Johnny Hodges was a renowned American alto saxophonist celebrated for his expressive solos and long-time role as lead alto with Duke Ellington’s big band. Emerging from Boston’s jazz scene, he later played with musicians like Sidney Bechet and Chick Webb in New York. Hodges joined Ellington’s orchestra in 1928, quickly becoming one of its signature sounds. He is regarded, alongside Benny Carter, as one of the defining alto saxophonists of the big band era. From 1951 to 1955, Hodges led his own group before rejoining Ellington for the orchestra’s landmark performance at the 1956 Newport Jazz Festival.