J. J. Johnson facts for kids

Quick facts for kids J. J. Johnson
Background information
Birth name	James Louis Johnson
Also known as	Jay Jay Johnson
Born	(1924-01-22)January 22, 1924 Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S.
Died	February 4, 2001(2001-02-04) (aged 77) Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S.
Genres	Jazz, bebop, hard bop, third stream
Occupation(s)	Musician, composer
Instruments	Trombone
Years active	1942–1996

J. J. Johnson (born James Louis Johnson, also known as Jay Jay Johnson) was an amazing American jazz musician. He was a master of the trombone, a composer (someone who writes music), and an arranger (someone who adapts music for different instruments). Born on January 22, 1924, he became famous for playing a style of jazz called bebop. He was one of the first trombonists to play bebop music.

The Life and Music of J. J. Johnson

Early Musical Journey: From Piano to Trombone

J. J. Johnson started learning piano when he was 9 years old. By age 14, he decided to switch to the trombone. In 1941, he began his professional music career. He played with different bands, including Snookum Russell's band in 1942.

While with Russell's band, he met trumpeter Fats Navarro. Navarro inspired Johnson to play like the famous tenor saxophonist Lester Young. From 1942 to 1945, Johnson played in Benny Carter's orchestra. He made his first recordings with Carter in 1943. In 1944, he performed at the first Jazz at the Philharmonic concert. Later, in 1945, he joined Count Basie's big band and toured with them until 1946.

Becoming a Bebop Trombone Master

The trombone was very popular in dixieland and swing jazz. However, it was less common in bebop music. This was because instruments with keys and valves, like trumpets and saxophones, seemed better for bebop's fast speeds.

In 1946, Dizzy Gillespie, a co-creator of bebop, encouraged Johnson. He told Johnson that the trombone could be played differently, and that Johnson was the one to do it. After leaving Count Basie, Johnson played in small bebop bands in New York clubs. He also toured with Illinois Jacquet in 1947. During this time, he started recording his own music with groups featuring musicians like Max Roach and Bud Powell. He even played with Charlie Parker in 1947.

In 1951, Johnson toured Japan and Korea with bassist Oscar Pettiford and trumpeter Howard McGhee. After returning to the U.S., he worked a regular job as a blueprint inspector. But he never stopped thinking about music. He continued to record for Blue Note Records and with Miles Davis. Miles Davis recorded some of Johnson's songs, like "Enigma" and "Kelo." Johnson also played on the famous jazz song "Walkin'" in 1954.

The Famous "Jay and Kai" Duo

In 1954, a producer named Ozzie Cadena suggested something new. He convinced Johnson to form a group with another trombonist, Kai Winding. They called themselves the "Jay and Kai Quintet." Even though their playing styles were different, they sounded amazing together.

This duo was a huge success, both musically and commercially. They toured many nightclubs in the U.S. and recorded several albums. The "Jay and Kai" duo reunited a few times over the years. They toured the UK in 1958 and recorded more albums in the 1960s. In 1967, Johnson and Winding played with the legendary singer Sarah Vaughan. Johnson even arranged some of the songs for her album. They also performed at jazz festivals in Japan in the early 1980s.

J. J. Johnson's Solo Career

After his successful time with Kai Winding, J. J. Johnson led his own groups for about three years. He toured across the United States, the United Kingdom, and Scandinavia. His groups included talented musicians like Freddie Hubbard and Elvin Jones. In 1957, he recorded important albums like First Place and Blue Trombone. He also toured again with the Jazz at the Philharmonic show.

Johnson also started exploring a new style of music called Third Stream. This style combined elements of classical music with jazz.

In 1962, Johnson toured with Miles Davis's sextet. His 1963 album J.J.'s Broadway showed off his amazing trombone playing and arranging skills. His 1964 album Proof Positive was the last recording with his regular band for over 20 years. In the late 1960s, Johnson mostly played on big band studio recordings, often backing other solo artists.

J. J. Johnson: The Composer

From the mid-1950s, J. J. Johnson spent more and more time writing music. He became an important part of the Third Stream movement in jazz. He wrote large pieces that mixed classical music and jazz. For example, he composed "Poem for Brass" in 1957. He also wrote new works for the Monterey Jazz Festival.

In 1961, he composed a six-part musical piece called Perceptions, with Dizzy Gillespie as the main soloist. Another one of his extended works was featured at the First International Jazz Festival in Washington, D.C., in 1962. In 1965, he went to Vienna to perform his Euro Suite with an orchestra that blended jazz and classical music.

Moving to Hollywood

Johnson later moved to California to write music for movies and television. During this time, he played very few live concerts. He did record six albums as a leader between 1977 and 1984. He also played on the soundtrack for The Sting II. In California, he played in the orchestra for Sammy Davis, Jr. and the TV orchestra for Carol Burnett.

Returning to the Stage

In November 1987, Johnson returned to performing live. He played at the famous Village Vanguard in New York City. This led to tours across the United States, Europe, and Japan. In 1988, he recorded two albums worth of material during another performance at the Vanguard.

In December 1988, while touring Japan, Johnson learned that his wife, Vivian, had a serious stroke. He canceled all his work to care for her until she passed away in 1991. He later dedicated an album to her memory.

In 1992, Johnson married his second wife, Carolyn Reid. He then started performing actively again. He recorded five more albums and received several Grammy nominations. He retired from touring in late 1996. He chose to stay home in Indianapolis to focus on composing and arranging music using computers.

Later, Johnson was diagnosed with prostate cancer. He stayed positive and continued his treatments. He also wrote a book of exercises for jazz musicians. A book about his musical life, The Musical World of J. J. Johnson, was published in 2000. His funeral in Indianapolis brought together many jazz musicians, friends, and family.

J. J. Johnson's Lasting Influence

J. J. Johnson's music in the 1940s and 1950s proved that the slide trombone could be played in the fast and complex bebop style. Trombonist Steve Turre once said that "J. J. did for the trombone what Charlie Parker did for the saxophone." He added that all modern trombonists play the way they do because of Johnson. Turre called him "the definitive master of this century" for the trombone. Johnson was also a top composer and arranger.

Many of Johnson's compositions, like "Wee Dot," "Lament," and "Enigma," have become well-known jazz standards. From the mid-1950s onward, Johnson was always a favorite in jazz polls. He even won "Trombonist of the Year" in DownBeat magazine in years when he wasn't actively performing. In 1995, he was voted into the DownBeat Hall of Fame.

Discography

See also

In Spanish: J. J. Johnson para niños