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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 126-150 of 257 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Columbia W150612 10-in. 6/25/1930 If I could be with you (One hour to-night) Lazy Levee Loungers Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo songwriter  
Columbia W150826 10-in. 9/18/1930 If I could be with you (One hour to-night) Ruth Etting Female vocal solo songwriter  
Columbia W151457 10-in. 3/25/1931 Go Harlem Jimmy Johnson Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo leader  
Columbia W151459 10-in. 3/25/1931 A porter's love song (to a chambermaid) Jimmy Johnson Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo composer, leader  
Columbia W151460 10-in. 3/25/1931 Just a crazy song (Hi-hi-hi) Jimmy Johnson Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo leader  
Columbia W151739 10-in. 8/19/1931 Doggone blue Rosa Henderson Female vocal solo ("blues singer"), with piano instrumentalist, piano  
Columbia W151740 10-in. 8/19/1931 Can't be bothered with no sheik Rosa Henderson Female vocal solo ("blues singer"), with piano instrumentalist, piano  
Columbia W151763 10-in. 9/2/1931 Old fashioned love Clyde McCoy Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo composer  
Columbia W151775 10-in. 9/9/1931 I need loving The Rondoliers and Piano Pals Male vocal quartet, with piano songwriter  
Columbia W151807 10-in. 9/23/1931 I need lovin' The Rondoliers and Piano Pals Male vocal quartet, with 2 pianos composer  
Columbia W152715 10-in. 2/13/1934 The Spanish in my eyes Enric Madriguera Orchestra ; Tony Sacco ; Helen Ward Jazz/dance band, with female-male vocal duet songwriter  
OKeh 9673 10-in. 5/13/1926 Woman changed my life Lonnie Johnson Male vocal solo, piano and violin instrumentalist, piano  
OKeh 9674 10-in. 5/13/1926 Lonnie's got the blues Lonnie Johnson Male vocal solo, with guitar and piano instrumentalist, piano  
OKeh 9675 Not documented 5/13/1926 [Unknown title(s)] Lonnie Johnson Male vocal solo, with piano and guitar (or violin) instrumentalist, piano  
OKeh 9676 Not documented 5/13/1926 [Unknown title(s)] Lonnie Johnson Male vocal solo, with piano and guitar (or violin) instrumentalist, piano  
OKeh 9677 Not documented 5/13/1926 [Unknown title(s)] Lonnie Johnson Male vocal solo, with piano and guitar (or violin) instrumentalist, piano  
OKeh 9684 Not documented 5/14/1926 [Unknown title(s)] Lonnie Johnson Male vocal solo, with piano and guitar (or violin) instrumentalist, piano  
OKeh 9685 10-in. 5/14/1926 Good old wagon Lonnie Johnson Male vocal solo, with piano and violin instrumentalist, piano  
OKeh 9686 10-in. 5/14/1926 A good, happy home James P. Johnson ; Lonnie Johnson Male vocal solo, with piano and violin instrumentalist, piano  
OKeh 9687 10-in. 5/14/1926 Baby, you don't know my mind James P. Johnson ; Lonnie Johnson Male vocal solo, with piano and violin instrumentalist, piano  
OKeh 9688 Not documented 5/14/1926 [Unknown title(s)] James P. Johnson ; Lonnie Johnson Male vocal solo, piano and violin instrumentalist, piano  
OKeh 9689 10-in. 5/14/1926 I have no sweet woman now Lonnie Johnson Male vocal solo, with guitar and piano instrumentalist, piano  
OKeh S-70259 10-in. 10/18/1921 Keep off the grass James P. Johnson Piano solo composer, instrumentalist, piano  
OKeh S-70260 10-in. 10/18/1921 Carolina shout James P. Johnson Piano solo instrumentalist, piano, composer  
OKeh S-70350 10-in. 12/5/1921 Dear old Southland Harmony Eight ; James P. Johnson Jazz/dance band leader  
(Results 126-150 of 257 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Johnson, James P.," accessed April 23, 2024, https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/103380.

Johnson, James P.. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved April 23, 2024, from https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/103380.

"Johnson, James P.." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 23 April 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

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

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