Arnold Johnson

Arnold Johnson (March 23, 1893 in Chicago – July 15, 1975 in St. Petersburg, Florida) was an American big band pianist, arranger, composer, and leader during the swing jazz era. He was orchester leader on the popular The Majestic Theater of the Air program on the CBS radio network beginning in 1929.

Johnson worked in a Chinese restaurant in Chicago as a pianist when he was fourteen years old, and also worked as an accompanist for vaudeville revues. He studied at the Chicago College of Music and the American Conservatory of Music. He took a job as a pianist in Rudy Wiedoeft's New York-based Frisco Jass Band in the early 1920s, and also worked briefly in real estate around this time. He formed his own band in the middle of the 1920s, which recorded for Brunswick Records and Vocalion Records; Freddy Martin and Harold Arlen were sidemen in the group. Later, Vic Berton, Bob Chester, and Danny Polo would join the band, which played in the Broadway musicals George White Scandals, Greenwich Village Follies, and Earl Carroll's Sketchbook in 1928-1929. The group performed frequently in dance halls in New York and Chicago.

Johnson disbanded the group in the early 1930s, and became involved in the broadcasting business, working as a director and producer of radio programs such as National Amateur Night.

Birth and Death Data: Born March 22, 1893 (Chicago), Died July 25, 1975 (Florida)

