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 (Results 26-50 of 134 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
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  
(Results 26-50 of 134 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Johnson, Osie," accessed October 11, 2024, https://adpprod2.library.ucsb.edu/names/323884.

Johnson, Osie. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved October 11, 2024, from https://adpprod2.library.ucsb.edu/names/323884.

"Johnson, Osie." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 11 October 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adpprod2.library.ucsb.edu/names/323884

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