs recorded by the Ellington Orchestra which prominently feature Hodges's smooth alto saxophone sound are "Magenta Haze", "Prelude to a Kiss", "Haupe" (from Anatomy of a Murder) – also notable are the "seductive" and hip-swaying "Flirtibird", featuring the "irresistibly salacious tremor" by Hodges,[6] "The Star-Crossed Lovers" from Ellington's Such Sweet Thunder suite, "I Got It Bad (And That Ain't Good)", "Blood Count" and "Passion Flower".[citation needed]
He had a pure tone and economy of melody on both the blues and ballads that won him admiration from musicians of all eras and styles, from Ben Webster and John Coltrane, who both played with him when he had his own orchestra in the 1950s, to Lawrence Welk, who featured him in an album of standards. His highly individualistic playing style, which featured the use of a wide vibrato and much sliding between slurred notes, was frequently imitated. As evidenced by the Ellington compositions named after him, he earned the nicknames Jeep[7] and Rabbit – according to Johnny Griffin because "he looked like a rabbit, no expression on his face while he's playing all this beautiful music."[8]
Saxophones
In the 1940s, Hodges played a Conn 6M (recognizable by its octave-key mechanism being on the underside of the neck) and later on a Buescher 400 (recognizable by its V-shaped bell-brace) alto saxophone. By the end of his career in the late 1960s, Hodges was playing a Vito LeBlanc Rationale alto (serial number 2551A), an instrument with unusual key-mechanisms (providing various alternative fingerings) and tone-hole placement, which gave superior intonation. Fewer than 2,000 were ever made. Hodges's Vito saxophone was silver-plated and extensively engraved on the bell, bow, body and key-cups of the instrument.[9]
Death
Hodges's last performances were at the Imperial Room in Toronto, less than a week before his May 11, 1970, death from a heart attack, suffered during a visit to the office of a dental surgeon. His last recordings are featured on the New Orleans Suite, which was only half-finished when he died. He was married twice; he had a daughter by his first wife, Bertha Pettiford, and a son (John C. Hodges II) and a daughter (Lorna Lee) by his second wife, Edith Cue.[10]
The loss of Hodges's sound prompted Ellington, upon learning of the musician's death from a heart attack, to lament to JET magazine: "The band will never sound the same without Johnny." In Ellington's eulogy of Hodges, he said: "Never the world's most highly animated showman or greatest stage personality, but a tone so beautiful it sometimes brought tears to the eyes—this was Johnny Hodges. This is Johnny Hodges."[11]
Hodges was not a member of Ellington's Orchestra before 1928, or during 1951–55, or after May 11, 1970, when Hodges died. Duke Ellington's earliest recordings date from 1924 and he died on May 24, 1974. The two men's discographies thus match almost exactly, bar exceptions listed above and in this section.
^ abcdefgTumpak, John R. (2011). "Johnny Hodges: Sensual Musical Beauty". Memory Lane (172): 41–42. ISSN 0266-8033.
^ abChapman, Con (September 2, 2019). Rabbit's Blues: The Life and Music of Johnny Hodges. Oxford, New York: Oxford University Press. ISBN9780190653903.
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Cornelius Johnny Hodges July 25 1907 May 11 1970 was an American alto saxophonist best known for solo work with Duke Ellington s big band He played lead alto in the saxophone section for many years Hodges was also featured on soprano saxophone but refused to play soprano after 1946 1 Along with Benny Carter Hodges is considered to be one of the definitive alto saxophone players of the big band era 2 Johnny HodgesHodges playing a Conn 6M with Al Sears in background 1946Background informationBirth nameCornelius HodgesBorn 1907 07 25 July 25 1907Cambridge MassachusettsDiedMay 11 1970 1970 05 11 aged 62 New York CityGenresJazz swingOccupation s MusicianInstrument s Alto saxophone soprano saxophone clarinetYears active1924 1970 After beginning his career as a teenager in Boston Hodges began to travel to New York and played with Lloyd Scott Sidney Bechet Luckey Roberts and Chick Webb When Ellington wanted to expand his band in 1928 Ellington s clarinet player Barney Bigard recommended Hodges His playing became one of the identifying voices of the Ellington orchestra From 1951 to 1955 Hodges left the Duke to lead his own band but returned shortly before Ellington s triumphant return to prominence the orchestra s performance at the 1956 Newport Jazz Festival Contents 1 Biography 1 1 Early life 1 2 Duke Ellington 2 