William Johnson
William Luther Johnson (September 30, 1912 – July 5, 1960) was an American alto saxophonist, clarinetist, and arranger. |
Birth and Death Data: Born September 30, 1912 (Jacksonville), Died July 5, 1960
Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1938 - 1947
Roles Represented in DAHR: saxophone, leader, vocalist, composer, songwriter, guitar
= 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 | BS-026855 | 10-in. | 9/12/1938 | (Shango, shango, shangoree) Rockin' rollers' jubilee | Erskine Hawkins Orchestra | Jazz/dance band | instrumentalist, saxophone | |
| Victor | BS-026856 | 10-in. | 9/12/1938 | I'm madly in love with you | Erskine Hawkins Orchestra ; Merle Turner | Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo | instrumentalist, saxophone | |
| Victor | BS-026857 | 10-in. | 9/12/1938 | Let this be a warning to you, baby | Erskine Hawkins Orchestra ; Jimmy Mitchell | Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo | instrumentalist, saxophone | |
| Victor | BS-026858 | 10-in. | 9/12/1938 | Miss Hallelujah Brown | Erskine Hawkins Orchestra | Jazz/dance band | instrumentalist, saxophone | |
| Victor | BS-026859 | 10-in. | 9/12/1938 | Weary blues | Erskine Hawkins Orchestra | Jazz/dance band | instrumentalist, saxophone | |
| Victor | BS-026860 | 10-in. | 9/12/1938 | King Porter stomp | Erskine Hawkins Orchestra | Jazz/dance band | instrumentalist, saxophone | |
| Victor | BS-027958 | 10-in. | 10/20/1938 | Strictly swing | Erskine Hawkins Orchestra | Jazz/dance band | instrumentalist, saxophone | |
| Victor | BS-027959 | 10-in. | 10/20/1938 | Do you want to jump, children? | Erskine Hawkins Orchestra ; Jimmy Mitchell | Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo | instrumentalist, saxophone | |
| Victor | BS-027960 | 10-in. | 10/20/1938 | (Oh! Oh!) What do you know about love? | Erskine Hawkins Orchestra ; Ida James | Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo | instrumentalist, saxophone | |
| Victor | BS-027961 | 10-in. | 10/20/1938 | A study in blue | Erskine Hawkins Orchestra | Jazz/dance band | instrumentalist, saxophone | |
| Victor | BS-027962 | 10-in. | 10/20/1938 | Easy rider (I wonder where my easy rider's gone) | Erskine Hawkins Orchestra | Jazz/dance band | instrumentalist, saxophone | |
| Victor | BS-027963 | 10-in. | 10/20/1938 | Because of you | Erskine Hawkins Orchestra ; Jimmy Mitchell | Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo | instrumentalist, saxophone | |
| Victor | BS-035719 | 10-in. | 4/8/1939 | "I," the living "I" | Erskine Hawkins Orchestra ; Ida James | Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo | instrumentalist, saxophone | |
| Victor | BS-035720 | 10-in. | 4/8/1939 | Let the punishment fit the crime | Erskine Hawkins Orchestra ; Jimmy Mitchell | Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo | instrumentalist, saxophone | |
| Victor | BS-035721 | 10-in. | 4/8/1939 | Swing out (Theme song of Erskine Hawkins) | Erskine Hawkins Orchestra | Jazz/dance band | instrumentalist, saxophone | |
| Victor | BS-035722 | 10-in. | 4/8/1939 | Raid the joint | Erskine Hawkins Orchestra | Jazz/dance band | instrumentalist, saxophone | |
| Victor | BS-036943 | 10-in. | 5/14/1939 | Big-wig in the wigwam | Erskine Hawkins Orchestra ; Ida James | Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo | instrumentalist, saxophone | |
