
Biography
James Price Johnson, 1 February 1894, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA, d. 17 November 1955, New York City, New York, USA. Taught piano by his mother, Johnson assimilated a wide range of musical styles. In the years following his familys relocation to New York, he continued his studies and by his late teens was working in clubs in the Hells Kitchen district. Johnson was adept in ragtime, blues, and all the popular musical forms of the day. He was also a capable performer of classical music. By the early 20s Johnson was a leading light on New Yorks burgeoning jazz scene and was already known for his compositions, including Carolina Shout, which demanded virtuoso technical ability. During this period Johnson became the acknowledged master of stride piano. He attracted the attention of Broadway producers and in 1923 composed the musical Runnin Wild, in which he introduced his composition The Charleston. He also engaged the...
Read the Full Biography of James P. Johnson
|

Search for Products by James P. Johnson
|