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1917 - 1954

Roles Represented in DAHR: leader, composer, piano, songwriter, arranger

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

Recordings

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Victor B-23378 10-in. 12/16/1919 Oh! Paul Biese’s Novelty Orchestra Jazz/dance band composer  
Victor B-24524 10-in. 10/14/1920 Ping pong poo Vernon Trio Instrumental trio, with oboe composer  
Victor B-24863 10-in. 2/17/1921 My mammy Paul Whiteman Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with piano duet instrumentalist, piano  
Victor C-25005 12-in. 3/16/1921 All for you Paul Whiteman Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, piano, composer  
Victor B-25350 10-in. 6/16/1921 Sweetheart Paul Whiteman Orchestra Jazz/dance band composer  
Victor B-28882 10-in. 11/6/1923 The only girl Jack Chapman Orchestra Jazz/dance band songwriter  
Victor BVE-50553 10-in. 3/22/1929 Tear drops Henry Halstead Orchestra Jazz/dance band composer  
Victor BVE-56107 10-in. 8/23/1929 Don't hang your dreams on a rainbow Bernie Cummins ; New York Biltmore Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo composer  
Victor BVE-57236 10-in. 12/7/1929 Hollywood Ted Weems Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo composer  
Victor BSHQ-72838 10-in. 6/2/1932 Good-bye blues Roane's Pennsylvanians Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solos and vocal chorus composer  
Victor BS-040689 10-in. 8/28/1939 Does your heart beat for me? Carl Lorch Orchestra ; Shirley Dean Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo composer  
Victor MBS-094353 10-in. before 12/22/1953 O Orquesta Luis Arcaraz Jazz/dance band songwriter  
Victor [Trial 1924-11-12-01] 10-in. 11/12/1924 I'm a little black bird looking for a blue bird Florence Mills Female vocal solo, with piano instrumentalist, piano  
Victor [Trial 1924-11-12-02] 10-in. 11/12/1924 Dixie dreams Florence Mills Female vocal solo, with piano instrumentalist, piano  
Columbia 78824 10-in. 11/21/1919 "O" (Oh!) Straight's Trio Instrumental trio composer  
Columbia 78826 10-in. 11/24/1919 "O" (Oh!) Ted Lewis Jazz Band Jazz/dance band composer  
Columbia 78851 10-in. 12/9/1919 "O" (Oh!) Jack Kaufman ; Ted Lewis Jazz Band Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo composer  
Columbia 79759 10-in. 3/7/1921 Dreaming Columbia Saxophone Sextette Saxophone sextet composer  
Columbia 79763 10-in. 3/25/1921 Sweetheart Yerkes Jazarimba Orchestra Jazz/dance band composer  
Columbia 79792 10-in. 3/22/1921 All for you Happy Six Jazz/dance band composer  
Columbia 80754 10-in. 12/29/1922 The lovelight in your eyes Edwin Dale Male vocal solo, with orchestra composer  
Columbia 80819 10-in. 1/31/1923 The lovelight in your eyes Manhattan Dance Orchestra [i.e., Hotel Pennsylvania Orchestra] Jazz/dance band composer  
Columbia 81484 10-in. 1/13/1924 The only girl Leo Reisman Orchestra Jazz/dance band songwriter  
Columbia 148006 10-in. 2/28/1929 Tear drops Lester Cortes ; Jerome Conrad Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo composer  
Columbia W148597 10-in. 6/19/1929 Tear drops Hotel Mark Hopkins Orchestra ; Anson Weeks Jazz/dance band, with male vocal trio composer  
Columbia W148771 10-in. 7/1/1929 Don't hang your dreams on a rainbow Fred Rich Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo composer  
Columbia 148797 10-in. 7/11/1929 Don't hang your dreams on a rainbow Sam Lanin Orchestra ; Arthur Seelig Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo composer  
Columbia W149487 10-in. 11/25/1929 Hollywood Art Gillham Male vocal solo composer  
Columbia W152206 10-in. 6/7/1932 Goodbye blues Art Jarrett Male vocal solo, with jazz/dance band composer  
OKeh S-7146 10-in. Jan. 1920 "O"—(Oh!) Jack Kaufman ; Rega Dance Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo composer  
OKeh S-7922 10-in. May 1921 All for you Hotel Pennsylvania Orchestra [Leo Erdody] Jazz/dance band composer  
OKeh S-70030 10-in. July 1921 Sweetheart Benny Krueger’s Orchestra Jazz/dance band composer  
OKeh S-72065 10-in. 11/15/1923 The only girl Glantz and his Orchestra Jazz/dance band songwriter  
Brunswick [8767a] approximately Sept. 1922 [Unknown title(s)] Arnold Johnson Orchestra Jazz/dance band leader  
Brunswick [8806a] approximately Sept. 1922 [Unknown title(s)] Arnold Johnson Orchestra Jazz/dance band leader  
Brunswick [8981a] approximately Oct. 1922 [Unknown title(s)] Arnold Johnson Orchestra Jazz/dance band leader  
Brunswick 5696-5697 10-in. approximately May 1921 All for you Erdody Pennsylvania Hotel Orchestra Jazz/dance band composer  
Brunswick 8765-8766 10-in. approximately Sept. 1922 Tomorrow Arnold Johnson's Orchestra Jazz/dance band leader  
Brunswick 8811-8812 10-in. approximately Sept. 1922 I wish I knew Arnold Johnson's Orchestra Jazz/dance band leader  
