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Alvon

Alvon Johnson: 2005 Guitar Player of the Year, Former vocalist with the Rock and Roll Hall of fame group "The Coasters", Regional winner of the Guitar Centers "King of the Blues" national contest in 2006 and 2007, his CD “The Blues Grew up was nominated for Outstanding Blues Album 2004 and Voted in top ten CD in Japan in 2005. His latest CD Guitars and Cars was voted in top ten CD’s of 2008 by the prestigious Blues magazine “Real Blues ”.
His early influences were Guitar players such as Wes Montgomery, Andre Segovia, Charlie Christian, and of course Jimi Hendrix. His vocalist influences were Joe Williams, Johnny Hartman, Nat King Cole, and Frank Sinatra. Throughout his career he has performed with many well known artists, including The Drifters, The Shirelles, Bobby Day of Rocking’ Robin fame, Otis Day and the Knights, and Jimmie Rodgers of Country and Western fame. Alvon sought out, and learned, at the feet of many icons of the blues, including: John Lee Hooker, Pee Wee Crayton, Little Joe Blue, Harmonica Fats, Sonny Green, Frankie Lee, Guitar Shorty, Lowell Folsom, and Buddy Ace.
Alvon worked with comedians such as Renaldo Rey, Robin Harris, Skillet and Leroy, and Lawanda Paige (Aunt Ester), from the Redd Foxx show. Having the opportunity to learn from these outstanding comedians helped to develop Alvon‘s own special sense of humor.
Alvon has performed on the international level as well as nationally in such places as Malaysia, China, France, Italy, Japan, Singapore, New Zealand, Europe, Canada, The Bahamas, Australia, Las Vegas, Lake Tahoe, Atlantic City and many other cities all across the United States.

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Alvon Johnson On Top of the Bay Area Blues Game

Alvon Johnson On Top of the Bay Area Blues Game

Source: All About Jazz

The blues game has a new shot in the arm, and his name is Alvon Johnson. His aggressive style of playing the guitar has ignited a new generation of blues fans.

Johnsons introduction to music came early on, as he followed in the footsteps of his mother. His talent as a young man was evident, and singing and playing guitar for a living was an obvious career path. Early influences included legends Wes Montgomery, Andre Segovia, Charlie Christian and Jimi ...

His self titled CD was spoken of and described as: This month was Muddy Waters Month on "Blues Edition" which is a radio program I host on Saturday nights in the Chicago area. This week's show was dedicated to Muddy's legacy - covers of Muddy's songs etc. Well the listening audience was unanimous that Alvon's version of "Hoochie Coochie Man" was spectacular. It is a cutting edge rendition which holds its own with Muddy's original which is, of course, one of the top ten blues recordings of all time. Chicago is drenched in blues talent (we're proud of it too) and Alvon can go head to head with the best around here. Greg Freerksen, host "Blues Edition" Public Radio from College of DuPage, 90.9 FM WDCB, Glen Ellyn, Illinois 7-9 pm Saturdays.

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