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Johnny Hodges
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The paths of Johnny Hodges (John Cornelius “Johnny” Hodges, nicknames: “Rabbit”, “Jeep”. b. July 25, 1906, 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, of which Mr. Hodges was the lead alto 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.
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.
Top Albums
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Verve Jazz Masters 35
Johnny Hodges
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Passion Flower 1940-46
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At Sportpalast, Berlin
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With Billy Strayhorn And The Orchestra
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Top Tracks
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Jeep's Blues
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Passion Flower
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The Last Time I Saw Paris
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Day Dream
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Little Rabbit Blues
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Good Queen Bess
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Duke's In Bed
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Castle Rock
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Rosetta
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Squatty Roo
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Things Ain't What They Used To Be
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Back Beat
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Early Morning Rock
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On The Sunny Side Of The Street
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Honey Hill
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Shoutbox
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longraphics wrote:
Absolutely lovely! Johnny Hodges....One of a kind....
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kturner423 wrote:
I love this man's style.
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wwaynesworld wrote:
wwwwonderful !w!
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u85345787 wrote:
hodges är störst på altsaxofon i världen så det så. rune ellington vän!!
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schizodanny wrote:
Open Mike :O :O :O
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F_Hole wrote:
Not to go all rotisserie league about an artform, but Hodges is probably my favorite jazz musician.
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personman_4 wrote:
beautiful
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Recent Activity
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