James Moody (saxophonist)

James Moody (March 26, 1925 – December 9, 2010) was an American jazz saxophone and flute player and occasional vocalist, playing predominantly in the bebop and hard bop styles.

Moody had an unexpected hit with "Moody's Mood for Love," a 1952 song written by Eddie Jefferson which used as its melody an improvised solo that Moody had played on a 1949 recording of "I'm in the Mood for Love". Moody adopted the song as his own, recording it with Jefferson on his 1956 album Moody's Mood for Love and performing the song regularly in concert, often singing the vocals himself.

Early life

James Moody was born in Savannah, Georgia, and was raised by his (single) mother, Ruby Hann Moody Watters. He had a brother, Louis. Growing up in New Jersey, he was attracted to the saxophone after hearing George Holmes Tate, Don Byas, and various saxophonists who played with Count Basie, and later also took up the flute.

Career

Moody joined the US Army Air Corps in 1943 and played in the "negro band" on the segregated base. Following his discharge from the military in 1946 he played bebop with Dizzy Gillespie for two years. Moody later played with Gillespie in 1964, where his colleagues in the Gillespie group, pianist Kenny Barron and guitarist Les Spann, would be musical collaborators in the coming decades.

James Moody

James Moody may refer to:

See also

James Moody (composer)

James Moody (1907–1995) composed a wealth of music for the classical harmonica, including twenty-two works for harmonica and piano, three works for harmonica and strings, eight works for harmonica and orchestra, and some two dozen other works for instrumental combinations such as harmonica and harp, harmonica and string quartet, and harmonica ensemble. He has also arranged a lot of other music for harmonica, for example Irish, Scottish, English, and Norwegian folk melodies.

Moody was a gifted pianist, who, at the age of thirteen, was earning a good living playing in cinemas for silent films in his native town Belfast.

In 1938 Moody joined BBC Bristol as a piano soloist, accompanist, and arranger. He moved to England, where during the next forty years he became a household name on British radio due to such long-running musical programs as "Accent on Rhythm" and "As You Were". As accompanist and music director for many variety shows, he came into contact with the famous harmonica soloist Tommy Reilly. This association inspired him to arrange and compose for the harmonica.

James Moody (loyalist)

James Moody (ca 1744 – April 6, 1809) was a loyalist volunteer during the American Revolution who became a farmer and political figure in Nova Scotia. He represented Annapolis County in the Nova Scotia House of Assembly from 1793 to 1806.

He was born in Little Egg Harbor, New Jersey, on January 1, 1744, the son of John Moody. His first wife was Elizabeth Brittain. James and Elizabeth had three children including a son John born 6 March 1768 and a daughter Maria born on 28 February 1775. Records for the other child have been lost. His father-in-law was an outspoken Loyalist.

By 1777, James and his family were living on a 500-acre farm owned in his father's name, but for his use. On Sunday, March 28, 1777, a Patriot militia came to his house to arrest him because he refused to give up his allegiance to Britain and swear loyalty to the United States. Shots were fired, but he managed to escape. In April 1777, he joined the New Jersey Volunteers under the command of General Cortlandt Skinner.