Collection: Johnny Hodges

Born John Cornelius Hodges in Cambridge, Massachusetts on 25 July 1907, Johnny Hodges became one of the most influential alto saxophonists in jazz history, known for a tone so beautiful Duke Ellington said it sometimes brought tears to the eyes. Self-taught on drums and piano before taking up soprano saxophone at 14, he met Sidney Bechet in Boston in 1922 and received lessons from the master, developing his early sound whilst also taking up alto saxophone. After playing in Boston and moving to New York in 1924, he worked with Lloyd Scott, Luckey Roberts, and Chick Webb before joining Duke Ellington's Orchestra in November 1928 on Barney Bigard's recommendation. His first recording with Ellington came on 25 June 1928, and he immediately became one of the band's top soloists, known for his lush, sensuous tone and mastery of portamento, gliding from note to note like a slide trombone.

Hodges became the most featured soloist in Ellington's orchestra for four decades, playing lead alto in the saxophone section and inspiring countless compositions including "Jeep's Blues", "The Jeep Is Jumpin'", "Confab with Rab", and "Hodge Podge", which he co-wrote. Ellington showcased his ballad mastery on "Warm Valley", "Passion Flower", "In a Sentimental Mood", and Billy Strayhorn's "Blood Count". From 1951 to 1955 he led his own small group, scoring a hit with "Castle Rock" and recording for Norgran and Verve, but returned to Ellington in August 1955 shortly before the orchestra's triumphant 1956 Newport Jazz Festival performance. His influence was profound: Benny Goodman called him the greatest alto saxophonist, Charlie Parker called him "the Lily Pons of his instrument", and John Coltrane considered him his first model. He died suddenly of a heart attack on 11 May 1970, aged 62.