| Victor | BS-036944 | 10-in. | 5/14/1939 | Polka dotty (Come out tonight) | Erskine Hawkins Orchestra ; Jimmy Mitchell | Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo | instrumentalist, saxophone | |
| Victor | BS-036945 | 10-in. | 5/14/1939 | No soap | Julius Dash ; Erskine Hawkins Orchestra | Jazz/dance band, with saxophone solo | instrumentalist, saxophone | |
| Victor | BS-036946 | 10-in. | 5/14/1939 | Swingin' on Lenox Avenue | Erskine Hawkins Orchestra | Jazz/dance band | composer, instrumentalist, saxophone | |
| Victor | BS-038418 | 10-in. | 7/18/1939 | Hot platter | Erskine Hawkins Orchestra | Jazz/dance band | instrumentalist, saxophone | |
| Victor | BS-038419 | 10-in. | 7/18/1939 | Gin mill special | Erskine Hawkins Orchestra | Jazz/dance band | instrumentalist, saxophone | |
| Victor | BS-038420 | 10-in. | 7/18/1939 | Cherry | Erskine Hawkins Orchestra ; Jimmy Mitchell | Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo | instrumentalist, saxophone | |
| Victor | BS-038421 | 10-in. | 7/18/1939 | Tuxedo Junction | Erskine Hawkins Orchestra | Jazz/dance band | composer, instrumentalist, saxophone | |
| Victor | BS-038422 | 10-in. | 7/18/1939 | Weddin' blues | Erskine Hawkins Orchestra | Jazz/dance band | composer, instrumentalist, saxophone | |
| Victor | BS-041378 | 10-in. | 10/2/1939 | You can't escape from me | Erskine Hawkins Orchestra ; Jimmy Mitchell | Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo | instrumentalist, saxophone | |
| Victor | BS-041379 | 10-in. | 10/2/1939 | Rehearsal in love | Dolores Brown ; Erskine Hawkins Orchestra | Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo | instrumentalist, saxophone | |
| Victor | BS-041380 | 10-in. | 10/2/1939 | Satan does the rhumba | Erskine Hawkins Orchestra | Jazz/dance band | instrumentalist, saxophone | |
| Victor | BS-041381 | 10-in. | 10/2/1939 | More than you know | Dolores Brown ; Erskine Hawkins Orchestra | Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo | instrumentalist, saxophone | |
| Victor | BS-041382 | 10-in. | 10/2/1939 | Uptown shuffle | Erskine Hawkins Orchestra | Jazz/dance band | composer, instrumentalist, saxophone | |
| Victor | BS-045784 | 10-in. | 12/20/1939 | I hadn't anyone till you | Dolores Brown ; Erskine Hawkins Orchestra | Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo | instrumentalist, saxophone | |
| Victor | BS-045785 | 10-in. | 12/20/1939 | Baltimore bounce | Erskine Hawkins Orchestra | Jazz/dance band | instrumentalist, saxophone | |
| Victor | BS-045786 | 10-in. | 12/20/1939 | Fine and mellow | Dolores Brown ; Erskine Hawkins Orchestra | Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo | instrumentalist, saxophone | |
| Victor | BS-045787 | 10-in. | 12/20/1939 | Saboo (Doing the saboo) | Erskine Hawkins Orchestra | Jazz/dance band | instrumentalist, saxophone | |
| Victor | BS-046786 | 10-in. | 2/5/1940 | Tuxedo junction | Glenn Miller Orchestra | Jazz/dance band | composer | |
| Victor | BS-047277 | 10-in. | 2/27/1940 | Dolomite | Erskine Hawkins Orchestra | Jazz/dance band | composer, instrumentalist, saxophone | |
| Victor | BS-047278 | 10-in. | 2/27/1940 | Midnight stroll | Erskine Hawkins Orchestra | Jazz/dance band | instrumentalist, saxophone | |
| Victor | BS-047279 | 10-in. | 2/27/1940 | Whispering grass | Erskine Hawkins Orchestra ; Jimmy Mitchell | Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo | instrumentalist, saxophone | |
