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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 151-175 of 257 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Victor PBS-061942 10-in. 12/2/1941 What good would it do? Duke Ellington Famous Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo instrumentalist, clarinet, alto saxophone  
Victor PBS-061943 10-in. 12/2/1941 I dont know what kind of blues I got Duke Ellington Famous Orchestra ; Herb Jeffries Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo instrumentalist, clarinet, alto saxophone  
Victor BS-070682 10-in. 1/21/1942 Perdido Duke Ellington Famous Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, clarinet, alto saxophone  
Victor BS-070683 10-in. 1/21/1942 The "C" jam blues Duke Ellington Famous Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, clarinet, alto saxophone  
Victor BS-070684 10-in. 1/21/1942 Moon mist Duke Ellington Famous Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, clarinet, alto saxophone  
Victor BS-071890 10-in. 2/26/1942 What am I here for? Duke Ellington Famous Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, saxophone  
Victor BS-071891 10-in. 2/26/1942 I don't mind Ivie Anderson ; Duke Ellington Famous Orchestra Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance band instrumentalist, saxophone  
Victor PBS-072437 10-in. 6/26/1942 My little brown book Duke Ellington Famous Orchestra Male vocal solo, with jazz/dance band instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Victor PBS-072438 10-in. 6/26/1942 Main stem Duke Ellington Famous Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, clarinet, alto saxophone  
Victor PBS-072439 10-in. 6/26/1942 Johnny come lately Duke Ellington Famous Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, clarinet, alto saxophone  
Victor BS-074781 10-in. 7/28/1942 Hayfoot, strawfoot Ivie Anderson ; Duke Ellington Orchestra Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance band instrumentalist, clarinet, alto saxophone  
Victor BS-074782 10-in. 7/28/1942 Sentimental lady Duke Ellington Famous Orchestra ; Johnny Hodges Jazz/dance band, with alto sax solo instrumentalist, clarinet, alto saxophone  
Victor BS-074783 10-in. 7/28/1942 A slip of the lip (can sink a ship) Duke Ellington Famous Orchestra ; Ray Nance Male vocal solo, with jazz/dance band instrumentalist, clarinet, alto saxophone  
Victor BS-074784 10-in. 7/28/1942 Sherman shuffle Duke Ellington Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, clarinet, alto saxophone  
Victor D4VB-0454 10-in. 12/1/1944 I'm beginning to see the light Duke Ellington Famous Orchestra ; Joya Sherrill Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance band songwriter, instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Victor D4VB-0455 10-in. 12/1/1944 Don't you know I care (or don't you care to know) Duke Ellington Famous Orchestra ; Al Hibbler Male vocal solo, with jazz/dance band instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Victor D4VB-0456 10-in. 12/1/1944 I didn't know about you Duke Ellington Famous Orchestra ; Joya Sherrill Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance band instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Victor D5VB-0012 10-in. 1/4/1945 Carnegie blues Duke Ellington Famous Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Victor D5VB-0014 10-in. 1/4/1945 The mood to be wooed Duke Ellington Famous Orchestra ; Johnny Hodges Jazz/dance band, with saxophone solo composer, instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Victor D5VB-0015 10-in. 1/4/1945 (All of a sudden) my heart sings Duke Ellington Famous Orchestra ; Joya Sherrill Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance band instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Victor D5VB-0232 10-in. 4/26/1945 Kissing bug Duke Ellington Famous Orchestra ; Joya Sherrill Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance band instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Victor D5VB-0233 10-in. 5/1/1945 Everything but you Duke Ellington Famous Orchestra ; Joya Sherrill Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance band instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Victor D5VB-0234 10-in. 5/1/1945 (Otto make that) riff staccato Duke Ellington Famous Orchestra ; Ray Nance Male vocal solo, with jazz/dance band instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Victor D5VB-0262 10-in. 5/11/1945 Caravan Duke Ellington Famous Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Victor D5VB-0265 10-in. 5/14/1945 In a sentimental mood Duke Ellington Famous Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
(Results 151-175 of 257 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Hodges, Johnny," accessed November 9, 2024, https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/103184.

Hodges, Johnny. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved November 9, 2024, from https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/103184.

"Hodges, Johnny." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 9 November 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/103184

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