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James P. Johnson

James Price Johnson (February 1, 1894 – November 17, 1955) was an American pianist and composer. A pioneer of stride piano, he was one of the most important pianists in the early era of recording, and like Jelly Roll Morton, one of the key figures in the evolution of ragtime into what was eventually called jazz. Johnson was a major influence on Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Art Tatum, Thelonious Monk, and Fats Waller, who was his student.

Johnson composed many hit songs, including the unofficial anthem of the Roaring Twenties, "The Charleston", and he remained the acknowledged king of New York jazz pianists through most of the 1930s. Johnson's artistry, influence on early popular music, and contributions to musical theatre are often overlooked, and as such, he has been referred to by musicologist David Schiff as "The Invisible Pianist."

Birth and Death Data: Born February 1, 1894 (New Brunswick), Died November 17, 1955 (New York City)

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1918 - 1951

Roles Represented in DAHR: piano, composer, songwriter, leader, director, lyricist, banjo, guitar

Notes: Sometimes listed as Jimmy Johnson.

= Recordings are available for online listening.
= Recordings were issued from this master. No recordings issued from other masters.

Recordings (Results 26-50 of 258 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Victor BVE-62180 10-in. 6/2/1930 Clean it out Teddy Bunn ; Spencer Williams Male vocal duet, with piano, guitar, and washboard instrumentalist, piano  
Victor BVE-62181 10-in. 6/2/1930 Blow it up Teddy Bunn ; Spencer Williams Male vocal duet, with instrumental trio instrumentalist, piano  
Victor BVE-62920 10-in. 10/29/1930 If I could be with you one hour to-night Hurley Kaylor Piano solo composer  
Victor BVE-63622 10-in. 9/4/1930 If I could be with you (one hour tonight) Gene Austin Male vocal solo, with instrumental ensemble composer  
Victor BVE-64070 10-in. 3/2/1931 I need lovin' Blanche Calloway and her Joy Boys Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo songwriter  
Victor ABRC-68236 10-in. 6/11/1931 When I can't be with you Fred Armstrong and his Syncopators Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo songwriter  
Victor BRC-69023 10-in. 5/8/1931 A porter's love song to a chambermaid Washboard Rhythm Kings Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo composer  
Victor BRC-69025 10-in. 5/8/1931 Misery Blanche Calloway and her Joy Boys Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo composer  
Victor BRC-69683 10-in. 6/3/1931 Thumpin' 'n' bumpin' Eubie Blake’s Orchestra ; Dick Robertson Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo songwriter  
Victor BRC-70109 10-in. 7/1/1931 When I can't be with you Carolina Dandies Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo songwriter  
Victor BVE-72617 10-in. 5/4/1932 Old fashioned love in my heart Joe Haymes Orchestra ; Jimmy Underwood Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo songwriter  
Victor BS-75999 10-in. 8/1/1933 Got that old fashioned love in my heart Herb Cook and his Three Little Words Vocal quartet, with piano songwriter  
Victor BS-82392 10-in. 5/7/1934 Old fashioned love Mezz Mezzrow Orchestra Jazz/dance band songwriter  
Victor BS-82526 10-in. 5/16/1934 A porter's love song to a chambermaid Fats Waller and his Rhythm Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo composer  
Victor BS-94133 10-in. 8/26/1935 Old fashioned love Freddie Jenkins' Harlem Seven ; Jasper Thomas ; Kirby Walker Jazz/dance band, with male vocal duet songwriter  
Victor BS-96504 10-in. 11/22/1935 If I could be with you (One hour tonight) Benny Goodman Orchestra Jazz/dance band songwriter  
Victor BS-99161 10-in. 2/16/1936 Stop that dog (He's goin' mad) Hotel Charlotte Orchestra ; Bob Pope ; Dixie Lee Sothern Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo composer  
Victor BS-03840 10-in. 12/24/1936 Havin' a ball Fats Waller and his Rhythm Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo composer  
Victor BS-028988 10-in. 11/21/1938 Revolutionary blues Mezz Mezzrow Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, piano  
Victor BS-028989 10-in. 11/21/1938 Comin' on with the come on Mezz Mezzrow Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, piano  
Victor BS-028990 10-in. 11/21/1938 Comin' on with the come on Mezz Mezzrow Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, piano  
Victor BS-028991 10-in. 11/21/1938 Swingin' for "Mezz" Mezz Mezzrow Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, piano  
Victor BS-031258 10-in. 1/9/1939 You, you, you Les Brown Orchestra ; Herb Muse Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo composer  
Victor BS-031260 10-in. 1/9/1939 Harlem woogie Les Brown Orchestra ; Herb Muse Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo composer  
Victor BS-031460 10-in. 1/13/1939 Rosetta Frankie Newton Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, piano  
(Results 26-50 of 258 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Johnson, James P.," accessed November 1, 2024, https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/103380.

Johnson, James P.. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved November 1, 2024, from https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/103380.

"Johnson, James P.." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 1 November 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/103380

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