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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 201-225 of 257 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Brunswick B18319 10-in. 12/03/1935 Spreadin' the rhythm around Billie Holiday ; Teddy Wilson Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Brunswick B19495 10-in. 6/30/1936 It's like reaching for the moon Billie Holiday ; Teddy Wilson Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Brunswick B19496 10-in. 6/30/1936 These foolish things Billie Holiday ; Teddy Wilson Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Brunswick B19498 10-in. 6/30/1936 I cried for you Billie Holiday ; Teddy Wilson Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Brunswick B19499 10-in. 6/30/1936 Guess who? Billie Holiday ; Teddy Wilson Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Brunswick B20911 10-in. 3/31/1937 Carelessly Billie Holiday ; Teddy Wilson Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Brunswick B20912 10-in. 3/31/1937 How could you? Billie Holiday ; Teddy Wilson Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Brunswick B20913 10-in. 3/31/1937 Moanin' low Billie Holiday ; Teddy Wilson Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Brunswick B21117 10-in. 5/11/1937 Sun showers Billie Holiday ; Teddy Wilson Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Brunswick B21118 10-in. 5/11/1937 Yours and mine Billie Holiday ; Teddy Wilson Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Brunswick B21119 10-in. 5/11/1937 I'll get by Billie Holiday ; Teddy Wilson Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Brunswick B21120 10-in. 5/11/1937 Mean to me Billie Holiday ; Teddy Wilson Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Decca 60201 10-in. 12/6/1935 Willow tree Mildred Bailey and her Alley Cats instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Decca 60202 10-in. 12/6/1935 Honeysuckle rose Mildred Bailey and her Alley Cats instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Decca 60203 10-in. 12/6/1935 Squeeze me Mildred Bailey and her Alley Cats instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Decca 60204 10-in. 12/6/1935 Down-hearted blues Mildred Bailey and her Alley Cats instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Decca 71939 4/5/1944 As long as I live Woody Herman Orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Decca 71940 10-in. 4/5/1944 Perdido (Lost)-1 Woody Herman Orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Decca 71941 10-in. 4/5/1944 I didn't know about you Woody Herman Orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Decca 71941[a] 4/5/1944 Blue lullaby Woody Herman Orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Decca 102957 7/23/1957 Nobody knows the trouble I've seen The Ellingtonians ; Al Hibbler instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Decca 103169 8/27/1957 White Christmas The Ellingtonians ; Al Hibbler instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Decca 103170 8/27/1957 How blue can you get Chubby Kemp and the Ellingtonians instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Decca 103171 8/27/1957 Set 'em up Sara Ford and the Ellingtonians instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Decca 105297 7/14/1958 Steppin' into swing society Mercer Ellington Orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
(Results 201-225 of 257 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Hodges, Johnny," accessed November 21, 2024, https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/103184.

Hodges, Johnny. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved November 21, 2024, from https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/103184.

"Hodges, Johnny." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 21 November 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

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

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