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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 1-25 of 257 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Victor B-27236 10-in. 12/15/1922 Ivy (Cling to me) Paul Whiteman Orchestra Jazz/dance band composer  
Victor B-28196 10-in. 7/17/1923 You can't do what my last man did James P. Johnson Piano solo composer, instrumentalist, piano  
Victor B-28197 10-in. 7/17/1923 Bleeding hearted blues James P. Johnson Piano solo instrumentalist, piano  
Victor B-28729 10-in. 10/10/1923 Charleston Arthur Gibbs and his Gang ; Arthur Gibbs Jazz/dance band composer  
Victor B-28730 10-in. 10/10/1923 Old-fashioned love Arthur Gibbs and his Gang ; Arthur Gibbs Jazz/dance band composer  
Victor B-29189 10-in. 1/8/1924 Old fashioned love Eubie Blake ; Noble Sissle Male vocal solo, with piano composer  
Victor BVE-32576 10-in. 5/7/1925 Charleston Paul Whiteman Orchestra Jazz/dance band composer  
Victor BVE-35992 10-in. 9/13/1926 Alabama stomp Gus C. Edwards Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo composer  
Victor BVE-37259 10-in. 12/17/1926 I need lovin' Coon-Sanders Original Nighthawk Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo composer  
Victor BVE-42566 10-in. 3/27/1928 Willow tree Louisiana Sugar Babes Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, piano  
Victor BVE-42567 10-in. 3/27/1928 'Sippi Louisiana Sugar Babes Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, piano, composer  
Victor BVE-42568 10-in. 3/27/1928 Thou swell Louisiana Sugar Babes Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, piano  
Victor BVE-42569 10-in. 3/27/1928 Persian rug Louisiana Sugar Babes Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, piano  
Victor BVE-43359 10-in. 3/14/1928 Give me the sunshine Roger Wolfe Kahn Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo composer  
Victor BVE-57434 10-in. 11/20/1929 Your love is all that I crave Johnny Hamp ; Kentucky Serenaders Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo composer  
Victor BVE-57527 10-in. 11/6/1929 I'm lonesome, sweetheart King Oliver Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo instrumentalist, piano  
Victor BVE-57528 10-in. 11/6/1929 I want you just myself King Oliver Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, piano  
Victor BVE-57529 10-in. 11/6/1929 I can't stop loving you King Oliver Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, piano  
Victor BVE-57701 10-in. 11/18/1929 You don't understand Jimmie Johnson Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal trio instrumentalist, piano, composer, director  
Victor BVE-57702 10-in. 11/18/1929 You've got to be modernistic Jimmie Johnson Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal trio instrumentalist, piano, composer, director  
Victor BVE-57782 10-in. 12/16/1929 What makes me love you so Eva Taylor Female vocal solo, with piano and cornet instrumentalist, piano  
Victor BVE-57783 10-in. 12/16/1929 You don't understand Eva Taylor Female vocal solo, with piano and cornet instrumentalist, piano, composer  
Victor BVE-58545 10-in. 1/31/1930 If I could be with you one hour to-night McKinney's Cotton Pickers ; George Thomas Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo composer  
Victor BVE-62178 10-in. 6/2/1930 Goose and gander Teddy Bunn ; Spencer Williams Male vocal duet, with instrumental trio instrumentalist, piano  
Victor BVE-62179 10-in. 6/2/1930 The new goose and gander Teddy Bunn ; Spencer Williams Male vocal duet, with piano, guitar, and washboard instrumentalist, piano  
(Results 1-25 of 257 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Johnson, James P.," accessed March 29, 2024, https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/103380.

Johnson, James P.. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved March 29, 2024, from https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/103380.

"Johnson, James P.." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 29 March 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

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

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