| Victor | BS-047280 | 10-in. | 2/27/1940 | Gabriel meets the duke | Erskine Hawkins Orchestra | Jazz/dance band | instrumentalist, saxophone | |
| Victor | BS-050157 | 10-in. | 4/26/1940 | Song of the wanderer (Where shall I go?) | Erskine Hawkins Orchestra ; Jimmy Mitchell | Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo | instrumentalist, saxophone | |
| Victor | BS-050158 | 10-in. | 4/26/1940 | Too many dreams | Dolores Brown ; Erskine Hawkins Orchestra | Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo | instrumentalist, saxophone | |
| Victor | BS-050159 | 10-in. | 4/26/1940 | You bring me down | Dolores Brown ; Erskine Hawkins Orchestra | Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo | instrumentalist, saxophone | |
| Victor | BS-051260 | 10-in. | 6/10/1940 | Junction blues | Erskine Hawkins Orchestra | Jazz/dance band | instrumentalist, saxophone | |
| Victor | BS-051261 | 10-in. | 6/10/1940 | Sweet Georgia Brown | Paul Bascomb ; Erskine Hawkins Orchestra | Jazz/dance band, with tenor saxophone solo | instrumentalist, saxophone | |
| Victor | BS-051262 | 10-in. | 6/10/1940 | Ashes in the tray | Dolores Brown ; Erskine Hawkins Orchestra | Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo | instrumentalist, saxophone | |
| Victor | BS-051263 | 10-in. | 6/10/1940 | Five o'clock whistle | Erskine Hawkins Orchestra | Jazz/dance band | instrumentalist, saxophone | |
| Victor | BS-051264 | 10-in. | 6/10/1940 | After hours | Erskine Hawkins Orchestra ; Avery Parrish | Jazz/dance band, with piano solo | instrumentalist, saxophone | |
| Victor | BS-057362 | 10-in. | 11/6/1940 | Put yourself in my place | Erskine Hawkins Orchestra | Jazz/dance band | instrumentalist, saxophone | |
| Victor | BS-057363 | 10-in. | 11/6/1940 | Norfolk Ferry | Erskine Hawkins Orchestra | Jazz/dance band | instrumentalist, saxophone | |
| Victor | BS-057364 | 10-in. | 11/6/1940 | Soft winds | Erskine Hawkins Orchestra | Jazz/dance band | instrumentalist, saxophone | |
| Victor | BS-057365 | 10-in. | 11/6/1940 | Nona | Erskine Hawkins Orchestra | Jazz/dance band | instrumentalist, saxophone | |
| Victor | BS-057724 | 10-in. | 11/20/1940 | Rifftime | Erskine Hawkins Orchestra | Jazz/dance band | instrumentalist, saxophone | |
| Victor | BS-057725 | 10-in. | 11/20/1940 | I know a secret | Erskine Hawkins Orchestra ; Jimmy Mitchell | Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo | instrumentalist, saxophone | |
| Victor | BS-057726 | 10-in. | 11/20/1940 | S'posin' | Dolores Brown ; Erskine Hawkins Orchestra | Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo | instrumentalist, saxophone | |
| Victor | BS-057727 | 10-in. | 11/20/1940 | To-night you belong to me | Erskine Hawkins Orchestra ; Jimmy Mitchell | Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo | instrumentalist, saxophone | |
| Victor | BS-060404 | 10-in. | 1/22/1941 | Keep cool fool | Erskine Hawkins Orchestra ; Jimmy Mitchell | Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo | instrumentalist, saxophone | |
| Victor | BS-060405 | 10-in. | 1/22/1941 | No use squawkin' | Erskine Hawkins Orchestra | Jazz/dance band | instrumentalist, saxophone | |
| Victor | BS-060406 | 10-in. | 1/22/1941 | Who's beatin' my time with you? | Erskine Hawkins Orchestra ; Ida James | Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo | instrumentalist, saxophone | |
