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James Moody, Jazz Saxophonist and Flutist, Dead at 85

Jesse Grant, WireImage

James Moody, the outsized jazz saxophonist and flutist best known for his recorded performance of 'I'm in the Mood for Love,' died Friday, Dec. 10 following a battle with pancreatic cancer. According to the New York Times, the 85-year-old passed away in a hospice in San Diego.

Moody was one of the last in the lineage that can be traced back to the founding fathers of bebop. He was born in Georgia in 1925 and grew up in New Jersey. Despite significant hearing problems, he turned to music, picking up the saxophone at 16 and playing in the Air Force band during World War II. He joined Dizzy Gillespie's band shortly after being discharged in 1946, and began a lifelong friendship with the famed trumpeter.

For several years Moody worked diligently to establish himself as a household name, releasing 11 records between 1955 and 1969. He only had limited success fronting his own bands, however, and in the ensuing decades he returned to collaborations, working with several luminaries including Gillespie and Kenny Barron. While his career path was at times tumultuous, delayed by bouts of drinking and years of working for hotel orchestras in Las Vegas, Moody -- who was always known by his last name -- was a consistently amiable personality always ready with a hug and a joke. He was a constant and versatile musical explorer who could play effortlessly in a seemingly innumerable amount of forms.

"Over the years, Moody has become so free -- not in a random fashion, but a scientific freedom -- that he can do anything he wants with the saxophone," fellow saxophonist Jimmy Heath once told Downbeat magazine. "He has true knowledge. He is in complete control."

Moody's recognitions include the prestigious Jazz Master fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts, and one of his records, 'Moody's Mood for Love,' released in 1956, was entered into the Grammy Hall of Fame.

Moody is survived by his wife of 21 years, Linda, and three sons. Funeral arrangements have not been announced.

James Moody Performs 'Cherokee

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9 Comments

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kozy

A leagen in his on time and forever.May God bless him he does'nt have to suffer anymore.

December 11 2010 at 3:51 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Steve Wilks

Saw him play at the Aberystwyth Jazz Festival in Wales. 1984, I believe. (George Melly came along to watch, but didn't play himself.) He was all the things mentioned in the report above and had a really good rapport with the audience. He also came over to Thailand a few years back to play for HM the King. So was also able to see him interviewed on local TV. Yes, a good raconteur too!

December 11 2010 at 6:05 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
BENJAMIN

So long to a wonderful man who can swing and play bop or any idiom in jazz,A true Jazz story teller on his tenor sax,I will remember Mr Moody

December 11 2010 at 5:28 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
kachina321

AS WE ALL GET OLDER WE ARE LOSING MORE AND MORE TALENTED
ENTERTAINERS. NOT ONLY ARE WE LOSING THEM WE ARE LOSING OUR VETERANS WHO GAVE US OUR FREEDOM WE HAVE TODAY. ALL THIS IS VERY DISHEARTINING. WE LOST A GREAT HORN MAN IN LOSING MR. MOODY. GOD NEEDED A GREAT HORN MAN AND HE NOW HAS ANOTHER ONE. R.I.P J. MOODY YOU WILL BE MISSED.

December 11 2010 at 1:40 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Bruce Blumenthal

"MOODY'S MOOD FOR LOVE"

There I go, there I go, there I go, there I go, theeere I goooooo

Prettybabyyou'retheonethatSNAPS my CONtrol.......

RIP Big Man!

December 11 2010 at 12:52 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Toad

The first I've heard of this man. To bad it's his end. Will definitely get to know his work now.

December 11 2010 at 12:36 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
MRBIGDAVE51

THANK YOU Mr. Moody for all the amzing years of listening lessons you gave the rest of us saxophone playing folks. You were an absolute genious and gentile loving person in every sense of the word. Not a week has gone by since at least 1973 that some of your grand music wasn't played in my house. And true pity on the crap-bags and low life forms that need to post their garbage spam on here at your passing.

December 10 2010 at 11:11 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
D U P I N

Got to meet him a few years back. A great guy, and a wonderful improviser. Thanks for reporting on his passing. He will be missed.

December 10 2010 at 8:48 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Rick

This man was one of the greatest ever.
I was just listening to his in the mood cut and comparing how King Pleasure managed to copy every note with his voice. Moody influenced many artists like him and just spread this groove to so many musicians..He will be missed RIP James Moody

December 10 2010 at 8:12 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply