egroj world: J.J. Johnson • Broadway Express

Wednesday, February 14, 2024

J.J. Johnson • Broadway Express

J.J. Johnson is an NEA Jazz Master Considered by many to be the finest jazz trombonist of all time, J.J. Johnson somehow transferred the innovations of Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie to his more awkward instrument, playing with such speed and deceptive ease that at one time some listeners assumed he was playing valve (rather than slide) trombone! Johnson toured with the territory bands of Clarence Love and Snookum Russell during 1941-42 and then spent 1942-45 with Benny Carter's big band.

He made his recording debut with Carter (taking a solo on "Love for Sale" in 1943) and played at the first JATP concert (1944). Johnson also had led plenty of solo space during his stay with Count Basie's Orchestra (1945-46). During 1946-50, he played with all of the top bop musicians including Charlie Parker (with whom he recorded in 1947), the Dizzy Gillespie big band, Illinois Jacquet (1947-49) and the Miles Davis Birth of the Cool Nonet. His own recordings from the era included such sidemen as Bud Powell and a young Sonny Rollins. J.J., who also recorded with the Metronome All-Stars, played with Oscar Pettiford (1951) and Miles Davis (1952) but then was outside of music, working as a blueprint inspector for two years (1952-54).

His fortunes changed when in August 1954 he formed a two -trombone quintet with Kai Winding that became known as Jay and Kai and was quite popular during its two years. After J.J. and Kai went their separate ways (they would later have a few reunions), Johnson led a quintet that often included Bobby Jaspar.

He began to compose ambitious works starting with 1956's "Poem for Brass" and including "El Camino Real" and a feature for Dizzy Gillespie, "Perceptions"; his "Lament" became a standard. Johnson worked with Miles Davis, during part of 1961-62, led some small groups of his own, and by the late '60s was kept busy writing television and film scores. J.J. Johnson was so famous in the jazz world that he kept on winning DOWN BEAT polls in the 1970s even though he was not playing at all! However, starting with a Japanese tour in 1977, J.J. gradually returned to a busy performance schedule, leading a quintet in the 1980s that often featured Ralph Moore.
https://www.allaboutjazz.com/musicians/jj-johnson/

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J. J. Johnson es un Maestro del Jazz NEA Considerado por muchos como el mejor trombonista de jazz de todos los tiempos. ¡J. J. Johnson transfirió de alguna manera las innovaciones de Charlie Parker y Dizzy Gillespie a su instrumento más incómodo, tocando con tanta velocidad y facilidad engañosa que en un momento algunos oyentes asumieron que estaba tocando trombón de válvula (en lugar de slide)! Johnson realizó una gira con las bandas territoriales de Clarence Love y Snookum Russell durante 1941-42 y luego pasó 1942-45 con la big band de Benny Carter.

Hizo su debut discográfico con Carter (haciendo un solo en" Love for Sale " en 1943) y tocó en el primer concierto de JATP (1944). Johnson también había liderado mucho espacio en solitario durante su estadía con la Orquesta de Count Basie(1945-46). Durante 1946-50, tocó con todos los mejores músicos de bop, incluido Charlie Parker (con quien grabó en 1947), la Dizzy Gillespie big band, Illinois Jacquet (1947-49) y Miles Davis Birth of the Cool Nonet. Sus propias grabaciones de la época incluían acompañantes como Bud Powell y un joven Sonny Rollins. J. J., quien también grabó con Metronome All-Stars, tocó con Oscar Pettiford (1951) y Miles Davis (1952), pero luego estuvo fuera de la música, trabajando como inspector de planos durante dos años (1952-54).

Su suerte cambió cuando en agosto de 1954 formó un quinteto de dos trombones con Kai Winding que se conoció como Jay y Kai y fue bastante popular durante sus dos años. Después de que J. J. y Kai tomaran caminos separados (más tarde tendrían algunas reuniones), Johnson dirigió un quinteto que a menudo incluía a Bobby Jaspar.

Comenzó a componer obras ambiciosas a partir de "Poem for Brass" de 1956 e incluyendo "El Camino Real" y un largometraje para Dizzy Gillespie, "Perceptions"; su "Lamento" se convirtió en un estándar. Johnson trabajó con Miles Davis, durante parte de 1961-62, dirigió algunos pequeños grupos propios y, a fines de los 60, se mantuvo ocupado escribiendo partituras para televisión y cine. ¡J. J. Johnson era tan famoso en el mundo del jazz que siguió ganando en las encuestas A LA BAJA en la década de 1970 a pesar de que no tocaba en absoluto! Sin embargo, comenzando con una gira japonesa en 1977, J. J. poco a poco volvió a una apretada agenda de presentaciones, liderando un quinteto en la década de 1980 que a menudo presentaba a Ralph Moore.
https://www.allaboutjazz.com/musicians/jj-johnson/

Tracks:
A1 - Come Back To Me 2:09
A2 - Night Song 3:00
A3 - Once In A Lifetime 2:13
A4 - More Than One Way 2:02
A5 - I Believe In You 2:13
A6 - Goodbye, Old Girl 2:40
B1 - The Joker 2:40
B2 - Sew The Buttons On 2:06
B3 - Sunrise, Sunset 2:25
B4 - Why Did I Choose You? 2:04
B5 - Xanadu 1:43
B6 - Something's Coming 2:07

Crtedits:
    J. J. Johnson - trombone
    Burt Collins, Joe Newman, Ernie Royal - trumpet
    Wayne Andre, Dick Hixon - trombone
    Tony Studd - bass trombone
    James Buffington, Bob Northern - French horn
    Danny Bank, Phil Bodner, Jerome Richardson, Frank Wess - reeds
    Everett Barksdale, Kenny Burrell, Carl Lynch - guitar
    Hank Jones - piano
    Richard Davis - bass
    Grady Tate - drums
    Warren Smith, Phil Kraus - percussion
    Mundell Lowe - arranger, conductor

Recorded at RCA Victor's studio A, New-York City

Label:    RCA Victor – LSP-3544
Format:
Vinyl, LP, Album, Stereo
Country:    US
Released:    1966
Genre:    Jazz
https://www.discogs.com/release/4514681-JJ-Johnson-Broadway-Express