Saxophones 3 Death 4 Discography 4 1 As leader or co leader 4 2 As sideman 5 References 6 External linksBiography EditEarly life Edit Hodges was born in the Cambridgeport neighborhood of Cambridge Massachusetts to John H Hodges and Katie Swan Hodges both originally from Virginia 2 After moving for a short period of time to North Cambridge 3 the family moved to Hammond Street in the South End of Boston where he grew up with saxophonists Harry Carney who would also become a long term member of Duke Ellington s big band Charlie Holmes and Howard E Johnson His first instruments were drums and piano While his mother was a skilled piano player Hodges was mostly self taught 2 Once he became good enough he played the piano at dances in private homes for 8 an evening 2 He had taken up the soprano saxophone by his teens It was around this time that Hodges developed the nickname Rabbit which some people believe arose from his ability to win 100 yard dashes and outrun truant officers while others including Carney said he was called by that name because of his rabbit like nibbling on lettuce and tomato sandwiches 2 3 When Hodges was 14 he went with his eldest sister to see Sidney Bechet play in Jimmy Cooper s Black and White Revue in a Boston burlesque hall 2 Hodges s eldest sister introduced him to Bechet who asked him to play something on the soprano saxophone he had brought with him Hodges played My Honey s Lovin Arms for Bechet who was impressed with his skill and encouraged him to keep on playing and would also give Hodges formal saxophone lessons Hodges built a name for himself in the Boston area before moving to New York City in 1924 2 Duke Ellington Edit Hodges joined Duke Ellington s orchestra in November 1928 He was one of the prominent Ellington Band members who featured in Benny Goodman s 1938 Carnegie Hall concert Goodman described Hodges as by far the greatest man on alto sax that I ever heard 4 Charlie Parker called him the Lily Pons of his instrument 5 John Coltrane considered Hodges his first model on the saxophone even calling him the world s greatest saxophone player citation needed In performance Hodges with Ellington Frankfurt Germany February 6 1965 Ellington s practice of writing tunes specifically for members of his orchestra resulted in the Hodges specialties Confab with Rab Jeep s Blues Sultry Sunset and Hodge Podge Other songs recorded by the Ellington Orchestra which prominently feature Hodges s smooth alto saxophone sound are Magenta Haze Prelude to a Kiss Haupe from Anatomy of a Murder also notable are the seductive and hip swaying Flirtibird featuring the irresistibly salacious tremor by Hodges 6 The Star Crossed Lovers from Ellington s Such Sweet Thunder suite I Got It Bad And That Ain t Good Blood Count and Passion Flower citation needed He had a pure tone and economy of melody on both the blues and ballads that won him admiration from musicians of all eras and styles from Ben Webster and John Coltrane who both played with him when he had his own orchestra in the 1950s to Lawrence Welk who featured him in an album of standards His highly individualistic playing style which featured the use of a wide vibrato and much sliding between slurred notes was frequently imitated As evidenced by the Ellington compositions named after him he earned the nicknames Jeep 7 and Rabbit according to Johnny Griffin because he looked like a rabbit no expression on his face while he s playing all this beautiful music 8 Saxophones EditIn the 1940s Hodges played a Conn 6M recognizable by its octave key mechanism being on the underside of the neck and later on a Buescher 400 recognizable by its V shaped bell brace alto saxophone By the end of his career in the late 1960s Hodges was playing a Vito LeBlanc Rationale alto serial number 2551A an instrument with unusual key mechanisms providing various alternative fingerings and tone hole placement which gave superior intonation Fewer than 2 000 were ever made Hodges s Vito saxophone was silver plated and extensively engraved on the bell bow body and key cups of the instrument 9 Death EditHodges s last performances were at the Imperial Room in Toronto less than a week before his May 11 1970 death from a heart attack suffered during a visit to the office of a dental surgeon His last recordings are featured on the New Orleans Suite which was only half finished when he died He was married twice he had a daughter by his first wife Bertha Pettiford and a son John C Hodges II and a daughter Lorna Lee by his second wife Edith Cue 10 The loss of Hodges s sound prompted Ellington upon learning of the musician s