Johnny Hodges

Johnny Hodges was an American alto saxophonist known for his long association with Duke Ellington's orchestra. He was known for a warm, silky tone, lyrical, blues-inflected phrasing, and a distinctive use of vibrato and glissando. Hodges frequently featured on ballads and led small groups outside the big band, and his smooth, melodic approach helped define the alto saxophone voice in the swing era. He died in 1970.