Richard Johnson (pianist) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Richard D. Johnson
Background information
Birth name	Richard Doron Johnson
Born	August 20th 1975 Pittsburgh, PA
Genres	Jazz
Occupation(s)	Musician
Instruments	Piano, clarinet
Years active	1995 to present
Associated acts	Wynton Marsalis, B.B. King, Stevie Wonder, Eric Clapton

Richard Doron Johnson is a talented American musician. He writes music, plays jazz piano, and teaches music at a university. He's a jazz professor at the Peabody Conservatory of Music in Baltimore. You can often find him playing at big jazz festivals, like the Detroit International Jazz Festival and the Chicago Jazz Festival.

Early Life and Musical Journey

Richard Johnson started playing music when he was very young. His father, a gospel pianist, taught him the piano. Richard was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Soon after, his family moved to Canfield, Ohio, where they lived until 1984.

After Ohio, his family moved to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. In middle school, Richard played the trumpet. In high school, he played the valve trombone until 10th grade. In 1991, his family moved again to Boxford, Massachusetts. He graduated from Masconomet High School in Topsfield.

Richard went to the Berklee College of Music and finished his degree in just two years. He then received a scholarship to the Boston Conservatory of Music. There, he earned his Master’s Degree in Jazz Pedagogy, which is about teaching jazz.

A Career in Jazz Music

Richard Johnson received a special diploma from the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz Performance. From 2000 to 2003, he was a member of Wynton Marsalis’ Septet. He also played with the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra. He was part of other famous groups too, like the Russell Malone Quartet.

After playing with these groups, Johnson started the Reach Afar Program. This program teaches kids aged 7 to 17 about how jazz and hip-hop music are connected. In 1999, he was named a United States Musical Ambassador. He traveled the world, visiting more than 76 countries, sharing American jazz music.

Johnson has performed with many jazz legends. These include Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, and Arturo Sandoval. In 2005, he became the musical director for the Atlanta Hawks basketball team. He put together a Hip-Hop instrumental quartet that played during all 92 season games.

In 2015, Richard Johnson became the Jazz Ambassador for the Jazz at Lincoln Center Doha Club. Today, he teaches jazz at the Peabody Conservatory of Music in Baltimore. He also teaches piano for the Ravina Jazz Program in Chicago.

He has released four musical projects. His most recent project is called 2 of A Kind. He co-led this project with Gregory Generet. It features a talented jazz group with Freddie Hendrix on trumpet and Jon Beshay on tenor saxophone.

Richard Johnson's Music

Richard Johnson has released several albums as a leader. He has also contributed to many other artists' albums.

Albums as a Leader

• "Stride Ways" (1998)
• "Battle Grounds" (2010)
• "Here I am" (2013)
• "Music Business" (2017)

Albums as a Contributor

• "United We Swing" - Wynton Marsalis (2019)
• "Check Cashing Day" - Bobby Watson (2013)
• "Soul House" - Christian Winther (2008)
• "The Only Plan" - Christian Winther (2011)
• "Jam Session" - Trombone Steeple Chase (2006)
• "Jam Session" - Tenor sax Steeple Chase (2005)
• "Half Past Autumn" - Irvin Mayfield (2003)
• "How Passion Falls" - Irvin Mayfield (2001)