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JOHNNY HODGES alto saxophone
LIFELINE 1907-1970
1907
Johnny "Rabbit" (known for liking of lettuce and tomato sandwiches!) Hodges was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts. His first instrument, on which he is self taught, was the soprano saxophone, although he plays also the drums and piano. Early in his career he meets Sidney Bechet and asks for lessons; Bechet takes him under his wing and he plays with him in New York.


1928
Duke Ellington signs Hodges, and he leads the saxophone sections until 1950! In the late-1930s he leads a small studio band drawn from the main Orchestra.

1955
Hodges plays with his own band from 1951 until 1955, when he rejoins Ellington. Apart from brief periods away, he stays with the Duke until 1970.
Hodges had a great technical facility, possessed a wide ranging tone, and was the master of every possible expressive tone and nuance on the saxophone; his ballad playing was sensuous. In later years he played fewer notes but fell back on his gift for time and expression. Alongside Benny Carter, he was the great alto saxophonist of the swing era. He was a great influence on Ben Webster, who joined Ellington in 1940, and also on John Coltrane, who played with Hodges in 1953-54.

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