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(1907-1970)
A giant on the alto saxophone, Johnny Hodges was the leading soloist in Duke Ellington’s orchestra for nearly forty years, excelling in both lyrical ballads and blues. The Massachusetts native began to perform professionally in his teens, replacing Sidney Bechet in Willie "The Lion" Smith’s band in the early 1920s and was also a member of Chick Webb’s orchestra, before joining Ellington in 1928. With Ellington, Hodges was a co-writer of "I’m Beginning to See the Light," "Jeep’s Blues" and other signature songs. Hodges’ beautiful sound will always be closely associated with the Ellington Orchestra’s interpretation of Billy Strayhorn’s "Passion Flower." In the fifties, Hodges led his own bands for several years, including one that featured John Coltrane.
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