Jazz legend James Moody battling cancer A national treasure, the saxophone great is resting peacefully at his San Diego home

[WASHINGTON DC JAZZ NETWORK]

Keep JAMES MOODY in your prayers!

BY GEORGE VARGA ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED NOVEMBER 2, 2010 AT 12:30 P.M., UPDATED NOVEMBER 2, 2010 AT 4:42 P.M.

K.C. ALFRED
Feb. 26, 2010,-San Diego CA,- Jazz sax legend James Moody will turn 85 this month, shown here at his San Diego home on Feb. 26, 2010. Mandatory Photo Credit:K.C. ALFRED/Union-Tribune/ZUMA press

Jazz saxophone legend James Moody, a San Diego resident for the past 21 years, has disclosed that he has had pancreatic cancer since at least February -- and that he had decided not to receive any chemo therapy or radiation treatment.

At his behest, Moody’s condition was previously only shared with family members and some of his most trusted confidantes in the music world. Moody, 85, and his wife, Linda, decided to inform their friends and his fans of his condition in an e-mail letter she sent out earlier this morning.

“He and I agreed, after discussing it at length, that it was time to let people know about his situation,” Linda Moody said, speaking by phone from the San Carlos home she and her husband have shared since they got married here in 1989.

A 1998 recipient of the National Endowment for the Arts' prestigious Jazz Master Award, Moody has performed three times at the White House and has been internationally hailed as one of the jazz world’s great musicians for more than 50 years.

“He’s about the music — all the time,” Pulitzer Prize-winning jazz trumpeter Wynton Marsalis said in an April Union-Tribune interview. “I’ve worked with Moody a lot and he’s just impeccable, his musicianship, his soul, his humor. He’s a titan of our music and I love him.”

Moody, who is under medication, was sleeping this morning and not available for comment. He underwent surgery on Feb. 28 at UCSD Thornton Hospital to have his pancreatic cancer tumor resected, but this proved impossible without endangering his life. His gall bladder was removed and a double bypass was performed on his digestive system to remove blockage.

“We decided to let people know about his condition now, mainly because I felt he should feel the love from people around the world whose lives he has touched,” said Linda Moody, who invited fans to e-mail her husband at: [e-mail].

When not asleep or resting, Moody still plays his tenor saxophone and flute several times a week for varying lengths of time, depending on his energy level. He also enjoys listening to music and watching his favorite TV show, “Dancing with the Stars,” with his wife, a San Diego Realtor.

“He’s comfortable and very peaceful and happy,” she said.

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EDDIE JEFFERSON

The Father of the Art of Jazz Vocalese

One of my students from Washington DC, George V Johnson Jr, He's Next In Line! Next In Line!

James Moody & George V Johnson Jr

Executive Director & Founder

Washington DC Jazz Network

240.694.7560

Moody’s status as a saxophone giant and a jazz icon dates back to 1949 and his classic recording of “Moody’s Mood for Love.” A dazzling reinvention of the 1935 song, “I’m in the Mood for Love,” it showcased his melodic and harmonic ingenuity on the alto saxophone.

Intriguingly, it was an instrument Moody had rarely played before that now-famous recording took place in Sweden, during his three-year European sojourn.

“Moody’s Mood for Love” features what remains one of the most heralded sax solos in jazz history. That solo by Moody in turn inspired a vocal version by jazz singer Eddie Jefferson in 1952, followed by singer King Pleasure’s hit pop vocal version in 1954.

In 2001 “Moody’s Mood for Love” was elected into the Grammy Awards’ Hall of Fame. Hailed by Bill Cosby, a longtime Moody friend, as “a national anthem,” the song has been Moody’s musical trademark for the past 61 years. An international hit that has never gone out of style, “Moody’s Mood for Love” has been recorded numerous times by artists as varied as Aretha Franklin, Van Morrison, George Benson, Queen Latifah, Amy Winehouse, Rod Stewart and 2006 “American Idol” contestant Elliott Yamin.

During a 2005 Union-Tribune interview to preview her performance here at Humphrey’s Concerts by the Bay, soul music queen Franklin brightened notably upon learning her Moody – one of her longtime idols -- resided in the area.

"Does James Moody live in San Diego? The famous James Moody! I would love to meet him," Franklin said during that interview.

