Osie Johnson

James "Osie" Johnson (January 11, 1923, in Washington, D.C. – February 10, 1966, in New York City) was a jazz drummer, arranger and singer.

Johnson studied at Armstrong Highschool where he was classmates with Leo Parker and Frank Wess. He first worked with Sabby Lewis and then, after service in the United States Navy, freelanced for a time in Chicago. From 1951 to 1953, he was a member of Earl Hines's band.

He can be heard on albums by Paul Gonsalves, Zoot Sims, and Mose Allison and is the drummer on Bobby Darin's "Mack the Knife". (Some sources list Don Lamond as the drummer on "Mack the Knife") and on Ray Conniff's first album 'S Wonderful!. He recorded the album A Bit of the Blues as a singer and had arranged at a "hit" for singer Dinah Washington. His final recordings as a singer were on a J. J. Johnson album, now compiled as a collection called Goodies.

In 1957, Johnson appeared with Thelonious Monk and Ahmed Abdul-Malik on The Sound of Jazz.

Johnson died from kidney failure in 1966, at the age of 43.

Birth and Death Data: Born January 11, 1923 (Washington, D.C.), Died February 10, 1966 (New York City)

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1953 - 1965

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 134 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Decca 100937 11/3/1956 These foolish things Hal McKusick instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 100938 11/3/1956 Out of this world-1 Hal McKusick instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 100939 11/3/1956 This is new Hal McKusick instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 100940 11/3/1956 Over the rainbow Hal McKusick instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 100941 11/3/1956 Serenade in blue-1 Hal McKusick instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 100942 11/3/1956 Prelude to a kiss-1 Hal McKusick instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 100943 11/3/1956 Irresistible you Hal McKusick instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 102148 4/2/1957 My sweetie went away Manny Albam and the Jazz Greats of our Time instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 102149 4/2/1957 Am I blue? Manny Albam and the Jazz Greats of our Time instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 102150 4/3/1957 See here Miss Bromley Manny Albam and the Jazz Greats of our Time instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 102151 4/3/1957 Poor Dr. Millmoss Manny Albam and the Jazz Greats of our Time instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 102152 4/3/1957 All too soon Manny Albam and the Jazz Greats of our Time instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 102153 4/4/1957 Minor matters Manny Albam and the Jazz Greats of our Time instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 102154 4/4/1957 Latined fractured Manny Albam and the Jazz Greats of our Time instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 102155 4/4/1957 Blues from Neither Coast Manny Albam and the Jazz Greats of our Time instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 103488 10/10/1957 I feel pretty Manny Albam Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 103489 10/10/1957 Cool Manny Albam Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 103490 10/11/1957 Maria Manny Albam Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 103491 10/11/1957 Prologue and Jet song Manny Albam Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 103492 10/11/1957 Tonight Manny Albam Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 103493 10/11/1957 Something's coming Manny Albam Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 103494 10/11/1957 Somewhere Manny Albam Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 103495 10/11/1957 Finale: I feel pretty/America/One hand Manny Albam Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 104073 1/16/1958 What am I here for Barry Galbraith instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 104074 1/16/1958 Any place I hang my hat is home Barry Galbraith instrumentalist, drums  
(Results 51-75 of 134 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Johnson, Osie," accessed April 23, 2024, https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/323884.

Johnson, Osie. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved April 23, 2024, from https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/323884.

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

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/323884

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