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Johnny Hodges

Alto saxophonist and clarinetist Johnny Hodges – born on July 25, 1907, in Cambridge, Massachusetts – was best known as a long-time member of Duke Ellington’s big band as well as a solo artist in his own right. He first studied percussion and piano before moving to Boston and discovering the saxophone through his interactions with sax players Harry Carney, Howard E. Johnson, and Charlie Holmes. Teaching himself the saxophone, he began playing at home gatherings and local clubs, earning the nickname ‘The Rabbit.’ After seeing saxophonist Sidney Bechet live and playing for him back...