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 101-125 of 134 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Decca 104806 4/28/1958 Periwinkle blues Sal Salvador instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 104807 4/28/1958 Desert fever Sal Salvador instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 104808 4/28/1958 You brought a new kind of love to me Sal Salvador instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 104809 4/28/1958 Spring will be a little late Sal Salvador instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 114722 3/26/1964 Expressions Jackie Wilson instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 114723 3/26/1964 Don't set me free Jackie Wilson instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 114724 3/26/1964 Rebecca Jackie Wilson instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 114725 3/26/1964 Give me back my heart Jackie Wilson instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 114726 3/26/1964 Be my girl Jackie Wilson instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 114727 3/26/1964 Dream Jackie Wilson instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 115534 1/6/1965 Who can I turn to? Jonah Jones Quartet instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 115535 1/6/1965 Think beautiful Jonah Jones Quartet instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 115536 1/6/1965 A wonderful day like today Jonah Jones Quartet instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 115537 1/6/1965 Theme from Golden Boy Jonah Jones Quartet instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 115538 1/7/1965 People Jonah Jones Quartet instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 115539 1/7/1965 When I dance with the person Jonah Jones Quartet instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 115540 1/7/1965 Can it be possible Jonah Jones Quartet instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 115541 1/7/1965 Do you love me Jonah Jones Quartet instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 115542 1/7/1965 Variations on a theme by Bird Jonah Jones Quartet instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 115543 1/7/1965 Hello, Dolly! Jonah Jones Quartet instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 115544 1/7/1965 Take the moment Jonah Jones Quartet instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 115545 1/7/1965 127th Street march Jonah Jones Quartet instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 116440 8/18/1965 Side by side Jonah Jones Quartet instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 116441 8/18/1965 Down among the sheltering palms Jonah Jones Quartet instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 116442 8/18/1965 Red head Jonah Jones Quartet instrumentalist, drums  
(Results 101-125 of 134 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Johnson, Osie," accessed April 19, 2024, https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/323884.

Johnson, Osie. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved April 19, 2024, from https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/323884.

"Johnson, Osie." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 19 April 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

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

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