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Johnny Hodges

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. Along with Benny Carter, Hodges is considered to be one of the definitive alto saxophone players of the big band era.

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.

Birth and Death Data: Born July 25, 1907 (Cambridge), Died May 11, 1970 (New York City)

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1928 - 1959

Roles Represented in DAHR: alto saxophone, clarinet, soprano saxophone, composer, saxophone, leader, songwriter

Notes: He is not to be confused with pianist Johnnie Hardge, whose name sometimes appears as "Hodges."

= Recordings are available for online listening.
= Recordings were issued from this master. No recordings issued from other masters.

Recordings (Results 251-257 of 257 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Signature BOB-3 5/26/1944 Time on my hands Eddie Heywood Jazz Trio instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Signature BOB-4 5/26/1944 Night and day Eddie Heywood Jazz Trio instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Decca N 2994 10-in. 1/2/1945 Midriff Duke Ellington Orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Decca GB 6038 10-in. 7/13/1933 Hyde Park (Every tub) Duke Ellington Orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone, soprano saxophone, clarinet  
Decca GB 6039 10-in. 7/13/1933 Harlem speaks Duke Ellington Orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone, soprano saxophone, clarinet  
Decca GB 6040 10-in. 7/13/1933 Ain't misbehavin' Duke Ellington Orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone, soprano saxophone, clarinet  
Decca GB 6041 10-in. 7/13/1933 Chicago Duke Ellington Orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone, soprano saxophone, clarinet  
(Results 251-257 of 257 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Hodges, Johnny," accessed November 24, 2024, https://adpprod2.library.ucsb.edu/names/103184.

Hodges, Johnny. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved November 24, 2024, from https://adpprod2.library.ucsb.edu/names/103184.

"Hodges, Johnny." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 24 November 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adpprod2.library.ucsb.edu/names/103184

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