Brunswick 8929-8931 10-in. approximately Oct. 1922 You remind me of my mother Arnold Johnson's Orchestra Jazz/dance band leader  
Brunswick 8932-8934 approximately Oct. 1922 [Unknown title(s)] Arnold Johnson Orchestra Jazz/dance band leader  
Brunswick 8978-8980 10-in. approximately Oct. 1922 When the leaves come tumbling down Arnold Johnson's Orchestra Jazz/dance band leader  
Brunswick 9214-9216 10-in. approximately Nov. 1922 One night in June Arnold Johnson's Orchestra Jazz/dance band leader  
Brunswick 9217-9219 approximately Nov. 1922 [Unknown title(s)] Arnold Johnson Orchestra Jazz/dance band leader  
Brunswick 9246-9248 10-in. approximately Nov. 1922 China boy Arnold Johnson's Orchestra Jazz/dance band leader  
Brunswick 9250-9252 10-in. approximately Nov. 1922 Babylon Arnold Johnson's Orchestra Jazz/dance band leader  
Brunswick 9389-9391 10-in. approximately Dec. 1922 Away down East in Maine Arnold Johnson's Orchestra Jazz/dance band leader  
Brunswick 9392-9394 10-in. approximately Dec. 1922 Crinoline days Arnold Johnson's Orchestra Jazz/dance band leader  
Brunswick 9753-9755 10-in. approximately Jan. 1923 The lovelight in your eyes Arnold Johnson Orchestra Jazz/dance band leader, composer  
Brunswick 9756-9758 10-in. approximately Jan. 1923 Pale Venetian moon Arnold Johnson Orchestra Jazz/dance band leader  
Brunswick 9998-10001 10-in. 2/27/1923 Kiss me Arnold Johnson Orchestra Jazz/dance band leader  
Brunswick 10002-10005 10-in. 2/27/1923 Sweet lovin’ mamma Arnold Johnson Orchestra Jazz/dance band leader  
Brunswick 10184-10186 10-in. 3/27/1923 Dreams of India Arnold Johnson Orchestra Jazz/dance band leader  
Brunswick 10187-10189 10-in. 3/27/1923 Don’t be too sure Arnold Johnson Orchestra Jazz/dance band leader  
Brunswick 10190-10193 10-in. 3/28/1923 Someday you’ll cry over someone as I have cried over you Arnold Johnson Orchestra Jazz/dance band leader  
Brunswick 10197-10199 10-in. 3/28/1923 Gone Arnold Johnson Orchestra Jazz/dance band leader  
Brunswick 15433-15435 10-in. 4/3/1925 Headin’ for home Isham Jones Orchestra Jazz/dance band songwriter  
Brunswick [E27116a] 10-in. 3/23/1928 Together Arnold Johnson Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo leader  
Brunswick E27311 10-in. 4/9/1928 What’s the reason? Arnold Johnson Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal trio; without vocal (take G) leader  
Brunswick E27312 10-in. 4/9/1928 Get your man Arnold Johnson Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal trio; without vocal (take G) leader  
Brunswick E27693 10-in. 6/12/1928 Georgie Porgie Arnold Johnson Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal trio; without vocal (take G) leader  
Brunswick E27709 10-in. 6/14/1928 I’m on the crest of a wave Arnold Johnson Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with vocal effects; without vocal (take G) leader  
Brunswick E27710 10-in. 6/14/1928 Pickin’ cotton Arnold Johnson Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with vocal effects; without vocal (take G) leader  
Brunswick E27711 10-in. 6/14/1928 Radio impressions Arnold Johnson Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with vocal and instrumental effects leader, composer  
Brunswick E27846 10-in. 7/12/1928 What d’ya say? Arnold Johnson Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo; without vocal (take G) leader  
Brunswick E27847 10-in. 7/12/1928 Georgie Porgie Arnold Johnson Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal trio; without vocal (take G) leader  
Brunswick E28127 10-in. 8/22/1928 Rainy day Arnold Johnson’s Hot Band Jazz/dance band leader  
Brunswick E28128 10-in. 8/22/1928 Kisses from you Arnold Johnson’s Hot Band Jazz/dance band leader  
Brunswick E28129 10-in. 8/22/1928 Burlap Arnold Johnson’s Hot Band Jazz/dance band leader  
Brunswick E28331 10-in. 10/5/1928 That’s how I feel about you Arnold Johnson Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo; without vocal (take G) leader  
Brunswick E28332 10-in. 10/5/1928 Was it love? Arnold Johnson Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo; without vocal (take G) leader  
Brunswick E28449 10-in. 10/5/1928 Memories of France Arnold Johnson Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo; without vocal (take G) leader  
Brunswick E28450 10-in. 10/5/1928 You’re in love and I’m in love Arnold Johnson Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo; without vocal (take G) leader  
Brunswick E28660 10-in. 11/9/1928 Me and the man in the moon Arnold Johnson ; Paramount Hotel Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo; without vocal (take G) leader  
Brunswick E28661 10-in. 11/9/1928 Ev’rybody loves you Arnold Johnson ; Paramount Hotel Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo; without vocal (take G) leader  
