Died On This Date (December 9, 2010) James Moody / Jazz Icon

James Moody
March 26, 1925 – December 9, 2010

James Moody was an influential jazz saxophonist and flautist who is perhaps best remembered for his 1949 hit recording, “Moody’s Mood For Love.”  Moody learned to play the sax at an early age, and after his discharge from the U.S. Navy in 1946, he landed himself a two-year gig playing with Dizzy Gillespie.  Over the course of a career that spanned over an astonishing 60 years, Moody performed with the likes of Quincy JonesMiles Davis, Max Roach, and Kenny Barron to name a few.  He recorded upwards of  50 albums for such respected labels as Blue Note, Vanguard, Prestige, and Mercury.  In later years, he devoted much of his time and money to music education.  In 2010, he received a Grammy nomination for his Moody 4B album.  On December 9, 2010, James Moody died following nearly a yearlong struggle with pancreatic cancer.  He was 85.

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Moody 4B - James Moody, Kenny Barron, Todd Coolman & Lewis Nash

Died On This Date (September 2, 2008) Arne Domnerus / Swedish Jazz Great

Arne Domnerus
December 20, 1924 – September 2, 2008

As an alto saxophonist and clarinetist, Arne Domnerus was one of Sweden’s most influential jazz musicians.  Domnerus came to prominence during the ’50s, in part because he would invite American musicians who were touring in Sweden to play on his recordings.  Such collaborators included James Moody, Art Farmer and Clifford Brown.  He also performed with such greats as Clark Terry, Quincy Jones and Charlie Parker.  In declining health in recent years, Arne Domnerus passed away at the age of 83.

Thanks to Craig Rosen at Number1Albums for the assist.

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Arne Domnerus