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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 201-225 of 258 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Brunswick C6137 10-in. Sept. 1930 If I could be with you Tom Gerun Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with vocal; without vocal (take G) composer  
Brunswick C7913 10-in. 7/27/1931 I need lovin’ Jimmie Noone Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo songwriter  
Brunswick LAE275-LAE275A 10-in. 9/19/1928 Alabama stomp Phil Phillips Orchestra Jazz/dance band composer  
Brunswick 789W-791W 10-in. 5/13/1925 Charleston Selvin’s Orchestra Jazz/dance band composer  
Brunswick 1130W-1132W 10-in. 8/12/1925 Charleston Tennessee Tooters Jazz/dance band composer  
Brunswick DAL140 10-in. 9/24/1935 Old fashioned love Bob Wills and his Texas Playboys String band, with male vocal solo composer  
Edison 9223 10-in. 10/25/1923 Open your heart Charlie Kerr Orchestra Jazz/dance band composer  
Edison 9362 10-in. 2/1/1924 Old fashioned love Broadway Dance Orchestra Jazz/dance band songwriter  
Edison 10292 10-in. 4/2/1925 Charleston Golden Gate Orchestra [California Ramblers] Jazz/dance band composer  
Edison 11245 10-in. 10/13/1926 Alabama stomp Red and Miff's Stompers Jazz/dance band composer  
Edison N-1174 10-in. 10/3/1929 You don't understand Eva Taylor Female vocal solo, with piano songwriter  
Decca 64970 10-in. 2/1/1939 I'm tired of fattenin' frogs for snakes Rosetta Crawford instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 64971 10-in. 2/1/1939 Stop it Joe Rosetta Crawford instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 64972 10-in. 2/1/1939 My man jumped salty on me Rosetta Crawford instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 64973 10-in. 2/1/1939 Double crossin' Papa Rosetta Crawford instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 71979 4/12/1944 I've got a feeling I'm falling James P. Johnson instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 71980 10-in. 4/12/1944 My fate is in your hands James P. Johnson instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 71981 10-in. 4/12/1944 Ain't misbehavin' James P. Johnson instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 71982 4/12/1944 Blue turning grey over you James P. Johnson instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 72007 10-in. 4/20/1944 I'm gonna sit right down and write myself a letter James P. Johnson instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 72008 4/20/1944 Keepin' out of mischief now James P. Johnson instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 72009 10-in. 4/20/1944 Squeeze me James P. Johnson instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 72010 10-in. 4/20/1944 Honeysuckle rose James P. Johnson instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 72233 10-in. 6/8/1944 I've got a feeling I'm falling James P. Johnson instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 72234 10-in. 6/8/1944 Honeysuckle rose James P. Johnson instrumentalist, piano  
(Results 201-225 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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