Hodes, Art(hur W.)

Hodes, Art(hur W.), jazz pianist, broadcaster, writer; b. Nikoliev (now Nikolayev), Ukraine (now Ukrainian SSR), Nov. 14, 1904; d. Harvey, III, March 4, 1993. His family moved to the U.S. when he was six months old. He went to school in Chicago. He began gigging in late teens, then toured with Dick Voynow’s Wolverines (for part of the tour the band worked under the nominal leadership of Smith Ballew). He joined Wingy Manone at Eldorado (Chicago, 1928); while with Manone made his record debut (1928). He worked mainly in Chicago through the early 1930s, played with many bands including Floyd Town’s and Frank Sny-der’s, and also led his own small groups and played solo piano at various venues. He moved to N.Y. in April 1938, gigged with Joe Marsala and Mezz Mezzrow while also leading his own bands through the 1940s. From February 1943 until November 1947, Hodes edited the fine magazine Jazz Record. He moved back to Chicago (early 1950). He continued to work as a soloist and bandleader over the coming decades, as well as undertaking tours of the U.S. and Europe. He remained in Chicago through the 1980s, and his strongly blues-influenced style ensured him much coverage and a healthy following right up to his death.

Discography

Sittin In (1944); Complete Blue Note A. H. Sessions (1944); Chicago Rhythm Kings (1953); Jazz Chicago Style (1954); Albert Nicholas (1959); Plain Old Blues (1962); Mama Yancey Sings, A. H. Plays (1965); Selections from the Gutter (1970); Someone to Watch Over Me (1981); Just the Two of Us (1981); South Side Memories (1983); Apex Blues (1983); Pagin’ Mr. Jelly (1988); Something Personal (1988); Final Sessions (1990).

—John Chilton Who’s Who of Jazz/Lewis Porter