Born In Minneapolis (December 12, 1954), Jeff Johnson ("Free" to some of his colleagues) left at age 20, spending time in Philadelphia and New York, and has worked with jazz musicians including Philly Joe Jones, Charlie Rouse, Barney Kessel, Chet Baker, Lew Tabackin, Eddie Daniels, Joanne Brackeen, Julian Priester, Billy Hart, George Cables, Bud Shank, Claudio Roditti, and Michael Wolfe. Vocalists who have been accompanied by Johnson include Jay Clayton, Ernestine Anderson, Karrin Allyson, Mark Murphy, Rebecca Parris, Annie Ross and Marlena Shaw.
Johnson met Jessica Williams in Seattle in 1991 and Hal Galper at the Port Townsend Festival in 1993.
He now leads various small ensembles, composes, goes on the road frequently and is involved in numerous projects, and recording dates around the world.
Harbinger (1984)My Heart (1992)Area 51 (1992)Lost Men (1993)Maybeck Duets (1998) with Hal GalperFree (1999)The Art of Falling (2001)Scenes (2001) with ScenesWinter: An Origin Records Holiday Collection (2002) with Hans Teuber, Dave Peterson and John Bishop (Drummer)Near Earth (2004)Along the Way (2006) with ScenesFurious Rubato (2007) with Hal Galper and John Bishop (drummer)Tall Stranger (2008)Suitcase (2011) on Origin Records with Hans Teuber (Saxophones, Bass Clarinet, Alto Flute), Steve Moore (Piano), Eric Eagle (Drums)A Gift (1988) Art ResnickA Glance Back (1992) Richard Cole (saxophonist)Walk Spirit, Talk Spirit (1992) John BishopMomentum (1994) Jessica WilliamsA Song That I Heard (1994) Jessica WilliamsLive at Vartan Jazz (1994) Hal Galper TrioIn the Pocket (1994) Jessica WilliamsInventions (1995) Jessica WilliamsRebop (1995) Hal Galper Trio plus Jerry BergonziJoy (1996) Jessica WilliamsFugue State (1997) Hal Galper TrioChoked Up (1997) SharpshootersNow...Here...This (1997) Mike DennyMothers Day in Albuquerque (1998) Bert WilsonSweet Beat Blues (1998) Hal GalperJessica's Blues (1998) Jessica WilliamsForever (1998) Jan Stentz GroupWish (1998) Kendra ShankIn a Mellow Tone (1999) Ben BlackSuddenly It's Bruno (1999) Jack BrownlowHere and Now (1999) Steve KornLet's Call This That (1999) Hal GalperLatina by Proxy (2000) Wenda ZonnefeldRemembered Faces/Private Places (2001) Ben BlackThe Wizard (2001) Aaron ParksOut of Seattle (2002) Dave PeckHouse of Jade (2004) Bill Macdonough QuartetParallel Tracks (2004) Randy HalberstadtIndividuation (2004) Thomas MarriottNothing if Not Something (2004) John BishopGood Road (2005) Dave PeckBoth Side of the Fence (2006) Thomas MarriottMore to The Ear than Meets the Eye (2006) Bill AnschellShopping For Your Heart (2007) Jeff BakerBlack Hills (2007) Tad BrittonShade (2008) Richard ColeOne More Mile (2008) Brent Jensen et al.Harry's Fight (2008) Katie KingFlexicon (2009) Thomas MarriottApothecary (2009) on Origin Records with Jon Alberts (piano) and Tad Britton (Drums)E Pluribus Unum: Live in Seattle (2010) with Hal GalperAiregin Revisited (2012) on Origin Records with Hal Galper (piano) and John Bishop (drums)2001 Earshot Jazz Instrumentalist of the Year2002 Northwest Recording of the Year, The Art of Falling2011 Inducted into the Seattle Jazz Hall of Fame 