James Moody has made his saxaphone sing for the enjoyment of thousands, if not millions, of people for over sixty years. On March 22, the La Jolla Music Society is sponsoring a concert by James Moody in La Jolla.

James Moody took up the alto sax, a gift from his uncle, at the age of 16. Within a few years he fell under the spell of the deeper more full-bodied tenor saxophone after hearing Buddy Tate and Don Byas perform with the Count Basie Band at the Adams Theater in Newark, New Jersey. World War II interupted his music as he served his country in the U.S. Air Force. In 1946, after returning to civilian life James began playing with Dizzy Gillespie and found a home on the world stage. It was during these years that he was able to develope his exceptional improvisational style with the encouragement and mentorship of such greats as Milt Jackson, Kenny Clark, Ray Brown, Thelonius Monk. The music world took notice of the budding star after hearing his now legendary 16-bar solo on Gillespie's Emanon. In 1949 James Moody made his recording debut as a leader James Moody and His Bop Men. In 1949, James moved to Europe where he recorded his masterpiece of improvisation - Moody's Mood for Love. Returning to the states in 1952 James Moody has played with and for the greatest jazz musicians of his time. To quote Peter Watrous of the New York Times, "As a musical explorer, performer, collaborator and composer he has made an indelible contribution to the rise of American music as the dominant musical force of the twentieth century." La Jolla is offering a very special night of music with the La Jolla Music Society's James Moody concert. This is definatley a Don't Miss occasion.