| Victor | BS-065727 | 10-in. | 5/15/1941 | Uncle Bud | Erskine Hawkins Orchestra | Jazz/dance band | instrumentalist, saxophone, composer | |
| Victor | BS-065728 | 10-in. | 5/15/1941 | Blackout | Erskine Hawkins Orchestra | Jazz/dance band | instrumentalist, saxophone | |
| Victor | BS-065729 | 10-in. | 5/15/1941 | Blue sea | Erskine Hawkins Orchestra | Jazz/dance band | instrumentalist, saxophone, composer | |
| Victor | BS-065730 | 10-in. | 5/15/1941 | I love you truly | Erskine Hawkins Orchestra ; Ida James ; Jimmy Mitchell | Jazz/dance band, with mixed vocal quartet | instrumentalist, saxophone | |
| Victor | BS-065731 | 10-in. | 5/15/1941 | Shipyard ramble | Erskine Hawkins Orchestra | Jazz/dance band | instrumentalist, saxophone | |
| Victor | BS-065908 | 10-in. | 5/27/1941 | Hey Doc! | Erskine Hawkins Orchestra | Jazz/dance band | instrumentalist, saxophone | |
| Victor | BS-065909 | 10-in. | 5/27/1941 | So long, Shorty | Wilbur Bascomb ; Erskine Hawkins Orchestra ; Ida James | Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo and trumpet solo | instrumentalist, saxophone | |
| Victor | BS-065910 | 10-in. | 5/27/1941 | I'm in a low down groove | Erskine Hawkins Orchestra ; Jimmy Mitchell | Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo | instrumentalist, saxophone | |
| Victor | BS-065911 | 10-in. | 5/27/1941 | Night after night | Erskine Hawkins Orchestra ; Ida James | Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo | composer, instrumentalist, saxophone | |
| Victor | BS-067546 | 10-in. | 8/8/1941 | Someone's rocking my dream boat | Erskine Hawkins Orchestra ; Jimmy Mitchell | Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo | instrumentalist, saxophone | |
| Victor | BS-067547 | 10-in. | 8/8/1941 | Jumpin' in a julep joint | Erskine Hawkins Orchestra ; Ida James | Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo | instrumentalist, saxophone | |
| Victor | BS-068712 | 10-in. | 12/22/1941 | Sometimes | Erskine Hawkins Orchestra ; Jimmy Mitchell | Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo | instrumentalist, saxophone | |
| Victor | BS-068713 | 10-in. | 12/22/1941 | I don't want to walk without you | Erskine Hawkins Orchestra ; Ida James | Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo | instrumentalist, saxophone | |
| Victor | BS-068714 | 10-in. | 12/22/1941 | Wrap your troubles in dreams (and dream your troubles away) | Erskine Hawkins Orchestra ; Jimmy Mitchell | Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo | instrumentalist, saxophone | |
| Victor | BS-068715 | 10-in. | 12/22/1941 | [Unknown title(s)] | Erskine Hawkins Orchestra | Jazz/dance band | instrumentalist, saxophone | |
| Victor | BS-073289 | 10-in. | 5/27/1942 | Bicycle bounce | Erskine Hawkins Orchestra | Jazz/dance band | instrumentalist, saxophone | |
| Victor | BS-073290 | 10-in. | 5/27/1942 | Lucky seven | Erskine Hawkins Orchestra | Jazz/dance band | instrumentalist, saxophone, composer | |
| Victor | BS-073291 | 10-in. | 5/27/1942 | Country boy | Erskine Hawkins Orchestra | Jazz/dance band | songwriter, instrumentalist, saxophone | |
| Victor | BS-075527 | 10-in. | 6/29/1942 | Bear-mash blues | Erskine Hawkins Orchestra | Jazz/dance band | instrumentalist, saxophone | |
| Victor | BS-075528 | 10-in. | 6/29/1942 | Knock me a kiss | Erskine Hawkins Orchestra ; Ida James | Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo | instrumentalist, saxophone | |