She then added: "I wonder if he would come to the concert and sing `Moody's Mood for Love?' And I would sing it with him. I've never, ever met him. And I would absolutely love to."

Their unrehearsed duet of the song on stage at Humphrey’s was a highlight of the concert for Franklin, who laughed with delight when Moody launched into a darting scat vocal line so ebullient and intricate that even she couldn’t match it./div>

Moody’s most recent album, “4B,” was released just this summer.

Moody regularly performed concerts around the world until late last year. He was in typically robust and spirited form during a Union-Tribune interview early this year at his San Carlos home, where he spoke thoughtfully about his lifelong dedication to jazz and the saxophone. “With any instrument, you never get it all. But you try to get as much as you can,” he said.
“That’s why music is infinite. When I say it’s good to always practice, it doesn’t mean playing something you know. You practice what you don’t know. The point is, you have to find out what you don’t know.

For over six decades, saxophone master James Moody has serenaded lovers with his signature song Moody's Mood for Love an improvisation on the chord progressions of I'm in the Mood for Love.

Born in Savannah, Georgia on March 26, 1925, and raised in Newark, New Jersey, James Moody took up the alto sax, a gift from his uncle, at the age of 16. Within a few years he fell under the spell of the deeper more full-bodied tenor saxophone after hearing Buddy Tate and Don Byas perform with the Count Basie Band at the Adams Theater in Newark, New Jersey.

In 1946, following service in the United States Air Force, Moody joined the seminal bebop big band of Dizzy Gillespie, beginning an association that - on stage and record, in orchestras and small combos - afforded a young Moody worldwide exposure and ample opportunity to shape his improvisational genius. Upon joining Gillespie, Moody was at first awed, he now admits, by the orchestra's incredible array of talent, which included Milt Jackson, Kenny Clark, Ray Brown, Thelonius Monk. The encouragement of the legendary trumpeter-leader, made his mark on the young saxophonist. His now legendary 16-bar solo on Gillespie's Emanon alerted jazz fans to an emerging world-class soloist.

During his initial stay with Gillespie, Moody also recorded with Milt Jackson for Dial Records in 1947. One year later he made his recording debut as a leader James Moody and His Bop Men for (Blue Note).

Exploring America's Classical Music "Jazz" with the legendary saxophonist James Moody. For over six decades, saxophone master James Moody has serenaded lovers with his signature song Moody's Mood for Love an improvisation on the chord progressions of I'm in the Mood for Love. In 1946, following service in the United States Air Force, Moody joined the seminal bebop big band of Dizzy Gillespie, beginning an association that - on stage and record, in orchestras and small combos - afforded a young Moody worldwide exposure and ample opportunity to shape his improvisational genius. Upon joining Gillespie, Moody was at first awed, he now admits, by the orchestra's incredible array of talent, which included Milt Jackson, Kenny Clark, Ray Brown, Thelonius Monk. The encouragement of the legendary trumpeter-leader, made his mark on the young saxophonist. His now legendary 16-bar solo on Gillespie's Emanon alerted jazz fans to an emerging world-class soloist. During his initial stay with Gillespie, Moody also recorded with Milt Jackson for Dial Records in 1947. One year later he made his recording debut as a leader James Moody and His Bop Men for (Blue Note). In 1949 Moody moved to Europe where in Sweden he recorded the masterpiece of improvisation for which he is renowned, Moody's Mood for Love. Returning to the States in 1952 with a huge "hit" on his hands, Moody employed vocalist Eddie Jefferson. Also, working with him during that period were Dinah Washington and Brook Benton. In 1963 he rejoined Gillespie and performed off and on in the trumpeter's quintet for the remainder of the decade. Moody moved to Las Vegas in 1973 and had a seven year stint in the Las Vegas Hilton Orchestra, doing shows for Bill Cosby, Ann-Margaret, John Davidson, Glen Campbell, Liberace, Elvis Presley, The Osmonds, Milton Berle, Redd Foxx, Charlie Rich, and Lou Rawls to name a few....

