HODGES, JOHNNY


Meaning of HODGES, JOHNNY in English

orig. John Cornelius Hodges

born July 25, 1906, Cambridge, Mass., U.S.

died May 11, 1970, New York, N.Y.

U.S. saxophonist, one of the greatest alto-saxophone stylists in jazz .

"Rabbit" Hodges was encouraged and influenced by Sidney Bechet in the mid-1920s. He joined Duke Ellington 's band in 1928 and quickly became its most prominent soloist. Except for a period when he led his own small group (1951–55), Hodges would remain with Ellington for the rest of his career. His peerless, soulful tone and rhythmic poise made him a master interpreter of both ballads and blues , and Ellington and Billy Strayhorn composed many pieces expressly for him.

Britannica Concise Encyclopedia.      Краткая энциклопедия Британика.