| Victor | BS-075529 | 10-in. | 6/29/1942 | 'Tain't no good | Erskine Hawkins Orchestra | Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo | instrumentalist, saxophone | |
| Victor | D7VB-0627 | 10-in. | 3/5/1947 | Pretty eyed baby | William Johnson ; Musical Notes (Bill Johnson) | Male vocal solo, with vocal quartet and jazz/dance quintet | instrumentalist, saxophone, leader, vocalist, songwriter | |
| Victor | D7VB-0628 | 10-in. | 3/5/1947 | Don't you think I oughta know | William Johnson ; Musical Notes (Bill Johnson) | Male vocal solo, with vocal quartet and jazz/dance quintet | instrumentalist, saxophone, leader, vocalist, composer | |
| Victor | D7VB-0629 | 10-in. | 3/5/1947 | That night we said goodbye | William Johnson ; Musical Notes (Bill Johnson) | Male vocal solo, with vocal quartet and jazz/dance quintet | instrumentalist, saxophone, leader, vocalist, songwriter | |
| Victor | D7VB-0630 | 10-in. | 3/5/1947 | You didn't have to say I love you | William Johnson ; Musical Notes (Bill Johnson) | Male vocal solo, with vocal quartet and jazz/dance quintet | instrumentalist, saxophone, leader, vocalist, songwriter | |
| Victor | D7VB-0631 | 10-in. | 3/5/1947 | Shorty's got to go | William Johnson ; Musical Notes (Bill Johnson) | Male vocal solo, with vocal quartet and jazz/dance quintet | instrumentalist, saxophone, leader, vocalist | |
| Victor | D7VB-0632 | 10-in. | 3/5/1947 | Half a love | William Johnson ; Musical Notes (Bill Johnson) | Male vocal solo, with vocal quartet and jazz/dance quintet | instrumentalist, saxophone, leader, vocalist, songwriter | |
| Victor | D7VB-0633 | 10-in. | 3/5/1947 | Leave it to fate, Gate | William Johnson ; Musical Notes (Bill Johnson) | Male vocal solo, with vocal quartet and jazz/dance quintet | instrumentalist, saxophone, leader, vocalist, songwriter | |
| Victor | D7VB-0634 | 10-in. | 3/5/1947 | Sharkies' boogie | William Johnson ; Musical Notes (Bill Johnson) | Jazz/dance quintet | instrumentalist, saxophone, leader | |
| Victor | D7VB-1483 | 10-in. | 8/6/1947 | You're the dream of a lifetime | William Johnson ; Musical Notes (Bill Johnson) | Male vocal solo, with vocal trio and jazz/dance quintet | instrumentalist, saxophone, leader | |
| Victor | D7VB-1484 | 10-in. | 8/6/1947 | Chickasaw limited | William Johnson ; Musical Notes (Bill Johnson) | Male vocal solo, with jazz/dance quintet | instrumentalist, saxophone, leader, vocalist | |
| Victor | D7VB-1485 | 10-in. | 8/6/1947 | My baby's giving me the brush | William Johnson ; Musical Notes (Bill Johnson) | Male vocal solo, with vocal trio and jazz/dance quintet | leader, instrumentalist, saxophone, vocalist | |
| Victor | D7VB-1486 | 10-in. | 8/6/1947 | My little red head | William Johnson ; Musical Notes (Bill Johnson) | Male vocal solo, with vocal quartet and jazz/dance quintet | leader, instrumentalist, saxophone, vocalist | |
| Victor | D7VB-1488 | 10-in. | 8/6/1947 | Elevator boogie | William Johnson ; Musical Notes (Bill Johnson) | Male vocal solo, with vocal quartet and jazz/dance quintet | leader, instrumentalist, saxophone, vocalist | |
| Victor | D7VB-1489 | 10-in. | 8/6/1947 | For once in your life | William Johnson ; Musical Notes (Bill Johnson) | Male vocal solo, with vocal quartet and jazz/dance quintet | instrumentalist, saxophone, leader, vocalist | |
