James Moody toured in most parts of the world and made friends wherever he went. Following his death in December, the Norwegian pianist Per Husby sent the story of his encounter with Moody a couple of decades ago and the touching question Moody asked him the day after their concert. The pictures and captions below will mean more if you first read Mr. Husby’s story. It contains a link to a vocal performance by Moody that includes yodeling. Click here. Then come back to this page.
Here is Per Husby’s photographic update of that story.
The color shot is taken at Frognerseteren restaurant outside of Oslo in 1994 – just after we had finished the lunch where Moody had asked me the “do I sound old?” question.
The black and white photo was taken at the jazz festival in Molde in 1979 on the gig that produced the yodel track I posted on the net.
Here, with her permission, is Linda Moody’s note to Mr. Husby.
My sons and I have thoroughly enjoyed the clip of Moody. When we were first married Moody yodeled all the time and I had forgotten how good he was at that. Thank you so much. I think your letter has gone all over the Internet. 3 different people have sent it to me. By the way I am not half Norwegian. My Mother was born in Stavanger and my Father was born near Trondheim. We had a huge family reunion in Sandness in 1988.