James Moody (composer)
Encyclopedia
James Moody composed a wealth of music for the classical harmonica
, including twenty-two works for harmonica and piano
, three works for harmonica and strings, eight works for harmonica and orchestra
, and some two dozen other works for instrumental combinations such as harmonica and harp
, harmonica and string quartet
, and harmonica ensemble. He has also arranged a lot of other music for harmonica, for example Irish, Scottish, English, and Norwegian folk melodies.
Moody was a gifted pianist, who, at the age of thirteen, was earning a good living playing in cinemas for silent films in his native town Belfast
.
In 1938 Moody joined BBC
Bristol as a piano soloist, accompanist, and arranger. He moved to England
, where during the next forty years he became a household name on British radio due to such long-running musical programs as "Accent on Rhythm" and "As You Were
". As accompanist and music director for many variety show
s, he came into contact with the famous harmonica soloist Tommy Reilly
. This association inspired him to arrange and compose for the harmonica.
Tommy Reilly
and James Moody have recorded many musical scores for the harmonica under the pen names Dwight Barker and Max Martin. One of such musical compilation is the LP: Conroy/Berry Music - Conroy BMLP 160 - Album Title: Conroy Recorded Music Library: Harmonica, 1976, which is a compilation of previous 78 RPM of the 1960s from Berry Music.
Harmonica
The harmonica, also called harp, French harp, blues harp, and mouth organ, is a free reed wind instrument used primarily in blues and American folk music, jazz, country, and rock and roll. It is played by blowing air into it or drawing air out by placing lips over individual holes or multiple holes...
, including twenty-two works for harmonica and piano
Piano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
, three works for harmonica and strings, eight works for harmonica and orchestra
Orchestra
An orchestra is a sizable instrumental ensemble that contains sections of string, brass, woodwind, and percussion instruments. The term orchestra derives from the Greek ορχήστρα, the name for the area in front of an ancient Greek stage reserved for the Greek chorus...
, and some two dozen other works for instrumental combinations such as harmonica and harp
Harp
The harp is a multi-stringed instrument which has the plane of its strings positioned perpendicularly to the soundboard. Organologically, it is in the general category of chordophones and has its own sub category . All harps have a neck, resonator and strings...
, harmonica and string quartet
String quartet
A string quartet is a musical ensemble of four string players – usually two violin players, a violist and a cellist – or a piece written to be performed by such a group...
, and harmonica ensemble. He has also arranged a lot of other music for harmonica, for example Irish, Scottish, English, and Norwegian folk melodies.
Moody was a gifted pianist, who, at the age of thirteen, was earning a good living playing in cinemas for silent films in his native town Belfast
Belfast
Belfast is the capital of and largest city in Northern Ireland. By population, it is the 14th biggest city in the United Kingdom and second biggest on the island of Ireland . It is the seat of the devolved government and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly...
.
In 1938 Moody joined BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
Bristol as a piano soloist, accompanist, and arranger. He moved to England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, where during the next forty years he became a household name on British radio due to such long-running musical programs as "Accent on Rhythm" and "As You Were
As You Were
As You Were may refer to:* As You Were , a 2005 folk album* "As You Were" , a 2002 television episode* "As You Were" , a 1974 television episode...
". As accompanist and music director for many variety show
Variety show
A variety show, also known as variety arts or variety entertainment, is an entertainment made up of a variety of acts, especially musical performances and sketch comedy, and normally introduced by a compère or host. Other types of acts include magic, animal and circus acts, acrobatics, juggling...
s, he came into contact with the famous harmonica soloist Tommy Reilly
Tommy Reilly
Thomas Rundle Reilly MBE was a Canadian classical harmonica player. He began studying violin at eight and began playing harmonica at aged eleven as a member of his father's band...
. This association inspired him to arrange and compose for the harmonica.
Tommy Reilly
Tommy Reilly
Thomas Rundle Reilly MBE was a Canadian classical harmonica player. He began studying violin at eight and began playing harmonica at aged eleven as a member of his father's band...
and James Moody have recorded many musical scores for the harmonica under the pen names Dwight Barker and Max Martin. One of such musical compilation is the LP: Conroy/Berry Music - Conroy BMLP 160 - Album Title: Conroy Recorded Music Library: Harmonica, 1976, which is a compilation of previous 78 RPM of the 1960s from Berry Music.
External links
- The Official Tommy Reilly Web Site http://www.tommyreilly.co.uk/