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Gus Johnson

Gus Johnson (November 15, 1913 – February 6, 2000) was an American swing drummer in various jazz bands, born in Tyler, Texas, United States. After learning to play drums from his next-door neighbor, Johnson occasionally played professionally at the age of ten in the Lincoln Theater, and performed in various local groups, most notable McDavid's Blue Rhythm Band. Upon graduating from Booker T. Washington High School, Johnson moved to Kansas City, where he took up drumming full-time. He joined Jay McShann's Orchestra in 1938, with his music career being interrupted by his conscription into the military in 1943.

In 1945, Johnson returned from his stint in the military, and relocated to Chicago to perform in the Jesse Miller Band. Johnson played on Willie Dixon's debut album, Willie's Blues. He subsequently played alongside Count Basie, and was recorded on the album, Basie Rides Again, in 1952. Following a recovery from appendicitis, Johnson was featured in numerous groups and dozens of recordings in the 1960s. In 1972, his former bandmates from Jay McShann's Orchestra reconvened to record Going to Kansas City. Although Johnson continued to tour into the 1980s, he developed Alzheimer's disease in 1989, which he struggled with until his death on February 6, 2000.

Birth and Death Data: Born November 15, 1913 (Tyler), Died February 6, 2000 (Denver)

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1941 - 1959

Roles Represented in DAHR: drums

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

Recordings (Results 26-50 of 93 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Decca 93810 10-in. 11/18/1941 'Fore day rider Jay McShann Quartet instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 93811 10-in. 11/18/1941 So you won't jump Jay McShann Quartet instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 93812 10-in. 11/18/1941 New confessin' the blues (Confessin' the blues, part 2 De.48008) Jay McShann Quartet instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 93813 10-in. 11/18/1941 Red River blues Jay McShann Quartet instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 93814 10-in. 11/18/1941 Baby heart blues Jay McShann Quartet instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 93815 10-in. 11/18/1941 Cryin' won't make me stay Jay McShann Quartet instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 93816 10-in. 11/18/1941 Hootie's ignorant oil Jay McShann Quartet instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 100986 11/14/1956 Coquette Johnny Costa instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 100987 11/14/1956 Cherokee Johnny Costa instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 100988 11/14/1956 From this moment on ; Who cares Johnny Costa instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 100989 11/14/1956 Whispering Johnny Costa instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 100990 11/14/1956 I'll be around Johnny Costa instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 100991 11/14/1956 Everything I've got Johnny Costa instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 100992 11/14/1956 Willow weep for me Johnny Costa instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 100993 11/14/1956 It's all right with me Johnny Costa instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 100994 11/14/1956 The boy next door Johnny Costa instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 100995 11/15/1956 The most beautiful girl in the world Johnny Costa instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 100996 11/15/1956 Night and day Johnny Costa instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 100997 11/15/1956 This can't be love Johnny Costa instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 100998 11/15/1956 I'm gonna sit right down and write myself a letter Johnny Costa instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 100999 11/15/1956 By a waterfall Johnny Costa instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 101000 11/20/1956 Desert sunrise Larry Sonn Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 101001 11/20/1956 Congo mambo Larry Sonn Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 101002 11/20/1956 My heart stood still Larry Sonn Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 101003 11/20/1956 Nice work if you can get it Larry Sonn Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
(Results 26-50 of 93 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Johnson, Gus," accessed November 2, 2024, https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/323849.

Johnson, Gus. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved November 2, 2024, from https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/323849.

"Johnson, Gus." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 2 November 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/323849

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