J. C. Johnson facts for kids

J. C. Johnson (born Jay Cee Johnson) was a talented American musician. He was a skilled pianist and a well-known songwriter. He is famous for working with many big names in music, especially singers like Fats Waller and Bessie Smith. Johnson wrote many popular songs that are still enjoyed today.

About J. C. Johnson

Early Life and Musical Start

Jay Cee Johnson was born in Chicago, Illinois, on September 14, 1896. He later moved to New York City in the early 1920s. In New York, he began his music career as a pianist.

His first recorded song as a writer was "You Can't Do What My Last Man Did." The famous singer Ethel Waters sang this song in 1923. This was the start of Johnson's journey as a songwriter.

Becoming a Songwriter

After his first success, Johnson started writing many more songs. He worked with other talented writers, like Henry Creamer and Andy Razaf. Ethel Waters recorded more of his songs, including "Trav'lin All Alone." This song became very popular and was later sung by many other artists, such as Billie Holiday.

By 1928, Johnson began working with the legendary musician Fats Waller. Johnson often wrote the lyrics for Waller's music. Their first song together was "I'm "Goin Huntin'," recorded by Louis Armstrong.

Collaborations with Music Stars

Johnson also wrote songs for other famous artists. He sometimes used the name Harry Burke. One of his well-known songs, "Me and My Gin," was recorded by the blues queen Bessie Smith in 1928. This song is also known as "Gin House Blues."

In 1929, Johnson played piano in a special group called "Blind Willie Dunn & His Gin Bottle Four." This group included musicians from different backgrounds, like Eddie Lang and Lonnie Johnson. They played together to create unique blues music.

Many other artists sang and recorded Johnson's songs in the 1920s and 1930s. These included Ella Fitzgerald, whose first three recorded songs were co-written by Johnson. Other artists were Connie Boswell, Mamie Smith, and Clarence Williams. J. C. Johnson also had his own band, called J. C. Johnson and his Five Hot Sparks. He played piano on many recordings for other musicians.

Broadway and More Hits

In 1930, Johnson wrote a musical for Broadway called Change Your Luck. He had more success writing songs for Bessie Smith. These included "Black Mountain Blues" and "Empty Bed Blues." He also wrote many hits for Fats Waller, such as "Believe It, Beloved."

Johnson worked with Fats Waller and Andy Razaf on one of Waller's biggest hits, "The Joint Is Jumpin'." He also wrote songs for Chick Webb's band, which featured the young singer Ella Fitzgerald. Some of his songs for them were "Spinnin' the Webb" and "You Can't Be Mine."

Later Life and Legacy

During World War II, Johnson volunteered to help. He became an ambulance driver for the United States Army. During this time, he and Andy Razaf wrote "Yankee Doodle Tan." This song honored African American soldiers in the war and appeared in a movie.

After Fats Waller passed away in 1943, Johnson moved to St. Albans, Queens. He wrote songs for the famous vocal group Ink Spots and even managed them for a while.

In the early 1950s, Johnson created theatrical shows. One show, Jazz Train, was very popular. It played in London's West End and even had two special performances for the Queen. The show then toured England and Europe for three years.

Johnson later moved to a village called Wurtsboro in New York. In the 1970s, people became interested in his songs again. Many of his songs were used in movies and shows. Artists like Bette Midler and Bobby Short recorded his music. J. C. Johnson passed away on February 27, 1981, at the age of 84.

In 2010, a new musical called Trav'lin was presented. It featured 20 songs written by J. C. Johnson, showing how his music continues to be enjoyed.