James Moody

Who was James Moody?

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 shows, he came into contact with the famous harmonica soloist Tommy Reilly. This association inspired him to arrange and compose for the harmonica.