death from a heart attack to lament to JET magazine The band will never sound the same without Johnny In Ellington s eulogy of Hodges he said Never the world s most highly animated showman or greatest stage personality but a tone so beautiful it sometimes brought tears to the eyes this was Johnny Hodges This is Johnny Hodges 11 Discography EditAs leader or co leader Edit 1946 Passion Flower RCA with Willie Cook Roy Eldridge Quentin Jackson Russell Procope Ben Webster Sam Woodyard 1951 Caravan Prestige with Taft Jordan Harold Baker Juan Tizol Duke Ellington Billy Strayhorn Oscar Pettiford Sonny Greer 1951 52 Castle Rock Norgran 1952 In a Tender Mood Norgran 1952 54 The Blues Norgran 1951 54 More of Johnny Hodges Norgran 1951 54 Memories of Ellington Norgran also released as In a Mellow Tone 1954 Used to Be Duke Norgran 1952 55 Dance Bash Norgran also released as Perdido 1955 Creamy Norgran 1956 Ellingtonia 56 Norgran 1956 Duke s in Bed Verve 1957 The Big Sound Verve 1958 Blues A Plenty Verve 1958 Not So Dukish Verve 1959 Johnny Hodges and His Strings Play the Prettiest Gershwin Verve 1959 Back to Back Duke Ellington and Johnny Hodges Play the Blues Verve with Duke Ellington 1959 Side by Side Verve with Duke Ellington 1960 A Smooth One Verve 1960 Gerry Mulligan Meets Johnny Hodges Verve with Gerry Mulligan 1961 Blue Hodge Verve with Wild Bill Davis 1961 Johnny Hodges with Billy Strayhorn and the Orchestra Verve 1961 Johnny Hodges at Sportpalast Berlin Pablo with Ray Nance Lawrence Brown Al Williams 1963 Buenos Aires Blues Johnny Hodges Quintet with Lalo Schifrin on piano 1963 Sandy s Gone Verve 1963 Mess of Blues Verve with Wild Bill Davis 1964 Everybody Knows Johnny Hodges Impulse 1964 Blue Rabbit Verve with Wild Bill Davis 1965 Con Soul amp Sax RCA Victor with Wild Bill Davis 1965 Joe s Blues Verve with Wild Bill Davis 1965 Wings amp Things Verve with Wild Bill Davis 1965 Inspired Abandon Impulse with Lawrence Brown 1966 Stride Right Verve with Earl Hines 1966 Blue Pyramid Verve with Wild Bill Davis 1966 Wild Bill Davis amp Johnny Hodges in Atlantic City RCA Victor with Wild Bill Davis 1966 Blue Notes Verve 1967 Triple Play RCA Victor 1967 Don t Sleep in the Subway Verve 1967 Swing s Our Thing Verve with Earl Hines 1968 Rippin amp Runnin Verve 1970 3 Shades of Blue Flying Dutchman with Leon Thomas and Oliver NelsonAs sideman Edit See also Duke Ellington discography Hodges was not a member of Ellington s Orchestra before 1928 or during 1951 55 or after May 11 1970 when Hodges died Duke Ellington s earliest recordings date from 1924 and he died on May 24 1974 The two men s discographies thus match almost exactly bar exceptions listed above and in this section with Lawrence Brown Inspired Abandon Impulse 1965 billed as Lawrence Brown s All Stars with Johnny Hodgeswith Coleman Hawkins Hawkins Eldridge Hodges Alive At the Village Gate Verve 1962 with Joya Sherrill Joya Sherrill Sings Duke 20th Century Fox 1965 with Billy Strayhorn Cue for Saxophone Felsted 1959 with Billy Taylor Taylor Made Jazz Argo 1959 With Clark Terry Duke with a Difference Riverside 1957 References Edit Wikimedia Commons has media related to Johnny Hodges Yanow Scott Johnny Hodges Biography AllMusic All Media Network Retrieved April 8 2016 a b c d e f g Tumpak John R 2011 Johnny Hodges Sensual Musical Beauty Memory Lane 172 41 42 ISSN 0266 8033 a b Chapman Con September 2 2019 Rabbit s Blues The Life and Music of Johnny Hodges Oxford New York Oxford University Press ISBN 9780190653903 Goodman Benny Kolodin Irving 1939 The Kingdom of Swing Stackpole Sons p 231 ASIN B000878B3S Morton John Fass 2008 Backstory in Blue Ellington at Newport 56 Rutgers University Press p 31 ISBN 978 0813542829 Stryker Mark January 20 2009 Ellington s score still celebrated Detroit Free Press Archived from the original on February 12 2009 Retrieved February 23 2013 100 Jazz Profiles BBC Radio 3 Retrieved September 29 2014 Panken Ted April 18 1990 In Conversation with Johnny Griffin Jazz com Archived from the original on March 18 2010 Hodges Vito Also Doctor Sax Retrieved 8 April 2016 Saxophonist Johnny Hodges Leaves 86 000 Estate To His Widow And Children JET December 28 1972 Retrieved March 28 2018 Ellington Duke 1973 Music Is My Mistress New York Da Capo p 119 ISBN 0 306 80033 0 External links EditJohnny Hodges discography at Discogs Johnny Hodges at IMDb Johnny Hodges at Find a Grave Johnny Hodges recordings at the Discography of American Historical Recordings Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Johnny Hodges amp oldid 1149380210, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
