Johnny Hodges

John Cornelius "Johnny" Hodges (b. July 25, 1906 in Cambridge, Massachusetts, d. May 11, 1970 in New York City) was an alto saxophonist and lead man for Duke Ellington's saxophone section

John Cornelius "Johnny" Hodges (b. July 25, 1906 in Cambridge, Massachusetts, d. May 11, 1970 in New York City) was an alto saxophonist and lead man for Duke Ellington's saxophone section. He spent more than 40 years with Ellington.

Hodges was mostly self-taught, although he did take lessons on soprano sax with Sidney Bechet. He had the nicknames Rabbit and Jeep. Ellington's practice of writing tunes specifically for members of his orchestra is reflected in the Hodges specialties, "Confab with Rab", "Jeep's Blues", and "Hodge Podge".