johnny hodges death

Hodges' last performances were at the Imperial Room in Toronto, less than a week before his May 11, 1970 death from a heart attack, suffered during a visit to the office of a dental surgeon. He worked in Boston and New York during the mid-1920s, playing in bands led by Lloyd Scott, Chick Webb, Bobby Sawyer, Luckey Roberts, and Bechet. He quickly became one of the most important solo stars in the band and a real pacesetter on alto; Benny Carter was his only close competition in the 1930s. Omissions? We are heartbroken, but find some comfort knowing that Johnny has joined this group of angels, and they have already begun a joyous reunion in heaven. Date of birth : 1906-07-25 Date of death : 1970-05-11 Birthplace : Cambridge, Massachusetts,U.S. Johnny Hodges Birthday and Date of Death. [2][3], When Hodges was 14 he went with his eldest sister to see Sidney Bechet play in Jimmy Cooper's Black and White Revue in a Boston burlesque hall. Date of birth : 1906-07-25 Premium Membership is now 50% off! He then received instruction from the legendary Sidney Bechet, one of the first important jazz soloists and perhaps Hodges’s only major influence. From Claude Debussy to "Sabre Dance," gather your smarts and see what you can create in this study of composers. Johnny was born on March 20, 1955, to the late Luther and Faye Hodges. Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students. Alive! There was not much that could melt his heart other than her, with the exception of his grandchildren. Johnson. Hodges' return to Duke Ellington was a joyous occasion and he never really left again. Johnny and Tina were blessed with four children and nine grandchildren that he clearly adored. Register online at www.sardisheardfunerals.com. 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. Category : Famous Figures Possessor of the most beautiful tone ever heard in jazz, altoist Johnny Hodges formed his style early on and had little reason to change it through the decades. Other songs recorded by the Ellington Orchestra which prominently feature Hodges' smooth alto saxophone sound are "Magenta Haze", "Prelude to a Kiss", "Haupe" (from Anatomy of a Murder) – also notable are the "seductive" and hip-swaying "Flirtibird", featuring the "irresistibly salacious tremor" by Hodges,[6] "The Star-Crossed Lovers" from Ellington's Such Sweet Thunder suite, "I Got It Bad (And That Ain't Good)", "Blood Count" and "Passion Flower". Visitation will be held on Thursday, October 22, 2020, from 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM at Sardis-Heard Funerals and Cremation Center, 6125 Houston Road, Macon, Georgia. Hodges! Hodges was also featured on soprano saxophone, but refused to play soprano after 1946. I am so sorry for your loss. This site is provided as a service of SCI Shared Resources, LLC. Johnny Hodges was essentially self-taught, starting on drums and piano and later picking up soprano and alto sax. Hodges’s influence was so pervasive in American jazz that subsequent generations of saxophone players, even those who never heard him play, have emulated his style. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Johnny was a member of the Carolina Cruisers Classic Car Club and had worked as an Elvis impersonator. Hodges was taught and inspired by Sidney Bechet, although he soon used alto as his main ax; he would regretfully drop soprano altogether after 1940. Last modified : 2011-11-30 Johnny Hodges, birth name Cornelius Hodges, bynames Jeep and Rabbit, (born July 25, 1906, Cambridge, Massachusetts, U.S.—died May 11, 1970, New York, New York), American jazz saxophonist who was a featured soloist in Duke Ellington’s orchestra. Renowned for the beauty of his tone and his mastery of ballads, Hodges was among the most influential sax players in the history of jazz. "[8], In the 1940s, Hodges played a Conn 6M (recognizable by its underslung neck) and later on a Buescher 400 (recognizable by its V-shaped bell-brace) alto saxophone. Johnny Hodges was born on July 25, 1907 and died on May 11, 1970. While they would be correct in their recollection, he was also a man who valued his family and would do anything that needed to be done many times without having to ask. He was a family man who showed great love for his family and his country throughout his life. In the 1960s, Hodges teamed up with organist Wild Bill Davis on some sessions, leading to Davis joining Ellington for a time in 1969. "Saxophonist Johnny Hodges Leaves $86,000 Estate To His Widow And Children", Discography of American Historical Recordings, Never No Lament: The Blanton-Webster Band, Braggin' in