"Bebop Shabam! " - April 7th, 2001
For nearly four 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 26th, 1925, and raised in Newark, NJ, 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.
In 1946, following service in the United States Air Force, Moody joined the seminal bebop big band of Dizzy Gillespie, beginning an association that 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 and 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. 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". He returned to the States in 1952 with a huge hit on his hands. After working with Eddie Jefferson, Dinah Washington and Brook Benton, Moody in 1963 rejoined Dizzy Gillespie and performed off and on in the trumpeter's quintet for the remainder of the decade.
Moody moved to Las Vegas in 1973 for a seven-year stint in the Las Vegas Hilton Orchestra, doing shows for Bill Cosby, Ann-Margret, Glen Campbell, Liberace, Elvis Presley, Redd Foxx, The Osmonds and Lou Rawls, to name a few. Moody returned to the East Coast and put together his own band again. In 1985, Moody received a Grammy nomination for Best Jazz Instrumental Performance for his playing on the Manhattan Transfer's "Vocalese" album. He ended a decade-long major label recording hiatus with his "Something Special" album. He followed that up with "Moving Forward", which showcased his hearty vocals on the tune "What Do You Do". In 1995, Moody released "Young at Heart" - a tribute to songs associated with Frank Sinatra. He soon did the same with Henry Mancini tunes with the "Moody Plays Mancini" CD in 1997.
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.
For more on James Moody, check out his website.
