Johnny Hodges, considered by Jazz experts and musicians alike, to be the best alto saxophonist ever. He was a pioneer and there will never anyone like him. I looked through many of his biographies and found this one to be the best one:
John Cornelius Hodges was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts on July 25, 1907. His family later moved to Hammond Street in Boston. Hodges played both piano and drums as a child before taking up saxophone at age 13. A few days after he acquired a soprano saxophone, Hodges forced an opportunity to meet Sidney Bechet backstage at a burlesque house in Boston. Bechet heard Hodges play “My Honey’s Lovin’ Arms,” and encouraged the young saxophonist. Soon after, Hodges acquired an alto sax, which he preferred to the soprano. He experimented on his own, and took lessons sporadically for several years due to lack of funds. After he encountered Bechet a second time, Hodges’s interest in the soprano saxophone was rekindled and Bechet’s respect for Hodges’s talent was renewed. Hodges studied and worked with Bechet and eventually performed as a warm-up to Bechet’s act at Club Bechet in New York City. The young and talented Hodges also shared the spotlight with Bechet as they performed duets. Hodges, who emulated Bechet’s style, continued his association with Bechet later when the two appeared separately but on the same bill at the Rhythm Club in 1924 and together again at Club Basha in 1925. Hodges also studied with the late Benny Waters for a time before joining forces with Ellington. Waters and Hodges played in a band together around 1920 in Boston, at a time when Waters taught saxophone in between gigs and radio shows. Waters recalled Hodges as a truly natural talent on the saxophone….Read More
Jazz and Classic Cuban Music, Afro Cuban, Bossa Nova, Brazilian Jazz
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