2004 Grammy Award winner Wayne Johnson joined Manhattan Transfer’s pop/jazz vocal band, Manhattan Transfer, following his studies at Berklee College of Music in late 1970’s. Wayne has been taking a lot of time off the gig since then to pursue his solo interests. Since the late 1970’s, Wayne’s “Trio” has been performing and recording with … Read more
Alphonso started out as a horn player but would later switch to the bass when he was in his twenties. Alphonso began his career in the early Seventies as an electric bassist. He was one of the few electric bassists who showed innovation and fluidity when playing the electric bass. After sessioning with some jazz … Read more
Albert J. Johnson (born December 14, 1910, Dallas, Texas; passed away October 20, 1984, Kansas City, Missouri) is a jazz saxophonist, clarinetist, and writer best known for his work as a “behind the scenes player” and writer. His common name is “Budd” Johnson. He started out playing drums and piano, before moving to the tenor … Read more
Willie Gary Johnson “Bunk”, ca. 1879-1889, July 7, 1949) was an early New Orleans jazz trumpet player who enjoyed a resurgent career in the 1940s. Bunk listed his year of birth as 1879. However, there are rumors that he could have been as young as a decade. Text contributed by users is available under Creative … Read more
Charlie Johnson was a decent pianist, but rarely soloed. He is most famous for leading his Paradise Ten orchestra, which had five great recording sessions between 1925-1929 and played at Smalls Paradise from 1925-1935. Johnson’s sidemen include Jabbo Smith, Thomas Morris and Leonard Davis; the trombonists Charlie Irvis, Jimmy Harrison, and altoists Benny Carter, who … Read more
Marc Johnson, born October 21, 1953, is an American jazz musician, composer, and band leader. Johnson was born in Omaha in Nebraska in 1953 and grew up in Texas. Johnson was 19 when he began working as a professional musician with the Fort Worth Symphony. While at the University of North Texas, he also played … Read more
Dexter Johnson, a Nigerian saxophonist, was born in Nigeria and came to Dakar via Bamako.
Ellen Johnson is a modern Renaissance woman who enjoys developing her talents as a singer, lyricist and songwriter, producer. She also enjoys acting, poetry, promotion, sound energy facilitator, entrepreneur, promoter and creative consultant. She has been devoted to music and the arts for forty years. This includes a career as a professional singer and actor, … Read more
Freddy Johnson was a great swing-based pianist during the 1930s. His peak years were spent in Europe. Elmer Snowden (1925), and Noble Sissle were his collaborators. He first visited Europe in 1928, along with Sam Wooding. He moved to Paris in 1929 and started his own band. Arthur Briggs recorded during 1933-1934. Johnson performed with … Read more
Gabriel Johnson was born in Santa Clara in California in 1980. He grew up in Salinas in California. His grandmother was his biggest musical inspiration. She taught him early on the importance of jazz and the arts. She was the one that told me to see Dizzy perform at the Monterey Jazz Festival in 1989. … Read more
