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James P. Johnson

James Price Johnson (February 1, 1894 – November 17, 1955) was an American pianist and composer. A pioneer of stride piano, he was one of the most important pianists in the early era of recording, and like Jelly Roll Morton, one of the key figures in the evolution of ragtime into what was eventually called jazz. Johnson was a major influence on Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Art Tatum, Thelonious Monk, and Fats Waller, who was his student.

Johnson composed many hit songs, including the unofficial anthem of the Roaring Twenties, "The Charleston", and he remained the acknowledged king of New York jazz pianists through most of the 1930s. Johnson's artistry, influence on early popular music, and contributions to musical theatre are often overlooked, and as such, he has been referred to by musicologist David Schiff as "The Invisible Pianist."

Birth and Death Data: Born February 1, 1894 (New Brunswick), Died November 17, 1955 (New York City)

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1918 - 1949

Roles Represented in DAHR: piano, composer, songwriter, leader, director, lyricist, banjo, guitar

Notes: Sometimes listed as Jimmy Johnson.

= Recordings are available for online listening.
= Recordings were issued from this master. No recordings issued from other masters.

Recordings (Results 226-250 of 257 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Decca 72236 10-in. 6/8/1944 My fate is in your hands James P. Johnson instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 72311 10-in. 6/28/1944 Blue turning grey over you James P. Johnson instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 72312 10-in. 6/28/1944 Squeeze me James P. Johnson instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 72313 10-in. 6/28/1944 I'm gonna sit right down and write myself a letter James P. Johnson instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 72314 10-in. 6/28/1944 Ain't misbehavin' (I'm saving my love for you) James P. Johnson instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 72386 10-in. 9/15/1944 Snowy morning blues James P. Johnson instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 72387 10-in. 9/15/1944 The Carolina shout James P. Johnson instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 72388 10-in. 9/15/1944 Keep off the grass James P. Johnson instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 72389 10-in. 9/15/1944 Old fashioned love James P. Johnson instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 72390 10-in. 9/22/1944 If I could be with you (one hour tonight) James P. Johnson instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 72391 10-in. 9/22/1944 A porter's love song to a chambermaid James P. Johnson instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 72392 10-in. 9/22/1944 Over the bars James P. Johnson instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 72393 10-in. 9/22/1944 Riffs James P. Johnson instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 73647 7/17/1946 Just you, just me-1 Eddie Condon Orchestra instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 73648 7/17/1946 Atlanta blues -1 Eddie Condon Orchestra instrumentalist, piano  
Signature T-1901 10-in. 11/20/1942 Squeeze me Eddie Condon's Barrelhouse Gang instrumentalist, piano  
Signature T-1902 10-in. 11/20/1943 That's a plenty Eddie Condon's Barrelhouse Gang instrumentalist, piano  
Signature T-1903 11/20/1943 Yank's blues-1 Eddie Condon's Barrelhouse Gang instrumentalist, piano  
Signature T-1904 11/20/1943 Old fashioned love-1,2 Eddie Condon's Barrelhouse Gang instrumentalist, piano  
Signature T-1909 10-in. 12/18/1943 Squeeze me Yank Lawson and his Jazz Band instrumentalist, piano  
Signature T-1910 10-in. 12/18/1943 When I grow too old to dream Yank Lawson and his Jazz Band instrumentalist, piano  
Signature T-1911 10-in. 12/18/1943 Too many times Yank Lawson and his Jazz Band instrumentalist, piano  
Signature T-1912 10-in. 12/18/1943 The sheik of Araby Yank Lawson and his Jazz Band instrumentalist, piano  
Signature T-1913 10-in. 12/18/1943 Old fashioned love James P. Johnson instrumentalist, piano  
Signature T-1914 10-in. 12/18/1943 Blueberry rhyme James P. Johnson instrumentalist, piano  
(Results 226-250 of 257 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Johnson, James P.," accessed April 28, 2024, https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/103380.

Johnson, James P.. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved April 28, 2024, from https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/103380.

"Johnson, James P.." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 28 April 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/103380

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