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Gus Johnson

Gus Johnson (November 15, 1913 – February 6, 2000) was an American swing drummer in various jazz bands, born in Tyler, Texas, United States. After learning to play drums from his next-door neighbor, Johnson occasionally played professionally at the age of ten in the Lincoln Theater, and performed in various local groups, most notable McDavid's Blue Rhythm Band. Upon graduating from Booker T. Washington High School, Johnson moved to Kansas City, where he took up drumming full-time. He joined Jay McShann's Orchestra in 1938, with his music career being interrupted by his conscription into the military in 1943.

In 1945, Johnson returned from his stint in the military, and relocated to Chicago to perform in the Jesse Miller Band. Johnson played on Willie Dixon's debut album, Willie's Blues. He subsequently played alongside Count Basie, and was recorded on the album, Basie Rides Again, in 1952. Following a recovery from appendicitis, Johnson was featured in numerous groups and dozens of recordings in the 1960s. In 1972, his former bandmates from Jay McShann's Orchestra reconvened to record Going to Kansas City. Although Johnson continued to tour into the 1980s, he developed Alzheimer's disease in 1989, which he struggled with until his death on February 6, 2000.

Birth and Death Data: Born November 15, 1913 (Tyler), Died February 6, 2000 (Denver)

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1941 - 1959

Roles Represented in DAHR: drums

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

Recordings (Results 51-75 of 91 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Decca 101458 1/23/1957 By the way Nat Pierce Quintet instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 101459 1/23/1957 Blues for Jean Nat Pierce Quintet instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 101460 1/24/1957 Hi-Fitz Nat Pierce Quintet instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 101461 1/24/1957 Moten swing Nat Pierce Quintet instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 101462 1/24/1957 Far East Nat Pierce Quintet instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 101463 1/25/1957 No love, no nothing Nat Pierce Quintet instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 101464 1/25/1957 Shake down the stars Nat Pierce Quintet instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 101465 1/25/1957 Pizzicato swing Nat Pierce Quintet instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 101466 1/25/1957 Society jump Nat Pierce Quintet instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 101529 2/1/1957 Cha cha for Gia Larry Sonn Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 101530 2/1/1957 Madrid Larry Sonn Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 101531 2/1/1957 Sing something simple Larry Sonn Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 101532 2/1/1957 You're driving me crazy Larry Sonn Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 101538 2/4/1957 This time the dream's on me Art Farmer Quintet ; Hal McKusick instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 101539 2/4/1957 Isn't it romantic? Art Farmer Quintet ; Hal McKusick instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 101540 2/4/1957 Alone together Art Farmer Quintet ; Hal McKusick instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 101541 2/4/1957 That old devil moon Art Farmer Quintet ; Hal McKusick instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 101542 2/5/1957 Criss cross Art Farmer Quintet ; Hal McKusick instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 101543 2/5/1957 For Art's sake Art Farmer Quintet ; Hal McKusick instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 101544 2/5/1957 Down and dirty Art Farmer Quintet ; Hal McKusick instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 101545 2/5/1957 Gone with the wind Art Farmer Quintet ; Hal McKusick instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 101546 2/6/1957 When your lover has gone Art Farmer Quintet ; Hal McKusick instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 101547 2/6/1957 Makin' whoopee Art Farmer Quintet ; Hal McKusick instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 101548 2/6/1957 Ponsu Art Farmer Quintet ; Hal McKusick instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 101549 2/6/1957 This time the dream's on me Art Farmer Quintet ; Hal McKusick instrumentalist, drums  
(Results 51-75 of 91 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Johnson, Gus," accessed March 28, 2024, https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/323849.

Johnson, Gus. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved March 28, 2024, from https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/323849.

"Johnson, Gus." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 28 March 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/323849

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