Johnny Hodges

Jazz alto and soprano saxophonist, born in Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA. He joined Duke Ellington's orchestra in 1928, and became an indispensable colour in Ellington's sound palette, staying with him until 1951 and, after leading his own band with moderate success, rejoining in 1955 until his death. Ellington wrote numerous showpieces for Hodges, one of the most distinctive instrumental voices in jazz, such as ‘Sophisticated Lady’ (1933), ‘The Star-Crossed Lovers’ (1957), and ‘Blues for New Orleans’ (1970). Despite their musical intimacy that lasted for 38 years, Hodges and Ellington were not close. At performances when Hodges had been drinking heavily, Ellington often called for three or four of his featured numbers in a row; and Hodges stopped playing soprano saxophone forever, a sound Ellington loved, because Ellington refused him a raise in 1940.

Hodges was mostly self-taught, although he did take lessons on soprano sax with Sidney Bechet.

Johnny Hodges was one of the prominent Ellington Band members who featured in Benny Goodman's legendary 1938 Carnegie Hall concert.

Ellington's practice of writing tunes specifically for members of his orchestra is reflected in the Hodges specialties, "Confab with Rab", "Jeep's Blues", and "Hodge Podge". Other songs recorded by the Ellington Orchestra which prominently feature Hodges' smooth alto-saxophone are "Magenta Haze", "Prelude to a kiss", "Haupe" from Anatomy of a Murder, "The star crossed lovers" from Ellingtons Such Sweet Thunder suite, "I got it bad (and that ain't good)," "Blood Count," and "Passion Flower".

He had a pure tone and economy of melody on both blues songs and ballads that won him admiration from musicians of all eras and styles, from Ben Webster to John Coltrane, both of whom played with him when he had his own orchestra in the 1950s, to Lawrence Welk, who featured him in an album of standards.

Hodges played on the front line of the Ellington saxophone grouping.

Duke Ellington's eulogy of Hodges included: "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.