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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 76-91 of 91 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Decca 102212 4/8/1957 Darn that dream Larry Sonn Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 102213 4/8/1957 My baby just cares for me Larry Sonn Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 102214 4/8/1957 Hi-ho Steverino-1 Larry Sonn Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 102215 4/8/1957 I gotta run-1 Larry Sonn Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 106805 3/16/1959 Cherry pink Mercer Ellington Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 106806 3/16/1959 Azure Mercer Ellington Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 106807 3/16/1959 Little white lies Mercer Ellington Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 106808 3/18/1959 Coral rock Mercer Ellington Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 106809 3/18/1959 Aqua-tonic Mercer Ellington Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 106810 3/18/1959 Maroon Mercer Ellington Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 106811 3/18/1959 Black and tan fantasy Mercer Ellington Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 106812 3/18/1959 Mood indigo Mercer Ellington Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 106813 3/18/1959 Blue serge Mercer Ellington Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 106814 3/18/1959 Golden cress Mercer Ellington Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 106815 3/18/1959 The moon was yellow Mercer Ellington Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 106816 3/18/1959 Down of a greenhorn Mercer Ellington Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
(Results 76-91 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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