Home » Jazz Musicians » John A. Williamson

John A. Williamson

Here to "Move you and Groove You," do the jump, jive, swing and scrunch with them - dance with them till the whole floor is sore! Close your eyes and let them take you to a most dangerous and mysterious musical place.

Among today’s great roots, jump blues, blues and rhythm musicians, they have the voicing of original and infectious dimension. Johnny Lee with his Blue Comets redefines the origins of blues and rhythm oldies with vocal authority and freshness. Their material is influenced by the music of the ‘40s, ‘50s and ‘60s, but they consistently bring a unique and musically sophisticated point of view. In this sense they are classicists, opening the eyes of a new generation to a rich historical musical style. With their cool and sultry musical approach, filtered through a late night underground border radio vibe, Like Dr. JazzMo, they give a "Blessed Charm" to all those who are discovering them for the first time. And a hardy heart-felt double hit to their loyal world wide following.

As kids in North and East Los Angeles, and Cleveland, The Blue Comets members were captivated by the magic of blues and rhythm. At an early age, they were hanging around Cleveland blues clubs, El Monte Legion Stadium, Harmony Park Ballroom, Long Beach Civic, Shrine Auditorium, Ice House and a few others like the Five Four Ballroom, Johnny Otis’s Barrel House, Rim Ram Club, and several other seminal places, meeting other singers and songwriters and eventually forming earlier successful groups Robert Jr. Lockwood’s Band, The Curb Feelers, The Southside Jukes, Magic Blues Band, Job Striles Band, The Superstitions and Max Bangwell Band. They went on to record five-plus albums, tour and opened for The Chambers Brothers, Richard Berry, The Jaguars, Chuck Higgins, Joe Houston, Katy Segal, Pee Wee Creighton, Joe Liggins, Son Seals, George Harmonica Smith, Smoky Wilson, Barbara Lynn, Rod Piazza, Hollywood Fats, Lester Butler and the Red Devils, and for many of their first performances.

In the years that followed, members of The Blue Comets began an expansive career that kicked off with producing the first records for Max Bangwell Top of the Hill, Job Striles Sings and Plays and Out of this World, Primordial Slim’s Cain Enablers and Cool Cool Place to Go, The Southside Jukes, Leave all Blades and Pistols at the Door, The Superstitions, and the recently released Juke Town The Superstitions and band members went on to compose, supervise and produce a long list of CD scores and soundtracks.

Tags

309
Take Five With...

Take Five With John A. Williamson

Read "Take Five With John A. Williamson" reviewed by AAJ Staff


Meet John A. Williamson: Here to “Move you and Groove You," do the jump, jive, swing and scrunch with them - dance with them till the whole floor is sore! Close your eyes and let them take you to a most dangerous and mysterious musical place.Among today's great roots, jump blues, blues and rhythm musicians, they have the voicing of original and infectious dimension. Johnny Lee with his Blue Comets redefines the origins of blues and rhythm oldies ...

Read more articles

Get more of a good thing!

Our weekly newsletter highlights our top stories, our special offers, and upcoming jazz events near you.