Dizzy Gillespie - (born October 21, 1917, Cheraw, South Carolina; died January 6, 1993, Englewood, New Jersey)www.dizzygillespie.org

Dizzy Gillespie gave me my first job when I was 21 years old in 1946~~~JAMES MOODY

www.jamesmoody.com

Exploring America's Classical Music "Jazz"

It's legacy, heritage and roots

George V Johnson Jr

Executive Director & Founder

Washington DC Jazz Network

240.694.7560

November 1, 2010

The Washington DC Jazz Network welcomes radio personality

Director of Marketing & Advertising

Washington DC Jazz Network

[e-mail]

407.591.2281

GiGi Brooks

Radio Personality for WUCF 89.9 FM Jazz and more.... Jazz show "GG's Steamin' Greens"

Gigi Brooks has been collecting jazz records since the age of 8.

Her first radio show "Gina's Jazz" aired on WHPK 88.3 Chicago at the age of 15.

Now in its second year, her show "GG's Steamin' Greens" is the highest rated jazz radio show in the country, featuring Classic, Contemporary, and Fusion jazz artists. It is known for its eclectic playlist and feature artists. Gigi is a well respected jazz officiando among major jazz artists.

4-8 p.m. EST. Stream the show live at

www.wucf.org

from any computer, anywhere!!

Follow 'Steamin Greens' on Facebook

Introducing my new friend and dynamic vocalist Lutalo ‘Sweet Lu’ Olutosin

to the Washington DC Metropolitan area Jazz community. I highly recommend him. The brother has got it going on! Let's show "Sweet Lu' some love

by booking him at your club and festival events. You'll love his new CD

"A Tribute to Greatness"

He's waiting to hear from you

www.sweetlumusic.com

Wishing you much success!

George V Johnson Jr

XXX

October 25, 2010

I'm a member of the Washington DC Jazz Network

Lutalo ‘Sweet Lu’ Olutosin

Lutalo Olutosin [pronounced O-la-TO-sin]

Born in East Chicago, Indiana. Raised during early life in Gary, Indiana, Lutalo (Lu) moved to the South East in the mid 1970’s. Influenced heavily by a family filled with Gospel singers and musicians, he followed suit until hearing an Eddie Jefferson song on the radio. Everything changed, especially his approach to listening, judging, and singing the music that inspired him.

During a career in the US Military that was sprinkled with performances in Jazz, as well as R&B bands and musical stage productions, across the South Eastern US, he embarked on a solo career in 2002. Convinced by the respectful nods of major jazz critics and musicians attending his performances, Lu knew he had something special. As fate would reveal itself, a tremendously talented quartet of musicians agreed with Lu’s assessment and the “Sweet Lu Quintet” was formed in 2008.

Lu brings a Soulful and Dynamic energy to every song that is nothing less than hypnotically mesmerizing. While developing his own style of delivery to Jazz standards, the influences of great artist like Lambert, Hendricks and Ross, Al Jarreau and Eddie Jefferson resonate comfortably in his smooth rich multi-octave voice.

In his freshman release, Tribute To Greatness, he teams up with jazz pianist and producer Louis Heriveaux, bassist Kevin Smith, saxophonist Winfield Gaylor, and composer/arranger Henry Connerway III on drums. “We had so much fun putting this project together it was like magic….as if every note and lyric had a special significance to each one of us.”

Available for Bookings:

[e-mail]

Click here to purchase CD

"Tribute to Greatness"

Washington DC Jazz Network Artist of the Week Vocalist Lutalo ‘Swee...

[Kevin Hurst, Sr.]

On the road for decades, spreading the word of Black americans love for life and survival in 400 years of this hemisphere! Eating at so many not so good places here in the USA and maybe better ones abroad where our culture is appreciated, Dizzy contracted the same thing. If these great beings would have retired at 65 or not been on the road as much they would live forever ! Thing is they will live forever, we have to keep the culture but their legacies will always remain.- kevin huerst

[millard speas]

One of my earliest favorite tunes is Moody's Mood sung by 'King Pleasure' for that Moody has my deep gratitude.

[Anthony (Tony) Janflone]

I'm sure praying for Mr. Moody!!

[Sena aka Jeanette Sena Muhlmann]

My best wishes.
I wonder if Mr.Moody and his wife ever heard about "Healing cancer from the inside out" and about "The beautiful truth" about a doctor, Dr. Max Gerson.
The most revealing papers on his healing activities are the congressional hearings -
www.newmediaexplorer.org/chris 1946_Testimony_ocr.pdf
please read for yourself
Wonderful that they both decided to not go with chemotherapy - it would not do the trick and they know it.