Mr. Moody


RIP Mr. Moody. Not many will have had a life as well lived as yours. Thanks for all the wonderful music. Today's replayed NPR interview of you talking with Terry Gross reveals what a class act you were in both your personal life and your musical life.
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Orpheus,

If you like classical as well as Jazz and want to hear that train like never before checkout Honneger's Pacific 231.
"Last Train From Overbrook" was my favorite by Mr. Moody. When I hear it, I can see that train chugging down the tracks.
I love James Moody, but I have to pass this along. I just picked up "plays Henry Mancini". Mr. Moody sings Moon River and he kind of sounds like a cross between Barry White and Elmer Fudd. "♪♫ Moon riber.... Wiber than a mile...♫.

Just saying.
James Moody was an institution in jazz from the late '40s into the 21st century, whether on tenor, flute, occasional alto, or yodeling his way through his "Moody's Mood for Love." After serving in the Air Force (1943-1946), he joined Dizzy Gillespie's bebop orchestra and began a lifelong friendship with the trumpeter. Moody toured Europe with Gillespie and then stayed overseas for several years, working with Miles Davis, Max Roach, and top European players. His 1949 recording of "I'm in the Mood for Love" became a hit in 1952 under the title of "Moody's Mood for Love" with classic vocalese lyrics written by Eddie Jefferson and a best-selling recording by King Pleasure. After returning to the U.S., Moody formed a septet that lasted for five years, recorded extensively for Prestige and Argo, took up the flute, and then from 1963-1968, was a member of Dizzy Gillespie's quintet. He worked in Las Vegas show bands during much of the 1970s before returning to jazz, playing occasionally with Gillespie, mostly working as a leader and recording with Lionel Hampton's Golden Men of Jazz. Moody, who alternated between tenor (which he preferred) and alto throughout his career, had an original sound on both horns. He was also one of the best flutists in jazz. Moody recorded as a leader for numerous labels, including Blue Note, Xanadu, Vogue, Prestige, EmArcy, Mercury, Argo, DJM, Milestone, Perception, MPS, Muse, Vanguard, and Novus. He died of complications from pancreatic cancer on December 9, 2010 in San Diego, CA. James Moody was 85 years old.

From AMG

A true giant and icon of jazz in America he will be sorely missed.
I was lucky enough to have a chance to speak with Mr. Moody after a concert at the U of Virginia 30 years ago. An incredible concert, and a even more incredible person.
Airegin,
Very well said, James Moody was a wonderful jazz musician and I will miss him. He left us great music and for that I`m grateful.
James Moody was well known in the jazz world for his greatness as a saxphonist. The song "Moody's Mood," became a jazz standard. He will be missed.