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 1-25 of 134 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Decca 84899 7/23/1953 Blues in lament Benny (Bennie) Green instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 84900 7/23/1953 Blow your horn Benny (Bennie) Green instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 84901 7/23/1953 Expense account Benny (Bennie) Green instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 84902 7/23/1953 Takin' my time Benny (Bennie) Green instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 85837 12/22/1953 I cover the waterfront Tony Scott Quartet instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 85838 12/22/1953 It's you or no one Tony Scott Quartet instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 85839 12/22/1953 Blues for Ava, part 1 Tony Scott Quartet instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 85840 12/22/1953 Blues for Ave, part 2 Tony Scott Quartet instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 85841 12/22/1953 Yesterdays Tony Scott Quartet instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 85842 12/29/1953 Goodbye Tony Scott Quartet instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 85843 12/29/1953 Swootie Patootie Tony Scott Quartet instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 85844 12/29/1953 Sweet Lorraine Tony Scott Quartet instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 88657 9/16/1955 Timmy's tune Joe Holiday and his Band instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 88658 9/16/1955 Love is a many splendored thing Joe Holiday and his Band instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 88659 9/16/1955 Opening night Joe Holiday and his Band instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 88660 9/16/1955 Tiny mite Joe Holiday and his Band instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 88710 9/29/1955 Cool cat on a hot tin roof Ralph Burns Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 88711 9/29/1955 What am I here for Ralph Burns Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 88712 9/29/1955 Jazz Club U.S.A. Ralph Burns Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 88740 10/6/1955 I'll be around Ralph Burns Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 88741 10/6/1955 Royal garden blues Ralph Burns Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 88742 10/6/1955 Nocturne Ralph Burns Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 88743 10/6/1955 South Gonzales Street parade Ralph Burns Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 100172 6/7/1956 King Porter stomp Manhattan Jazz Septet instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 100173 6/7/1956 Never, never land Manhattan Jazz Septet instrumentalist, drums  
(Results 1-25 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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