William Manuel Johnson facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Bill Johnson
Johnson in 1909
Background information
Birth name	William Manuel Johnson
Born	Disputed Talladega, Alabama
Died	December 3, 1972 New Braunfels, Texas, U.S.
Genres	Jazz, dixieland
Occupation(s)	Musician
Instruments	Double bass
Years active	1880s–1950s
Associated acts	The Original Creole Orchestra, King Oliver's Creole Jazz Band, Bill Johnson's Louisiana Jug Band

William Manuel "Bill" Johnson was an American jazz musician. He played the banjo and the double bass. Many people think he created the "slap" style of playing the double bass. He passed away on December 3, 1972.

The Slap Bass Style

Bill Johnson became famous for his unique "slap" style of playing the double bass. This way of playing is more energetic than the usual "pizzicato" style. Pizzicato means plucking the strings with your fingers.

Johnson said he started slapping his bass strings by accident. This happened in the early 1910s while he was on tour in Louisiana. His bow broke, so he had to find another way to make music. Other bass players in New Orleans learned this new style. It then spread across the country as jazz music became popular.

Founding the Original Creole Orchestra

Bill Johnson was a very important person in early jazz. He founded and managed The Original Creole Orchestra. This was the first jazz band to leave New Orleans and travel widely. They toured in the 1910s.

The band performed in many places. They played in the Midwest, Northwest, and even in Canada. They often took part in vaudeville shows. These were popular stage shows with different acts.

Moving to Chicago

In 1915, Johnson brought his band to Chicago. They helped make Royal Gardens a famous jazz club. This club was later known as Lincoln Gardens. The Original Creole Orchestra played there regularly starting in 1918.

King Oliver's Creole Jazz Band

In the early 1920s, Bill Johnson helped put together King Oliver's Creole Jazz Band. This group is thought to be one of the best early jazz bands. They played in a special "ensemble style." This means all the musicians played together very closely.

Johnson also taught his "slap" bass style to younger musicians in Chicago. One of his students was Milt Hinton. Johnson made many recordings in Chicago in the late 1920s. On one famous recording, "Dippermouth Blues" from 1923, you can hear him say "Oh play that thing!"

Later Years and Family

Bill Johnson kept playing music into the early 1950s. He performed with different jazz bands and orchestras.

Johnson had a younger half-brother named Ollie "Dink" Johnson. Dink was also a well-known musician. Bill Johnson's half-sister, Anita Gonzales, was married to the famous jazz musician Jelly Roll Morton for a few years.

Bill Johnson passed away in New Braunfels, Texas in 1972.