HENRY JOHNSON
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HENRY JOHNSON

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Music

The best kept secret in music

Press


"Jazz Bakery Benefit"

“Henry Johnson, a fine guitarist, proved to be a compelling vocalist as well. His duets with Nancy Wilson were particularly impressive, his warm-toned phrasing a pleasent contrast to Wilson’s.”
Don Heckman -
- Los Angeles Times


"Organic Review"

“Throughout Organic, the guitarist and vocalist tastefully intertwines the seemingly disparate genres of organ-combo jazz and timeless velvety singing.”
Chris J. Walker -
- Jazz Times Magazine


"Henry Johnson Review"

“Henry Johnson is a fantastic player and it is a rare treat to hear him in a pure jazz setting. Johnson is the kind of storyteller like Wes Montgomery or Clifford Brown that you never tire of listening to.”
Adrian Ingram -
- Just Jazz Guitar Magazine


""Organic" CD Review"

“This is guitar-organ trio heaven. His command of the instrument is unquestionable, with a feel that brings to mind George Benson, Wes Montgomery, Grant Green, and Kenny Burrell.”
John Heidt -
- Vintage Guitar Magazine


""Organic" Is Indeed Organic"

“If the Modern Jazz Quartet had been an organ-guitar trio, it would have sounded a lot like this. This should be no surprise, as guitarist (and vocalist) Henry Johnson is at the helm of a seamless rhythm section.”
C. Michael Bailey -
- All About Jazz


Discography

As A Leader :
Youre The One - MCA/Impulse!
Future Excursions - MCA/Impulse!
Never Too Much - MCA/Impulse!
New Beginnings - HeadsUp International
Missing You - HeadsUp International
An Evening At Sea - Chiaroscuro
Organic - with Nancy Wilson - A440 Music

As A Sideman
Joe Williams :
Every Night - Verve/Polygram
In Good Company - Verve/Polygram
Blues and Ballad Master - Verve/Polygram

Ramsey Lewis :
Three Piece Suite - CBS/Columbia
Live at the Savoy - CBS/Columbia
Live at Blues Alley - BAMS
Ivory Pyramid - GRP/MCA
Sky Island - GRP/MCA
Dance of the Soul - GRP/MCA
Ramsey Lewis & Nancy Wilson
Simple Pleasures - Narada Jazz

Norman Simmons :
The Heat and the Sweet - Miljac
The Art of Norman Simmons - Savant
Synthesis - Savant

Richie Cole :
Profile - HeadsUp International
Junior Mance :
The Floating Jazz Festival Trio - Chariscuro
Vanessa Rubin :
The Language of Love - Telarc Records
George Jinda :
Between Dreams - Shanachie/Cachet
The Whispers :
More of the Night - Capitol Records
Joe McBride :
Grace - HeadsUp International
Urban Knights :
Urban Knights I - GRP Records
Urban Knights V - Narada Jazz

Photos

Bio

The Chicago-born guitarist began playing at age twelve. While spending some formative time in Memphis, he started playing gospel music at age thirteen. By age fourteen, Johnson was playing in R&B groups. Although Johnson's parents brought him up hearing the music of Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Joe Williams, and other artists of that era, it was not until 1967 that Johnson was formally introduced to jazz by hearing guitarist Wes Montgomery.

In 1976, he went on the road with jazz organist Jack McDuff. In 1979, Johnson began playing with jazz pianist, Ramsey Lewis. And in 1985, jazz legend, Joe Williams added Johnson to his regular group and recorded several important cds with Johnson at the helm of the guitar. "You're The One", his recording debut for MCA/Impulse! achieved #1 status on both the Radio & Records NAC chart, and Contemporary Jazz chart for two months-a rare occurrence for a first recording. This recording also won a five star rating in Downbeat magazine, and was nominated for a Grammy. In addition to his solo recording projects, Johnson has found time to record with the likes of Ramsey Lewis, vocalists, Joe Williams and Vanessa Ruben, and saxophonist Richie Cole among many others. He has performed with Nancy Wilson, Marlena Shaw, Angela Bofil, Dizzy Gillespie,the Boston Pops, Sonny Stitt, Freddie Hubbard, Grover Washington Jr., Stanley Turrentine, and organist Jimmy Smith, and many other jazz artists.Johnson's latest group has been patterned after the hard swinging jazz groups of the '60's using the instrumentation of guitar, saxophone, organ, and drums. It is this powerhouse group that has been exciting audiences the world over as evident by the latest recording, "Organic" - with Nancy Wilson.