Johnny Dodds (/ˈdɒts/; April 12, 1892 – August 8, 1940)[2] was an American jazz clarinetist and alto saxophonist based in New Orleans, best known for his recordings under his own name and with bands such as those of Joe "King" Oliver, Jelly Roll Morton, Lovie Austin and Louis Armstrong.

[5] He was the premier clarinetist of his era and, in recognition of his artistic contributions, he was posthumously inducted into the Jazz Hall of Fame.

[3] His father and uncle were violinists, his sister played a melodeon, and in adolescence Johnny sang high tenor in the family quartet.

[2] According to legend, his instrumental skill began with a toy flute which had been purchased for his brother, Warren "Baby" Dodds.

After the breakup of Oliver's band in 1924, Dodds replaced Alcide Nunez as the house clarinetist and bandleader of Kelly's Stables.

He became a big star on the Chicago jazz scene of the 1920s, but his career precipitously declined with the Great Depression.

On August 8, 1940, Dodds died of a stroke in his Chicago home[14] and was buried at Lincoln Cemetery in Blue Island, Illinois.