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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 251-258 of 258 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Signature T-1914 10-in. 12/18/1943 Blueberry rhyme James P. Johnson instrumentalist, piano  
Signature T-1915 10-in. 12/18/1943 Blues for Fats James P. Johnson instrumentalist, piano  
Signature T-1916 10-in. 12/18/1943 Over the bars James P. Johnson instrumentalist, piano  
Signature BOB-5 6/7/1944 Oh, lady be good Yank Lawson and his Jazz Band instrumentalist, piano  
Signature BOB-6 6/7/1944 Noteworthy blues Yank Lawson and his Jazz Band instrumentalist, piano  
Signature BT-101 6/7/1944 I've found a new baby Yank Lawson and his Jazz Band instrumentalist, piano  
Signature BT-102 6/7/1944 Jazz me blues Yank Lawson and his Jazz Band instrumentalist, piano  
Columbia (U.K.) WL265 10-in. 12/14/1925 Charleston Clément Doucet ; Jean Wiener Piano duet composer  
(Results 251-258 of 258 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Johnson, James P.," accessed November 21, 2024, https://adpprod2.library.ucsb.edu/names/103380.

Johnson, James P.. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved November 21, 2024, from https://adpprod2.library.ucsb.edu/names/103380.

"Johnson, James P.." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 21 November 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adpprod2.library.ucsb.edu/names/103380

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