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 126-134 of 134 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Decca 116443 8/18/1965 I used to love you Jonah Jones Quartet instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 116444 8/19/1965 Save your sorrow Jonah Jones Quartet instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 116445 8/19/1965 Who's sorry now Jonah Jones Quartet instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 116446 8/19/1965 Angry Jonah Jones Quartet instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 116447 8/19/1965 Anytime Jonah Jones Quartet instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 116448 8/19/1965 There'll be some changes made Jonah Jones Quartet instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 116449 8/19/1965 On the sunny side of the street Jonah Jones Quartet instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 116450 8/20/1965 I want a girl Jonah Jones Quartet instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 116451 8/20/1965 You're nobody 'til somebody loves you Jonah Jones Quartet instrumentalist, drums  
(Results 126-134 of 134 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Johnson, Osie," accessed April 26, 2024, https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/323884.

Johnson, Osie. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved April 26, 2024, from https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/323884.

"Johnson, Osie." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 26 April 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

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

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