Tag Archives: J.J. Johnson

Today in Jazz: Jazz, eh?

Pianist Oscar Peterson born 1925 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.  Peterson and Indianapolis native J.J. Johnson both played in the group, Jazz at the Philharmonic. Tweet

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Today in Jazz: Quiet Nights with Miles and J.J.

Trumpeter Miles Davis records Quiet Nights with arranger Gil Evans, 1962.  This album featured Indianapolis native J.J. Johnson on trombone. Tweet

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Today in Jazz: J.J. goes on Tangence

Indianapolis native J.J. Johnson records Tangence, an orchestral album with Robert Farnon in London 1994. Tweet

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Today in Jazz: Miles’ Blue Moods

Trumpeter Miles Davis records Blue Moods, with bassist Charles Mingus and drummer Elvin Jones 1955.  Elvin Jones recorded his album, And Then Again (Atlantic Records 1965), with Indianapolis native J. J. Johnson. Tweet

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Today in Jazz: Blue 7

Tenor saxophonist Sonny Rollins records “Blue 7″, 1956.  Rollins recorded two albums with Indianapolis native J.J. Johnson’s albums, J. J. Johnson’s Jazz Quintets and Trombone By Three. Tweet

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Today in Jazz: Mr. Pepper Pot

Trombonist Dicky Wells born 1907 in Centerville, TN.  While both were part of the Count Basie Orchestra, Wells and Indy native J.J. Johnson recorded in LA for Columbia Records on October 9th,1945.  Wells was having stomach problems that kept him … Continue reading

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Quote of the Day: Practice, Practice, Practice

“A lot of it is just single tongue. It comes from just practice, practice, practice and scales, scales, scales.  I hope someday someone finds a shortcut, and I wish they would tell me about it.” -J.J. Johnson Tweet

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Today in Jazz: Free at the Philharmonic

Pianist Russ Freeman born Chicago, Ill., 1926. Freeman made his name performing with Shelly Manne. Manne and Indianapolis native J.J. Johnson were both part of the Jazz at the Philharmonic. Tweet

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Quote of the Day: Nose to the Window

To restart our quote of the day segment we will begin with a quote from Indiana trombonist J.J. Johnson: “Sometimes you need to stand with your nose to the window and have a good look at jazz. And I’ve done … Continue reading

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Today in Jazz: Cool Rouge

Pianist/composer John Lewis born 1920 in La Grange, IL.  Lewis played with Indianapolis native J.J. Johnson on the Miles Davis album, Birth of the Cool.  Lewis wrote the song “Rouge” and arranged “Budo” and “Move” for the album. Tweet

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Today in Jazz: A Night in Tunisia

Pianist Bud Powell records “Night in Tunisia” 1951.  Powell’s composition, “Tempus Fugit”, was recorded by Miles Davis sextet, on the album, Miles Davis Vol. 2, which featured Indianapolis native J.J. Johnson on trombone.  Johnson also composed two compositions on the … Continue reading

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Today in Jazz: A Little Heath Goes A Long Way

Bassist Percy Heath born 1923 in Wilmington, W.VA.  Heath appeared on a number of releases with Indianapolis native J.J. Johnson, notably, Miles Davis and his Orchestra Vol. 2 and Kenny Dorham’s Afro Cuban. Tweet

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Today in Jazz: Mad Bebop

Bassist/composer Charles Mingus born 1922 in Nogales, AZ.  Indianapolis native J.J. Johnson’s albums, Mad Bebop and The Eminent J.J. Johnson, featured Mingus on bass. Check out the Jazz Bros blog on the complete Atlantic Recordings of Mingus. Tweet

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Today in Jazz: Kind of Blue

Trumpeter Miles Davis records Kind of Blue, the best selling jazz album of all time, 1959. Indianapolis native J.J. Johnson and Davis meet during nightly jam sessions at two of Harlem’s nightclubs, Minton’s Playhouse and Monroe’s. Tweet

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Today in Jazz: Imported From Japan

Tenor saxophonist Dexter Gordon born 1923 in Los Angeles, CA.  Indianapolis native J.J. Johnson appeared with Gordon on the compilation of live excerpts titled, Aurex Jazz Festival: All Star Jam.  This album was a Japanese import only and is difficult … Continue reading

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