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Lonnie Johnson

Lonnie Johnson was the “governor” of blues guitar in the 1920’s. His playing combined incredibly fast melodic runs with evocative blues licks. His playing was the forerunner of jazz and rock guitar. Lonnie Johnson’s playing is highly challenging, provocative and exciting. His recordings from the 1920s were highly influential among bluesmen and widely imitated. His incredible skill on the fingerboard also made him popular among jazz players. Lonnie recorded countless solo records as well as accompanying Texas Alexander, Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington and Eddie Lang. Though he did not possess a country blues background, the New Orleans-born guitarist exemplified a high caliber of musicianship while retaining a strong feeling for the blues. His fluid single note lines and advanced flat-picking technique served as a model for early jazz guitarists and a host of Delta bluesmen. Born and raised in New Orleans, by his late teens, Lonnie played in his father's family band at banquets and weddings, performing on guitar and violin alongside his brother James "Steady Roll" Johnson. Johnson eventually played jobs with jazz trumpeter Punch Miller in New Orleans' Storyville district. He also played blues on violin at the Iroquois Theatre and Pineri's in the French Quarter. Though folk blues songsters were not the most popular form of entertainment in the cultural world of New Orleans, Johnson no doubt absorbed their influence, (he worked the Storyville district from 1910-1917) In 1917 Johnson traveled to England to perform with a revue show. In 1920 Johnson traveled to St. Louis and, for the next two years, performed with Missouri-born trumpeter Charlie Creath's Jazz-O-Maniacs on riverboat steamer SS St. Paul, and on the SS Capitol with the band of Kentucky-born pianist Fate Marable. Johnson also spent a considerable amount of time in St. Louis, Texas, New York, and Chicago while performing in theaters and on riverboats, strongly influencing the musicians based in each of these areas. In 1924 Johnson toured with the comedy act of Clenn & Jenkins and performed with his brother James, at Katy's Red Club in East St. Louis. He subsequently worked the TOBA circuit, and by 1925 won a talent contest at the Booker T. Washington Theatre sponsored by Okeh Records; as part of the prize he received a recording contract with the company. In November 1925, just prior to his own session for Okeh, he made his recording debut with Creath's Jazz-O-Maniacs, playing violin and singing on "Won't Don't Blues." Two days later, he recorded his first session for Okeh, accompanied by violinist De Louise Searcy and pianist John Arnold, turning out two numbers "Mr.

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194
Album Review

Lonnie Johnson: The Unsung Blues Legend

Read "The Unsung Blues Legend" reviewed by AAJ Staff


Blues Magnet Records has slipped into distribution, quietly and without due clamor, one of the more significant blues documents of the year. The Unsung Blues Legend presents seminal blues and jazz guitarist Lonnie Johnson performing alone in 1965 at the home of his friend and painter, Bernie Strassberg. Due to the fact that Johnson died from complications sustained in an automobile accident in Toronto five years later, The Unsung Blues Legend represents a summary of a long life in music, ...

177
Album Review

Lonnie Johnson: The Unsung Blues Legend (The Living Room Session)

Read "The Unsung Blues Legend (The Living Room Session)" reviewed by Glenn Astarita


Born in New Orleans, La. the late and now legendary guitarist-singer-songwriter Lonnie Johnson recorded with Louis Armstrong’s fabled and at the time (1927) - innovative “Hot Five”, while also recording with Duke Ellington and pioneering guitarist Eddie Lang. A brilliant and inspirational guitarist to more than just a few, Johnson didn’t always garner the respect he so well deserved. Interestingly enough, this newly released recording, The Unsung Blues Legend comprises material recorded at jazz and blues devotee, Bernie Strassberg’s living ...

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Birthday

Jazz Musician of the Day: Lonnie Johnson

Jazz Musician of the Day: Lonnie Johnson

Source: Michael Ricci


Birthday

Jazz Musician of the Day: Lonnie Johnson

Jazz Musician of the Day: Lonnie Johnson

Source: Michael Ricci


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Birthday

Jazz Musician of the Day: Lonnie Johnson

Jazz Musician of the Day: Lonnie Johnson

Source:

All About Jazz is celebrating Lonnie Johnson's birthday today!

Lonnie Johnson - guitar, multi instrumentalist, vocalist (1899 - 1970) Lonnie Johnson was the “governor” of blues guitar in the 1920’s. His playing combined incredibly fast melodic runs with evocative blues licks. His playing was the forerunner of jazz and rock guitar. Lonnie Johnson’s playing is highly challenging, provocative and exciting...Lonnie Johnson - guitar, multi instrumentalist, vocalist (1899 - 1970) Lonnie Johnson was the “governor” of blues guitar in the 1920’s. ...

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Birthday

Jazz Musician of the Day: Lonnie Johnson

Jazz Musician of the Day: Lonnie Johnson

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118

Birthday

Jazz Musician of the Day: Lonnie Johnson

Jazz Musician of the Day: Lonnie Johnson

Source: Michael Ricci


180

Birthday

Jazz Musician of the Day: Lonnie Johnson

Jazz Musician of the Day: Lonnie Johnson

Source: Michael Ricci

All About Jazz is celebrating Lonnie Johnson's birthday today!

JAZZ MUSICIAN OF THE DAY Lonnie Johnson

Lonnie Johnson - guitar, multi instrumentalist, vocalist (1899 - 1970) Lonnie Johnson was the “governor” of blues guitar in the 1920’s. His playing combined incredibly fast melodic runs with evocative blues licks... more

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LONNIE JOHNSON'S NEW RELEASE

LONNIE JOHNSON'S NEW RELEASE

Source: All About Jazz


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Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

The Original Guitar...

Proper Records
2005

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The Unsung Blues...

Blues Magnet Records
2001

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The Unsung Blues...

Blues Magnet Records
2000

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