| Victor | D7VB-1490 | 10-in. | 8/6/1947 | I learned to cry (when you said good-bye) | Gus Gordon ; Musical Notes (Bill Johnson) | Male vocal solo, with vocal quartet and jazz/dance quintet | leader, instrumentalist, saxophone, vocalist | |
| Victor | D7VB-1963 | 10-in. | 11/2/1947 | Mama, mama, mama | William Johnson ; Musical Notes (Bill Johnson) | Male vocal solo, with vocal quartet and jazz quintet | vocalist, leader, instrumentalist, saxophone, songwriter | |
| Victor | D7VB-1964 | 10-in. | 11/2/1947 | Believe me, beloved | Gus Gordon ; William Johnson ; Musical Notes (Bill Johnson) | Male vocal solo, with vocal quartet and jazz quintet | vocalist, leader, instrumentalist, saxophone | |
| Victor | D7VB-1965 | 10-in. | 11/2/1947 | So tired | Gus Gordon ; William Johnson ; Musical Notes (Bill Johnson) | Male vocal solo, with vocal quartet and jazz quintet | vocalist, leader, instrumentalist, saxophone | |
| Victor | D7VB-2018 | 10-in. | 11/8/1947 | My baby likes to be-bop (and I like to be-bop too) | William Johnson ; Musical Notes (Bill Johnson) | Male vocal solo, with vocal quartet and jazz quintet | instrumentalist, saxophone, leader, vocalist | |
| Victor | D7VB-2019 | 10-in. | 11/8/1947 | Let's be sweethearts again | Gus Gordon ; William Johnson ; Musical Notes (Bill Johnson) | Male vocal solo, with vocal quartet and jazz quintet | instrumentalist, saxophone, leader, vocalist | |
| Victor | D7VB-2020 | 10-in. | 11/8/1947 | Say something nice about me | Gus Gordon ; William Johnson ; Musical Notes (Bill Johnson) | Male vocal solo, with vocal quartet and jazz quintet | instrumentalist, saxophone, leader, vocalist | |
| Victor | D7VB-2021 | 10-in. | 11/8/1947 | All dressed up with a broken heart | Gus Gordon ; William Johnson ; Musical Notes (Bill Johnson) | Male vocal solo, with vocal quartet and jazz quintet | instrumentalist, saxophone, leader, vocalist | |
| Decca | 71874 | 10-in. | 3/16/1944 | They put John on the island | The Jubalaires | instrumentalist, guitar | ||
| Decca | 71875 | 10-in. | 3/16/1944 | Ezekiel saw the wheel a-rollin' | The Jubalaires | instrumentalist, guitar | ||
| Decca | 71876 | 10-in. | 3/16/1944 | Before this time another year | The Jubalaires | instrumentalist, guitar | ||
| Decca | 71877 | 10-in. | 3/16/1944 | When it's all over but the shoutin' | The Jubalaires | instrumentalist, guitar |
Citation
Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Johnson, William," accessed November 21, 2024, https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/113646.
Johnson, William. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved November 21, 2024, from https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/113646.
"Johnson, William." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 21 November 2024.
DAHR Persistent Identifier
External Sources
Wikipedia: William Johnson
Discogs: William Johnson
Allmusic: William Johnson
Grove: William Johnson
Linked Open Data Sources
LCNAR: Johnson, William, 1912-1960 - http://id.loc.gov/authorities/names/no2007090070
Wikidata: William Johnson - http://www.wikidata.org/entity/Q4909625
VIAF: http://viaf.org/viaf/101035698
MusicBrainz: William Johnson - https://musicbrainz.org/artist/fdcb0822-cd65-4489-8744-29fb842f7de5
Wikipedia content provided under the terms of the Creative Commons BY-SA license
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