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 76-100 of 134 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Decca 104075 1/16/1958 Bull market Barry Galbraith instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 104076 1/16/1958 Nina never knew Barry Galbraith instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 104077 1/21/1958 Holiday Barry Galbraith instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 104078 1/21/1958 I like to recognize the tune Barry Galbraith instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 104079 1/21/1958 Portrait of Jennie Barry Galbraith instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 104080 1/21/1958 A gal in calico Barry Galbraith instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 104081 1/28/1958 Ya' gotta have rhythm Barry Galbraith instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 104082 1/28/1958 Judy's jaunt Barry Galbraith instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 104083 1/28/1958 Love is for the very young-1 Barry Galbraith instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 104084 1/28/1958 Walking Barry Galbraith instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 104497 3/3/1958 Duke's place Manny Albam Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 104498 3/3/1958 In a sentimental mood Manny Albam Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 104499 3/3/1958 Sophisticated lady Manny Albam Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 104500 3/3/1958 Prelude to a kiss Manny Albam Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 104508 3/4/1958 Satin doll Manny Albam Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 104509 3/4/1958 Solitude Manny Albam Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 104510 3/4/1958 It don't mean a thing Manny Albam Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 104511 3/4/1958 Mood indigo Manny Albam Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 104517 3/5/1958 I'm beginning to see the light Manny Albam Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 104518 3/5/1958 Don't you know I care Manny Albam Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 104519 3/5/1958 In a mellow tone Manny Albam Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 104520 3/5/1958 The sky fell down Manny Albam Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 104799 4/21/1958 What is there to say? Sal Salvador instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 104800 4/21/1958 You'd be so nice to come home to Sal Salvador instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 104801 4/21/1958 Yesterdays Sal Salvador instrumentalist, drums  
(Results 76-100 of 134 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Johnson, Osie," accessed May 7, 2024, https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/323884.

Johnson, Osie. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved May 7, 2024, from https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/323884.

"Johnson, Osie." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 7 May 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

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

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