Exploring America's Classical Music the Legendary Saxophonist "JAMES MOODY" on Blog Talk Radio Tuesday, July 28th - 5:00 PM - 7:00 ON Call in number 347-637-3988

[WASHINGTON DC JAZZ NETWORK]

THE ART OF JAZZ VOCALESE

GEORGE V JOHNSON JR
Executive Director & Founder
Washington DC Jazz Network
[e-mail]


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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).


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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.


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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 the Queen of the Blues "Dinah Washington"

and Brook Benton.


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In 1963 he rejoined Gillespie and performed off and on in the trumpeter's quintet for the remainder of the decade.


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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.

George V Johnson Jr performed with James Moody throughout the 80's.

Eddie Jefferson & George V Johnson Jr
1977 Left Bank Jazz Society. Passing the Tourch
He's "NEXT IN LINE", Next In Line!

George V & Moody @ Grants Tomb "Jazz Mobile" 1985
with Harold Mabern, Todd Coolman and Eddie Gladden
The both have remained friends and on occasion Moody invites
George up to do a song or two whenever he's in town. One of Johnson's
dreams is to someday reunite with Moody again...Stay tune...




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Moody returned to the East Coast and put together his own band again - much to the delight of his dedicated fans. In 1985, Moody received a Grammy Award Nomination for Best Jazz Instrumental Performance for his playing on Manhattan Transfer's Vocalese album thus setting the stage for his re-emergence as a major recording artist.


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Moody's 1986 (RCA/NOVUS) debut Something Special ended a decade-long major label recording hiatus for the versatile reedman. His follow-up recording, Moving Forward showcased his hearty vocals on What Do You Do and his interpretive woodwind wizardry on such tunes as Giant Steps and Autumn Leaves.


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Music is more than a livelihood to Moody, so much so that portions of Sweet and Lovely, dedicated to his wife, Linda, figured prominently in the saxophonist's wedding ceremony on April 3, 1989.

As well as being on the album, Gillespie was best man at the wedding for his longtime friend. The bride and groom walked down the aisle to Gillespie's solo on Con Alma then everyone exited the church to the vamp on Melancholy Baby. As their first act of marriage Linda and James Moody took communion accompanied by the groom's recording of Sweet and Lovely. In 1990, Moody and Gillespie received a Grammy Award Nomination for their rendition of Gillespie's Get the Booty, which showcases scatting at its best. Moody returns the soprano sax to his woodwind arsenal on Honey, his nickname for his wife, Linda, and Moody's last recording for (RCA/NOVUS).


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On March 26th, 1995 Moody got the surprise of his life with a birthday party in New York. It was an evening of historical significance for Jazz with many guest stars and Bill Cosby as the emcee. It can be heard on Telarc's recording, Moody's Party-- James Moody's 70th, Birthday Celebration, Live at the Blue Note.


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In 1995 Moody's (Warner Bros.) release of Young at Heart, was a tribute to songs that are associated with Frank Sinatra. With an orchestra and strings many people feel this is among the most beautiful of all James Moody recordings.


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Moody's last recording for Warner Bros. is Moody Plays Mancini which showcases Moody on all of his horns and flute. A tribute to the American icon Henry Mancini.


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Moody's 2004 release of Homage on the Savoy Label has been a great cause for celebration. His first new studio album in 6 years, the aptly named Homage is a tribute to Moody featuring new tunes specially written for him by the likes of Joe Zawinul, Chick Corea, Kenny Barron, Horace Silver, Herbie Hancock, David Hazeltine and Marc Copland. Bob Belden produced the project.


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Whether Moody is playing the soprano, alto, tenor, or flute, he does so with deep resonance and wit. Moody has a healthy respect for tradition, but takes great delight in discovering new musical paths, which makes him one of the most consistently expressive and enduring figures in modern jazz today. To quote Peter Watrous of the New York Times, "As a musical explorer, performer, collaborator and composer he has made an indelible contribution to the rise of American music as the dominant musical force of the twentieth century." James Moody plays on Keilwerth saxophones exclusively.





Read more

GIANT STEPS

MYSPACE

ROBERTA GAMBARINI

"Perfect pitch"

JAMES MOODY

The Heath Brothers, James Moody Quartet featuring George V Johnson Jr, Harold Mabern, Todd Coolman & Eddie Gladden. A Live New Years Celebration Broadcast Coast to Coast 1985.

At the time I was doing all the photography for WBGO and have plenty of photographs from that New Year's Eve, including photographs of you, as well as of you from a couple other performances. I will check my very database~~~Bill May

I was a conductor for New Jersey Transit at the time. About one year later I was working the train and a passenger stoped me and said he recognized my my face and voice while watching me walking through the train collecting tickets. He exclaimed are you George V Johnson Jr the jazz singer? I was always trying to keep a low profile on the train because I didn't want the company to know about my outside endeavors, but while doing my annoucements everyone would always say you should be in show business. I just smiled to myself and said if they only knew. I pointed with my finger at my mouth to the guy and said shhhhhh...not too loud..yes it's me.....well the next thing you know he said I a tape I recorded on my stereo system from a live 1985 New Years broadcast with you singing with James Moody. Two days later he gave it to me on the while working on the train. It's a perfect recording. In fact I was fortunate to perform with James Moody on over a dozen live coast to coast broadcast throughout the 80's.. We performed 3 years straight at Sweet Basils. Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers continued after us~~~GVJ




While I tell the Story about James Moody...
Opening line from the LP
"The Birdland Story"

By George V Johnson Jr.
May 5, 1995

I first met James Moody at a tribute to the late Eddie Jefferson at Carnegie Hall, NYC back in 1979. A few months early Eddie was tragically killed while leaving "Baker's Keyboard Lounge" in Detroit, Michigan. Click to read more....



EDDIE JEFFERSON
The Father of the Art of Jazz Vocalese
George V Johnson Jr!! One of my students from Washington DC. HE'S NEXT IN LINE! Next In Line!
Click the link to listen to the 16 sec. Historic sound bite

Eddie Jefferson & George V Johnson Jr 1977 Left Bank Jazz Soceity, Baltimore MD
Passing the torch. The legacy continues...

George V Johnson Jr & James Moody
August 3, 1985 Jazz Mobile, NYC
Eddie Jefferson's Birthday

THE ART OF JAZZ VOCALESE

GEORGE V JOHNSON JR
Executive Director & Founder
Washington DC Jazz Network
[e-mail]

Exploring America's Classical Music w/ Jazz Legend JIMMY HEATH "I ...

CO-HOST

LARRY RIDLEY
Executive Director
AFRICAN AMERICAN JAZZ CAUCUS
212-979-0304

"WORKING TOGETHER WORKS"