Brass: The Immortal 1938 Year. Birthplace : Cambridge, Massachusetts,U.S. Johnny graduated from Villa Rica High School in 1985. Johnny Hodges would have been 62 years old at the time of death or 108 years old today. They had one hit recording, “Castle Rock,” but lasting success proved elusive, and they disbanded in 1955. Hodges-Moore Funeral Home is in charge of funeral arrangements. His playing became one of the identifying voices of the Ellington orchestra. Eldridge! Your browser does not support this video format. He was a true original, about whom Ellington once said: “Johnny Hodges has complete independence of expression. However, Johnny Hodges' real career began in 1928 when he joined Duke Ellington's orchestra. Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. Goodman described Hodges as "by far the greatest man on alto sax that I ever heard. As evidenced by the Ellington compositions named after him, he earned the nicknames Jeep[7] and Rabbit – according to Johnny Griffin because "he looked like a rabbit, no expression on his face while he's playing all this beautiful music. receive updates when new memories are posted. It was therefore a shock, in 1951, when he decided to leave Duke Ellington and lead a band of his own. A gathering of family and friends will be held 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM Monday, May 16, 2016 in Hodges-Moore Funeral Home. Credited as : alto saxophonist, Duke Ellington Band, "Jeep's Blues", © 2010 BrowseBiography.com - Your Website for informations, John Legend collaborates with Pharrell, Q-Tip and Hit-Boy for, Jeff Bezos buys The Washington Post though he won't be leading, Quote from Pope Francis 'Who Am I to Judge? While his mother was a skilled piano player, Hodges was mostly self-taught. Hodges was featured on a countless number of performances with Ellington and also had many chances to lead recording dates with Ellington's sidemen. An awesomely talented jazz alto saxophonist and band leader, best known for his standout work with Duke Ellington. Johnny Hodges, whose unchanging style always managed to sound fresh, was still with Duke Ellington when he suddenly died in 1970. Mr. Hodges was born in Statesboro and lived in Bluffton, SC for many years before moving back to Statesboro. He was one of the prominent Ellington Band members who featured in Benny Goodman's 1938 Carnegie Hall concert. If you were to ask Johnny, he began working in the field with his twin brother, Jimmy, at a young age. Nancy, I am so sorry about Johnny. Other Ellington veterans such as Lawrence Brown and Sonny Greer, as well as the young John Coltrane, played in Hodges’s band. Whether it was "Things Ain't What They Used to Be," "Come Sunday," or "Passion Flower," Hodges was an indispensable member of Ellington's orchestra in the 1930s and '40s. Johnny was 62 years old at the time of death. Enter your email below for our complimentary daily grief messages. :) Dennis and Fetina and kids. Ashley,Just wanted you to know I am thinking of you and your family in your time of loss. https://www.dignitymemorial.com/en-ca/obituaries/statesboro-ga/johnny-hodges-6931566. This article was most recently revised and updated by, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Johnny-Hodges, All About Jazz - Biography of Johnny Hodges, Johnny Hodges - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up). With over 2,000 locations, Dignity Memorial providers proudly serve over 400,000 families a year. Nationality : American Category : Famous Figures Last … Hodges played lead alto in Ellington’s sax section; his melody lines were an important component in the band’s palette of sounds. The funeral service will be held 11:00 AM Tuesday, May 17, 2016 in the chapel of Hodges-Moore Funeral Home with Reverend Harry Sherrer officiating. Johnny was preceded in death by his parents, Lamar and Ulmer Hodges, two wives, Ann Hodges and Becky Hodges and his brother, Jimmy Hodges. Fewer than 2,000 were ever made. He was featured on countless Ellington recordings, demonstrating his skill at ballads (“Warm Valley,” “Passion Flower,” “In a Sentimental Mood”) and up-tempo numbers (“Things Ain’t What They Used to Be,” “The Jeep Is Jumpin’”). To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Johnny Hodges, please visit our floral store. Hodges' Vito saxophone was silver-plated and extensively engraved on the bell, bow, body and key-cups of the instrument. [9], Hodges' last performances were at the Imperial Room in Toronto, less than a week before his May 11, 1970 death from a heart attack, suffered during a visit to the office of a dental surgeon.