Osie Johnson

James "Osie" Johnson (January 11, 1923, in Washington, D.C. – February 10, 1966, in New York City) was a jazz drummer, arranger and singer.

Johnson studied at Armstrong Highschool where he was classmates with Leo Parker and Frank Wess. He first worked with Sabby Lewis and then, after service in the United States Navy, freelanced for a time in Chicago. From 1951 to 1953, he was a member of Earl Hines's band.

He can be heard on albums by Paul Gonsalves, Zoot Sims, and Mose Allison and is the drummer on Bobby Darin's "Mack the Knife". (Some sources list Don Lamond as the drummer on "Mack the Knife") and on Ray Conniff's first album 'S Wonderful!. He recorded the album A Bit of the Blues as a singer and had arranged at a "hit" for singer Dinah Washington. His final recordings as a singer were on a J. J. Johnson album, now compiled as a collection called Goodies.

In 1957, Johnson appeared with Thelonious Monk and Ahmed Abdul-Malik on The Sound of Jazz.

Johnson died from kidney failure in 1966, at the age of 43.

Birth and Death Data: Born January 11, 1923 (Washington, D.C.), Died February 10, 1966 (New York City)

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1953 - 1965

Roles Represented in DAHR: drums

= 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
Decca 84899 7/23/1953 Blues in lament Benny (Bennie) Green instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 84900 7/23/1953 Blow your horn Benny (Bennie) Green instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 84901 7/23/1953 Expense account Benny (Bennie) Green instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 84902 7/23/1953 Takin' my time Benny (Bennie) Green instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 85837 12/22/1953 I cover the waterfront Tony Scott Quartet instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 85838 12/22/1953 It's you or no one Tony Scott Quartet instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 85839 12/22/1953 Blues for Ava, part 1 Tony Scott Quartet instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 85840 12/22/1953 Blues for Ave, part 2 Tony Scott Quartet instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 85841 12/22/1953 Yesterdays Tony Scott Quartet instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 85842 12/29/1953 Goodbye Tony Scott Quartet instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 85843 12/29/1953 Swootie Patootie Tony Scott Quartet instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 85844 12/29/1953 Sweet Lorraine Tony Scott Quartet instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 88657 9/16/1955 Timmy's tune Joe Holiday and his Band instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 88658 9/16/1955 Love is a many splendored thing Joe Holiday and his Band instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 88659 9/16/1955 Opening night Joe Holiday and his Band instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 88660 9/16/1955 Tiny mite Joe Holiday and his Band instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 88710 9/29/1955 Cool cat on a hot tin roof Ralph Burns Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 88711 9/29/1955 What am I here for Ralph Burns Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 88712 9/29/1955 Jazz Club U.S.A. Ralph Burns Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 88740 10/6/1955 I'll be around Ralph Burns Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 88741 10/6/1955 Royal garden blues Ralph Burns Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 88742 10/6/1955 Nocturne Ralph Burns Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 88743 10/6/1955 South Gonzales Street parade Ralph Burns Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 100172 6/7/1956 King Porter stomp Manhattan Jazz Septet instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 100173 6/7/1956 Never, never land Manhattan Jazz Septet instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 100174 6/7/1956 Like listen Manhattan Jazz Septet instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 100175 6/7/1956 Since when Manhattan Jazz Septet instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 100176 6/7/1956 Love of my life Manhattan Jazz Septet instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 100177 6/7/1956 Rapid transit Manhattan Jazz Septet instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 100178 6/7/1956 Flute cocktail Manhattan Jazz Septet instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 100179 6/7/1956 A bat for K.C. Manhattan Jazz Septet instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 100180 6/7/1956 New Orleans Manhattan Jazz Septet instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 100181 6/7/1956 My shining hour Manhattan Jazz Septet instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 100182 6/7/1956 Thou sveldt Manhattan Jazz Septet instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 100183 6/7/1956 There will never be another you Manhattan Jazz Septet instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 100667 10/1/1956 Darn that dream Tommy Shepard Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 100668 10/1/1956 Walk with me Tommy Shepard Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 100669 10/1/1956 The touch of your lips Tommy Shepard Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 100670 10/1/1956 Stop, look and run Tommy Shepard Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 100671 10/2/1956 Prelude to a kiss Tommy Shepard Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 100672 10/2/1956 Lullaby of the leaves Tommy Shepard Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 100673 10/2/1956 What is there to say Tommy Shepard Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 100674 10/2/1956 See how you are Tommy Shepard Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 100675 10/2/1956 Take care Tommy Shepard Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 100676 10/3/1956 I'll be back for more Tommy Shepard Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 100677 10/3/1956 Misty Tommy Shepard Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 100678 10/3/1956 Here I am in love again Tommy Shepard Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 100934 11/3/1956 Give 'em Hal-1 Hal McKusick instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 100935 11/3/1956 When the sun comes out-1 Hal McKusick instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 100936 11/3/1956 Can't get out of this mood-1 Hal McKusick instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 100937 11/3/1956 These foolish things Hal McKusick instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 100938 11/3/1956 Out of this world-1 Hal McKusick instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 100939 11/3/1956 This is new Hal McKusick instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 100940 11/3/1956 Over the rainbow Hal McKusick instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 100941 11/3/1956 Serenade in blue-1 Hal McKusick instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 100942 11/3/1956 Prelude to a kiss-1 Hal McKusick instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 100943 11/3/1956 Irresistible you Hal McKusick instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 102148 4/2/1957 My sweetie went away Manny Albam and the Jazz Greats of our Time instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 102149 4/2/1957 Am I blue? Manny Albam and the Jazz Greats of our Time instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 102150 4/3/1957 See here Miss Bromley Manny Albam and the Jazz Greats of our Time instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 102151 4/3/1957 Poor Dr. Millmoss Manny Albam and the Jazz Greats of our Time instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 102152 4/3/1957 All too soon Manny Albam and the Jazz Greats of our Time instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 102153 4/4/1957 Minor matters Manny Albam and the Jazz Greats of our Time instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 102154 4/4/1957 Latined fractured Manny Albam and the Jazz Greats of our Time instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 102155 4/4/1957 Blues from Neither Coast Manny Albam and the Jazz Greats of our Time instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 103488 10/10/1957 I feel pretty Manny Albam Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 103489 10/10/1957 Cool Manny Albam Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 103490 10/11/1957 Maria Manny Albam Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 103491 10/11/1957 Prologue and Jet song Manny Albam Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 103492 10/11/1957 Tonight Manny Albam Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 103493 10/11/1957 Something's coming Manny Albam Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 103494 10/11/1957 Somewhere Manny Albam Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 103495 10/11/1957 Finale: I feel pretty/America/One hand Manny Albam Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 104073 1/16/1958 What am I here for Barry Galbraith instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 104074 1/16/1958 Any place I hang my hat is home Barry Galbraith instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 104075 1/16/1958 Bull market Barry Galbraith instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 104076 1/16/1958 Nina never knew Barry Galbraith instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 104077 1/21/1958 Holiday Barry Galbraith instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 104078 1/21/1958 I like to recognize the tune Barry Galbraith instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 104079 1/21/1958 Portrait of Jennie Barry Galbraith instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 104080 1/21/1958 A gal in calico Barry Galbraith instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 104081 1/28/1958 Ya' gotta have rhythm Barry Galbraith instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 104082 1/28/1958 Judy's jaunt Barry Galbraith instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 104083 1/28/1958 Love is for the very young-1 Barry Galbraith instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 104084 1/28/1958 Walking Barry Galbraith instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 104497 3/3/1958 Duke's place Manny Albam Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 104498 3/3/1958 In a sentimental mood Manny Albam Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 104499 3/3/1958 Sophisticated lady Manny Albam Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 104500 3/3/1958 Prelude to a kiss Manny Albam Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 104508 3/4/1958 Satin doll Manny Albam Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 104509 3/4/1958 Solitude Manny Albam Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 104510 3/4/1958 It don't mean a thing Manny Albam Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 104511 3/4/1958 Mood indigo Manny Albam Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 104517 3/5/1958 I'm beginning to see the light Manny Albam Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 104518 3/5/1958 Don't you know I care Manny Albam Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 104519 3/5/1958 In a mellow tone Manny Albam Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 104520 3/5/1958 The sky fell down Manny Albam Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 104799 4/21/1958 What is there to say? Sal Salvador instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 104800 4/21/1958 You'd be so nice to come home to Sal Salvador instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 104801 4/21/1958 Yesterdays Sal Salvador instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 104806 4/28/1958 Periwinkle blues Sal Salvador instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 104807 4/28/1958 Desert fever Sal Salvador instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 104808 4/28/1958 You brought a new kind of love to me Sal Salvador instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 104809 4/28/1958 Spring will be a little late Sal Salvador instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 114722 3/26/1964 Expressions Jackie Wilson instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 114723 3/26/1964 Don't set me free Jackie Wilson instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 114724 3/26/1964 Rebecca Jackie Wilson instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 114725 3/26/1964 Give me back my heart Jackie Wilson instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 114726 3/26/1964 Be my girl Jackie Wilson instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 114727 3/26/1964 Dream Jackie Wilson instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 115534 1/6/1965 Who can I turn to? Jonah Jones Quartet instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 115535 1/6/1965 Think beautiful Jonah Jones Quartet instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 115536 1/6/1965 A wonderful day like today Jonah Jones Quartet instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 115537 1/6/1965 Theme from Golden Boy Jonah Jones Quartet instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 115538 1/7/1965 People Jonah Jones Quartet instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 115539 1/7/1965 When I dance with the person Jonah Jones Quartet instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 115540 1/7/1965 Can it be possible Jonah Jones Quartet instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 115541 1/7/1965 Do you love me Jonah Jones Quartet instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 115542 1/7/1965 Variations on a theme by Bird Jonah Jones Quartet instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 115543 1/7/1965 Hello, Dolly! Jonah Jones Quartet instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 115544 1/7/1965 Take the moment Jonah Jones Quartet instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 115545 1/7/1965 127th Street march Jonah Jones Quartet instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 116440 8/18/1965 Side by side Jonah Jones Quartet instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 116441 8/18/1965 Down among the sheltering palms Jonah Jones Quartet instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 116442 8/18/1965 Red head Jonah Jones Quartet instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 116443 8/18/1965 I used to love you Jonah Jones Quartet instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 116444 8/19/1965 Save your sorrow Jonah Jones Quartet instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 116445 8/19/1965 Who's sorry now Jonah Jones Quartet instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 116446 8/19/1965 Angry Jonah Jones Quartet instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 116447 8/19/1965 Anytime Jonah Jones Quartet instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 116448 8/19/1965 There'll be some changes made Jonah Jones Quartet instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 116449 8/19/1965 On the sunny side of the street Jonah Jones Quartet instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 116450 8/20/1965 I want a girl Jonah Jones Quartet instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 116451 8/20/1965 You're nobody 'til somebody loves you Jonah Jones Quartet instrumentalist, drums  

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Johnson, Osie," accessed November 2, 2024, https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/323884.

Johnson, Osie. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved November 2, 2024, from https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/323884.

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

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/323884

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