George V Johnson Jr  

 

GIANT STEPS

King Pleasure - I'm In The Mood For Love

Moody's Mood for Love Count Basie at Carnegie Hall 1981, featuring The Divine One Ms Sarah Vaughan and George Benson

George Benson - Moody's Mood

James Moody: August 2008 Blackademics Interview

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.

Dizzy Gillespie All Stars - Official Website

 

 

YouTube - Dizzy Gillespie Big Band 1947 groovy man

YouTube - Dizzy Gillespie - "Salt Peanuts" - 1947

Upon joining Gillespie, Moody was at first awed, he now admits, by the orchestra's incredible array of talent, which included



Milt Jackson - Bag's Groove



Kenny Clark,
Drums Kenny Clarke.wmv



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. Read more

Eddie Jefferson Live at the Jazz Showcas with Richie Cole

 

 

EDDIE JEFFERSON



JAMES MOODY, TODD COOLMAN & VOCALESE MASTER
JON HENDRICKS

Lambert Hendricks & Ross (1959)

The Incomparable LAMBERT HENDRICKS & ROSS !! - Every Day I








James Moody & George V Johnson Jr
Harold Mabern, Todd Coolman, Eddie Gladden
and the Heath Brothers perform @ Sweet Basil
Live WBGO New Years 1985 Coast to Coast Broadcast



George V Johnson Jr & James Moody
1985 JazzMobile @ Grants Tomb, NYC

George V Johnson Jr - Story about James Moody

George V Johnson Jr "My Little Suede Shoes" with Larry Riddley &