The Pace Report: "The James Moody 100th Birthday Celebration" wsg Renee Rosnes and Jon Faddis

On May 27th, 2025 as part of the kickoff of the 2025 Blue Note Jazz Festival, the Jazz community came out to celebrate the 100th Centennial birthday of NEA Jazz Master, saxophonist, and composer James Moody. The concert was produced by Ina Dittke and Danny Kapilian and featured some of Moody's former band members and friends including Randy Brecker, Terri Lyne Carrington, Paquito D'Rivera, Elena Pinderhughes, Madeline Peyroux, Jon Faddis, Tyreek McDole, Roberta Gambarini, Todd Coolman, and. Adam Nussbaum. Pianist Renee Rosnes and bassist Christian McBride served as the music director of the program.

This centennial celebration also marked the release of Origin Records "James Moody: 80 Years Young: Live at the Blue Note" now available on iTunes and Amazon. The album was recorded in 2005 and featured special guests including Cedar Walton, Slide Hampton, Jon Faddis, Randy Brecker, and Paquito D'Rivera.

James was an iconic saxophonist, flutist, and composer who played with some of the most important musicians of his generation including trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie. While touring with Gillespie's BeBop Orchestra, Moody stayed oversees where he developed friendships with Miles Davis, Kenny Clarke, and Max Roach. "I'm In The Mood For Love" was a massive hit in the early 1950's which was changed to "Moody's Mood for Love" with lyrics written by Eddie Jefferson and became a hit for King Pleasure. Moody hired Eddie in his band before he started singing it himself where it became his signature song.

In this special edition of The Pace Report, you'll see highlights and performances of the James Moody 100th Birthday Celebration with some comments from the artists.

For more information on the James Moody Scholarship and to learn more about Moody's celebration events, please visit them online at www.JamesMoody.com

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