Brunswick E29002 10-in. 12/20/1928 My Tonia Arnold Johnson ; Paramount Hotel Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo; without vocal (take G) leader  
Brunswick E29003 10-in. 12/20/1928 My inspiration is you Arnold Johnson ; Paramount Hotel Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo; without vocal (take G) leader  
Brunswick E29220 10-in. Feb. 1929 Tear drops Arnold Johnson Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with vocal; without vocal (take G) leader, composer  
Brunswick E29221 10-in. Feb. 1929 That’s music to my ears Arnold Johnson Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with vocal; without vocal (take G) leader  
Brunswick E29599 10-in. Apr. 1929 Breakaway Arnold Johnson Orchestra ; Scrappy Lambert Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo; without vocal (take G) leader  
Brunswick E29700 10-in. Apr. 1929 Big city blues Arnold Johnson Orchestra ; Scrappy Lambert Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo; without vocal (take G) leader  
Brunswick E29701 10-in. Apr. 1929 Tear drops Arnold Johnson Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo; without vocal (take G) leader, composer  
Brunswick E29808 10-in. May 1929 Breakaway Arnold Johnson Orchestra Jazz/dance band leader  
Brunswick E29809 10-in. May 1929 Big city blues Arnold Johnson Orchestra Jazz/dance band leader  
Brunswick E30096 10-in. June 1929 Don’t hang your dreams on a rainbow Arnold Johnson Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with vocal; without vocal (take G) leader, composer  
Brunswick E30097 10-in. June 1929 Pretty little maid of old Madrid Arnold Johnson Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo; without vocal (take G) leader, songwriter  
Brunswick E26534-E26536 10-in. 2/16/1928 I‘m riding to glory Arnold Johnson Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal quintet; without vocal (take E26536) leader  
Brunswick E26723-E26726 10-in. 2/28/1928 After my laughter came tears Harold Arluck ; Arnold Johnson Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with vocal sextet; without vocal (take E26726) leader, arranger  
Brunswick E27035-E27037 10-in. 3/17/1928 Ma belle Arnold Johnson Orchestra ; Lewis James Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo; without vocal (take E27037) leader, instrumentalist, piano  
Brunswick E27038-E27040 10-in. 3/17/1928 March of the musketeers Arnold Johnson Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal trio; without vocal (take E27040) instrumentalist, piano, leader  
Brunswick E27127-E27129 10-in. 3/26/1928 Happy Go Lucky Lane Arnold Johnson Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo and vocal effects; without vocal (take E27129) arranger, leader  
Brunswick E27130-E27132 10-in. 3/26/1928 Together Arnold Johnson Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo and vocal effects; without vocal (take E27132) arranger, leader  
Brunswick C4708 10-in. 11/6/1929 Hollywood Oriole Orchestra ; Dan A. Russo Jazz/dance band, with vocal; without vocal (take G) composer  
Brunswick C4757 10-in. 11/27/1929 Hollywood Oriole Orchestra ; Dan A. Russo Jazz/dance band, with vocal; without vocal (take G) composer  
Edison 5553 10-in. 5/10/1917 Johnson "jass" blues Frisco "Jass" Band Jazz/dance band composer  
Edison 7155 10-in. 2/10/1920 "O" (Oh!) Billy Murray Male vocal solo, with orchestra composer  
Edison 7782 10-in. 2/8/1921 All for you Harry Raderman's Jazz Orchestra Jazz/dance band composer  
Edison 8013 10-in. 5/24/1921 Sweetheart Max Fells' Della Robbia Orchestra Jazz/dance band composer  
Edison 19198 10-in. 5/17/1929 Tear drops Oreste Queensland Orchestra ; The Rollickers [Edison] Jazz/dance band, with male vocal quartet composer  
Edison 19284 10-in. 7/9/1929 Don't hang your dreams on a rainbow Waldo Mayo Violin solo, with instrumental ensemble and mixed vocal ensemble composer  
Edison N-902 10-in. 5/17/1929 Tear drops Oreste Queensland Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal quartet composer  
Edison N-1009 10-in. 7/9/1929 Don't hang your dreams on a rainbow Waldo Mayo Violin solo, with instrumental ensemble and mixed vocal ensemble composer  
Gramophone 0PC1038 10-in. 12/16/1954 '0" Conjunto Mário Simôes Male vocal solo, with instrumental ensemble composer  

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Johnson, Arnold," accessed November 25, 2024, https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/110539.

Johnson, Arnold. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved November 25, 2024, from https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/110539.

"Johnson, Arnold." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 25 November 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/110539

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