Birth name Gus Johnson Name Gus Johnson Occupation(s) Musician Role Drummer | Instruments Drums Genres Swing music, Big band Years active 1922–1990 | |
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Born November 15, 1913
Tyler, Texas, U.S. ( 1913-11-15 ) Died February 6, 2000, Denver, Colorado, United States Albums Ella in Berlin: Mack the Knife Music groups Count Basie Orchestra (1949 – 1954), World's Greatest Jazz Band Similar People Gene Ramey, Ralph Sutton, Milt Hinton, Ernie Wilkins, Jay McShann | ||
Gus johnson boogie woogie drumming with jay mcshann his orchestra hootie s ignorant oil
Gus Johnson (November 15, 1913 – February 6, 2000) was an American swing drummer in various jazz bands, born in Tyler, Texas, United States. After learning to play drums from his next-door neighbor, Johnson occasionally played professionally at the age of ten in the Lincoln Theater, and performed in various local groups, most notable McDavid's Blue Rhythm Band. Upon graduating from Booker T. Washington High School, Johnson moved to Kansas City, where he took up drumming full-time. He joined Jay McShann's Orchestra in 1938, with his music career being interrupted by his conscription into the military in 1943.
Contents
- Gus johnson boogie woogie drumming with jay mcshann his orchestra hootie s ignorant oil
- Discography
- References
In 1945, Johnson returned from his stint in the military, and relocated to Chicago to perform in the Jesse Miller Band. He subsequently played alongside Count Basie and was recorded on the album Basie Rides Again in 1952. Following a recovery from appendicitis Johnson was featured in numerous groups and dozens of recordings in the 1960s. In 1972, his former bandmates from Jay McShann's Orchestra reconvened to record Going to Kansas City. Although Johnson continued to tour into the 1980s, he developed Alzheimer's disease in 1989, which he struggled with until his death on February 6, 2000.
Discography
With Manny Albam
With Count Basie
With Lawrence Brown
With Buck Clayton
With Al Cohn
With Willie Dixon and Memphis Slim
With Coleman Hawkins
With Willis Jackson
With Herbie Mann
With Gerry Mulligan
With Joe Newman
With Chico O'Farrill
With Oscar Pettiford
With Zoot Sims
With Ralph Sutton and Ruby Braff
With Ralph Sutton and Jay McShann
With Ralph Sutton and Kenny Davern
With Kai Winding