“As a youngster, Johnny Hodges was a saxophonist in Boston whose style, in the estimation of all other alto saxophonists, was unique. Even now, I have never yet met and don’t know of a saxophonist who didn’t say he was knocked out by Johnny Hodges”
-Duke Ellington, Music is my Mistress
Mark Sowlakis‘ blog post on Johnny Hodges, which features several transcriptions, can be found at this link
Birth record for Cornelius Hodge
Johnny Hodge(s)’ application for a Social Security Number
Cootie Williams, Harry Carney and Johnny Hodges – 1938
Ben Webster, Charlie Parker, and Johnny Hodges – 1952
The recordings heard on this podcast episode:
Tishomingo Blues (CD: “Early Ellington – The Complete Brunswick and Vocalion Recordings of Duke Ellington, 1926-1931” Decca/MCA Records GRD-3-640)
Recorded 25 June 1928, New York City
James “Bubber” Miley – trumpet; Joe “Tricky Sam” Nanton – trombone; Johnny Hodges, Barney Bigard, Harry Carney – reeds; Duke Ellington – piano; Freddy Guy – banjo; Wellman Braud – bass; Sonny Greer – drums.
Jeep’s Blues (CD: “The Duke’s Men, Volume 2” Columbia Jazz Masterpieces C2K 48835)
Recorded 28 March 1938, New York City
Cootie Williams – trumpet; Lawrence Brown – trombone; Johnny Hodges, Otto Hardwicke, Harry Carney – reeds; Duke Ellington – piano; Billy Taylor – bass; Sonny Greer – drums.
The Jeep Is Jumpin’
Recorded 24 August 1938, New York City
Same personnel as “Jeep’s Blues”
Ridin’ on a Blue Note (CD: “Cotton Club 1938, Volume 1” Galaxy Music 3801122)
Recorded 1 May 1938, New York City
Wallace Jones, Cootie Williams, Rex Stewart – trumpet; Lawrence Brown, Joe Nanton, Juan Tizol – trombone; Barney Bigard, Johnny Hodges, Otto Hardwicke, Harry Carney – reeds; Duke Ellington – piano; Fred Guy – guitar; Billy Taylor – bass; Sonny Greer – drums.
On the Sunny Side of the Street (CD: “The Complete Lionel Hampton Victor Sessions 1937-1941” Mosaic Records MD5-238)
Recorded 26 April 1937, New York City
Lionel Hampton – vibraphone, vocal; Buster Bailey – clarinet; Johnny Hodges – alto sax; Jess Stacy – piano; Allan Reuss -guitar; John Kirby – bass; Cozy Cole -drums.
On the Sunny Side of the Street (LP: “Indiana Live Session, June 1945” Musidisc – JA 5135)
Recorded 16 June 1945, Evansville, Indiana
Cat Anderson, Ray Nance, Rex Stewart, Shelton Hemphill, Taft Jordan – trumpet; Claude Jones, Joe Nanton, Lawrence Brown – trombone; Johnny Hodges, Otto Hardwicke, Jimmy Hamilton, Al Sears, Harry Carney – reeds; Duke Ellington – piano; Fred Guy – guitar; Junior Raglin – bass; Sonny Greer – drums.
(CD: “Highlights of the Great 1940-1942 Band” Avid AMSC1143)
Blue Goose
Recorded 28 May 1940, Chicago
Wallace Jones, Cootie Williams, Rex Stewart – trumpet; Lawrence Brown, Joe Nanton, Juan Tizol – trombone; Otto Hardwicke, Johnny Hodges, Barney Bigard, Ben Webster, Harry Carney – reeds; Duke Ellington – piano; Fred Guy – guitar; Jimmie Blanton – bass; Sonny Greer – drums.
In A Mellotone
Recorded 5 September 1940, Chicago
Same personnel as “Blue Goose”
The Giddybug Gallop
Recorded 5 June 1941, Los Angeles
Same personnel as “Blue Goose” except Ray Nance replaces Cootie Williams
Mood to be Woo’ed (CD: “Duke Ellington And His Orchestra – 1943 & 1945 Volume Three” Circle – CCD-103)
Recorded 2 January 1945, New York City
Cat Anderson, Ray Nance, Rex Stewart, Shelton Hemphill, Taft Jordan – trumpet; Claude Jones, Joe Nanton, Lawrence Brown – trombone; Johnny Hodges, Otto Hardwicke, Jimmy Hamilton, Al Sears, Harry Carney – reeds; Duke Ellington – piano; Fred Guy – guitar; Junior Raglin – bass; Sonny Greer – drums.
Castle Rock (CD: “Johnny Hodges – Seven Classic Albums” Real Gone – RGJCD312)
Recorded 3 March 1951, New York City
Emmett Berry – trumpet; Lawrence Brown – trombone; Johnny Hodges – alto sax; Al Sears – tenor sax; Leroy Lovett – piano; Lloyd Trotman – bass; Sonny Greer – drums.
In A Mellow Tone (CD: John Coltrane “First Giant Steps” RLR Records, RLR 88619)
Recorded June 1954, Los Angeles
Johnny Hodges – alto sax; Harold “Shorty” Baker – trumpet; Lawrence Brown – trombone; John Coltrane – tenor sax; Cal Cobbs (?) – piano; Joe Williams – bass; Joe Marshall – drums.
What is this Thing Called Love (CD: Charlie Parker “Jam Session” Verve Records – 833 564-2)
Recorded July 1952, Los Angeles
Charlie Shavers – trumpet; Johnny Hodges, Benny Carter, Charlie Parker – alto sax; Ben Webster, Flip Phillips – tenor sax; Oscar Peterson – piano; Barney Kessell – guitar; Ray Brown – bass; J. C. Heard – drums.
— Our closing music —-
It’s Something You Ought To Know (Paul Gonsalves – “Ellingtonia Moods and Blues,” RCA Victor / RCA63562)
Recorded 29 February 1960, New York City
Paul Gonsalves- tenor sax; Johnny Hodges – alto sax; Ray Nance – cornet; Mitchell “Booty” Wood – trombone; Jimmy Jones – piano; Al Hall – bass; Oliver Jackson – drums.
Ellington Reflections 