Arthur W. Hodes (Ukrainian: Артур Гоудс; November 14, 1904 – March 4, 1993),[1] was a Russian Empire-born American jazz and blues pianist. He is regarded by many critics as the greatest white blues pianist.[2]
Hodes was born in Mykolaiv, in present-day Ukraine.[1] His family settled in Chicago, Illinois, when he was a few months old. His career began in Chicago clubs, but he did not gain wider attention until moving to New York City in 1938. In New York, he played with Sidney Bechet, Joe Marsala, and Mezz Mezzrow.[1]
Later, Hodes founded his own band in the 1940s and it would be associated with his hometown of Chicago. He and his band played mostly in that area for the next forty years.[1] In the late 1960s, Hodes starred in a series of TV shows on Chicago style jazz called Jazz Alley,[1] where he appeared with musicians such as Pee Wee Russell and Jimmy McPartland. Episodes of the show have been released on DVD.[citation needed]
Hodes was editor of the magazine, The Jazz Record, for five years in the 1940s.[3]
He remained an educator and writer in jazz.[1] During this period of his life and into the 1970s, Hodes resided in south suburban Park Forest, Illinois.[citation needed]
He toured the UK in 1987, recording with drummer John Petters. In 1988, he visited Ireland to appear at the Cork Jazz Festival with Petters and Wild Bill Davison. A tour, the Legends of American Dixieland, followed in May 1989 with the same line-up.[citation needed]
Ethan Iverson wrote an article on Hodes, "Selections from the Gutter", which includes a transcription of Hodes's first 78, "Ross Tavern Boogie".[citation needed]
Bebop? Avant-garde? Yeah, I heard of them. I also heard of these kids called the Bright Brothers – Wright Brothers? – who claim they can make you fly. It'll never catch on, none of it.
With Barney Bigard (clarinet and co-leader), Rail Wilson (bass), Barrett Deems (drums) - Nap Trottier (trumpet) and George Brunis (trombone) on some tracks
With Trevor Whiting (reeds), John Petters (drums), Dave Bennett (vocals)[7]
1987
Art Hodes Trio
Jazzology
Trio, with Reimer Von Essen (clarinet, alto sax), Trevor Richards (drums)[7]
1987
Art Hodes Blue Five and Six
Jazzology
With Al Fairweather and Pat Halcox (trumpet), Wally Fawkes (clarinet), Fapy Lafertin (guitar), Andy Brown (bass), Dave Evans and Stan Greig (drums), Johnny Mars (vocals)[7]
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