The paths of Johnny Hodges (John Cornelius "Johnny" Hodges, nicknames: "Rab… Read Full Bio ↴The paths of Johnny Hodges (John Cornelius "Johnny" Hodges, nicknames: "Rabbit", "Jeep". b. July 25, 1907, in Cambridge, Massachusetts, d. May 11, 1970) and Duke Ellington are eternally intertwined. While Hodges is now universally acknowledged as one of the seminal alto saxophonists in jazz he was, at times, overlooked as an artist in his own right; somehow hidden in the penumbra of The Duke Ellington Orchestra, for which Mr. Hodges was the lead alto player for many decades (doubling on soprano saxophone in the '30's and '40's as well).
Hodges was apparently aware of this effect, leaving the Ellington orchestra in the 1950's, to be replaced by the stellar alto man, Willie Smith, formerly the lead alto star of the Jimmy Lunceford Orchestra. This situation somehow benefitted neither Ellington or Hodges, with the Ellington orchestra losing a certain luster despite Mr. Smith's excellence, and with major stardom just beyond Mr. Hodges' reach.
Luckily for the listener the recordings Mr. Hodges left behind as a leader, while arguably eluding stardom for the artist at the time, are nonpareil examples of relaxed swing, subtle inflection and perfect phrasing, peerless tone and seemingly effortless technique. More luck for the listener, Mr. Hodges later rejoined the Ellington fold, returning a signature sound to the orchestra's unique palette for many years after.
It has been reported that the Ellington orchestra worked nearly 365 days a year. When asked about this grueling schedule Mr. Ellington said something to the effect that he would settle for nothing less than the finest artists for his orchestra. What with the necessarily high salaries accorded an orchestra of virtuosos, the band had to work often in order to survive. Certainly no one in the Ellington orchestra more exemplified Mr. Ellington's highest standards than Johhny Hodges.
Hodges was apparently aware of this effect, leaving the Ellington orchestra in the 1950's, to be replaced by the stellar alto man, Willie Smith, formerly the lead alto star of the Jimmy Lunceford Orchestra. This situation somehow benefitted neither Ellington or Hodges, with the Ellington orchestra losing a certain luster despite Mr. Smith's excellence, and with major stardom just beyond Mr. Hodges' reach.
Luckily for the listener the recordings Mr. Hodges left behind as a leader, while arguably eluding stardom for the artist at the time, are nonpareil examples of relaxed swing, subtle inflection and perfect phrasing, peerless tone and seemingly effortless technique. More luck for the listener, Mr. Hodges later rejoined the Ellington fold, returning a signature sound to the orchestra's unique palette for many years after.
It has been reported that the Ellington orchestra worked nearly 365 days a year. When asked about this grueling schedule Mr. Ellington said something to the effect that he would settle for nothing less than the finest artists for his orchestra. What with the necessarily high salaries accorded an orchestra of virtuosos, the band had to work often in order to survive. Certainly no one in the Ellington orchestra more exemplified Mr. Ellington's highest standards than Johhny Hodges.
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The Jazz Collection
Johnny Hodges Lyrics
Basin Street Blues Won't you come along with me To the Mississippi We'll take a…
But Not for Me Old man sunshine listen you Never tell me dreams come true J…
Day Dream Funny the way I feel now Can't keep my feet on…
Don't Get Around Much Anymore Missed the Saturday dance Heard they crowded the floor Could…
I Let a Song out of My Heart I let a song go out of my heart It was…
In a Mellow Tone In a mellow tone Feeling fancy free And I'm not alone I've g…
Loveless Love Love is like a hydrant: it turns off and on Like…
Mood Indigo You ain't never been blue; no, no, no, You ain't…
Passion Flower Passion flower Sent from the blue above You're a flower of l…
Perdido Perdido, I look for my heart It`s perdido I lost it way d…
Polka Dots and Moonbeams A country dance was being held in a garden I felt…
Prelude to a Kiss If you hear A song in blue Like a flower crying For the…
Rose Room I want to take you to a little room A little…
Solitude In my solitude You haunt me With dreadful ease Of days gone …
Sophisticated Lady Sophisticated lady tryin' to change my ways Just because you…
Squatty Roo There's a song that's really jumping And the fellas say it's…
Squeeze Me Want you to know I go for your squeezin' Want you…
St Louis Blues I hate to see that evening sun go down, I…
This Love of Mine I was a hum-drum person Leading a life apart When love flew…
Whispering Don't worry I'm not looking at you Gorgeous and dressed in…