ABSTRACT
American alto and soprano saxophonist, born John Cornelius Hodge in Cambridge, Massachusetts. He is regarded as one of the principal saxophonists of the swing era. As a child Hodges was a pianist and drummer, but he took up the saxophone at age 14. He played in Boston and New York, and in 1928 joined Duke Ellington, remaining 40 years in that partnership. He also led a small group drawn from the Ellington band, and he played with other bands from time to time. He took part in the Benny Goodman Carnegie Hall concert of 1938.
