10 Interesting Facts about J.J. Johnson
- Family with Strict Religious Traditions. J.J. Johnson’s family attended church every Sunday, so he and his siblings were expected to follow this tradition and join the Baptist church as well.
- First Steps Toward a Musical Career. He began his musical journey by learning the piano. At school, he also played the baritone saxophone and later, when he was 14, he joined the classmates’ band as a trombonist.
- Early Inspirations. J.J. Johnson admired such musicians as tenor saxophonist Lester Young, as well as Dickie Wells, Trummy Young and J.C. Higginbotham.
- A Member of Benny Carter’s Band. He worked as a trombonist and staff arranger in saxophonist Benny Carter’s band, with whom he had an extended tour, and was featured as a soloist on Carter’s album Love for Sale released in 1943.
- Fast Playing Style. J.J. Johnson was known for his skills to play melodic lines on a trombone at rapid speed. Having heard his ability to do that in 1946, Dizzy Gillespie encouraged him to dwell into the bebop movement.
- Collaboration with Jazz Greats. The musician recorded music with Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, John Lewis, Illinois Jacquet, Babs Gonzales. He also participated in sessions of Miles Davis and Gil Evans.
- Heroin Addiction. Although Johnson had never been a full-blown addict, he was greatly absorbed into the heroin use, which affected his lifestyle. This led him to leave music in August 1952. During that period, he recorded only for small groups and worked as a blueprint inspector for Sperry Gyroscope.
- Struggles with Finding Steady Work in New York’s Jazz Scene. J.J. Johnson lost his cabaret card, and as a result, he couldn’t perform in the city’s most prominent nightclubs. He struggled with this challenge for around twelve years.
- Significant Record Via Blue Note. His two-LP set The Eminent Jay Jay Johnson, including his composition “Turnpike”, is considered a kind of audio textbook for jazz trombone players.
- Notable Career Moments. His collaboration with trombonist Kai Winding became of one of the most pivotal moments in his professional life. Together, they made nine successful recordings
Thank you for reading until the end of this article on J.J. Johnson, a true legend of jazz trombone. We hope you enjoyed learning about his journey from his early inspirations to his collaborations with jazz greats and his challenges along the way.
If you're a trombonist or a fan of brass instruments, don’t forget to check out our high-quality leather accessories for trombone players, such as Trombone Hand and Neck Guards, Mouthpiece Pouches, and Plunger Mutes. These are designed for durability, style, and functionality, making them perfect for both professionals and students.
If you're a trombonist or a fan of brass instruments, don’t forget to check out our high-quality leather accessories for trombone players, such as Trombone Hand and Neck Guards, Mouthpiece Pouches, and Plunger Mutes. These are designed for durability, style, and functionality, making them perfect for both professionals and students.
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