John Cornelius "Johnny" Hodges (July 25, 1906 - May 11, 1970) was an American alto saxophonist, best known for his solo act with Duke Ellington's big band. He played lead alto in the saxophone section for many years, except the flow between 1932 - 1946 when Otto Hardwick generally played first chair.
Possessor of the most beautiful tone ever heard in jazz, altoist Johnny Hodges formed his style early on and had small cause to shift it done the decades.
Possessor of the most beautiful tone ever heard in jazz, altoist Johnny Hodges formed his style early on and had small cause to shift it done the decades.
played trumpet and trumpet and with whom I used to hang out, told me-and later mentioned in his book, "Jazz Masters of the 30s"-"He snatches ideas out of the air. . . . On the Ellington orchestra's Pullman, he'd suddenly jump as if a bee had stung him . . . and scribble madly for hours-or sometimes only for a minute.