DOCD-1009
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| Pete Johnson Radio Broadcasts, Film Soundtracks, Alternate Takes 1939 - c.1947 £7.99 |
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| Pete Johnson CDs
He began his musical career in 1922 as a drummer in Kansas City, Missouri. From 1926 to 1938 he worked as a pianist, often accompanying singer Joe Turner. In 1938 he and Turner appeared in the Spirituals to Swing concert at Carnegie Hall. This concert started a boogie-woogie craze, and Turner and two other performers at the concert, Meade Lux Lewis and Albert Ammons, worked together afterwards at Café Society for a long time; they also toured and recorded together. In 1950 he moved to Buffalo, New York but, despite problems with his health, continued to tour and record, notably with Jimmy Rushing, Turner, and Jazz at the Philharmonic. He died on March 23rd, 1967. Pete Johson is often labelled as the foremost exponent of "Kansas City boogie woogie style". This is in contrast to to his collegues of the Boogie Woogie Trio, Albert Simmons and Meade Lux Lewis from Chicago, whose main influences were Jimmy Yancey, Pinetop Smith, Hersal Thomas, Clarence Lofton and Jimmy Blythe. Meade Lux Lewis played a harmonic and rhythmic system all of his own, where as Albert Simmons relied heavily on his powerful touch and a bodyful swing-to-perfection which enabled him to emulate a Fats Waller like rhythmic tension. Pete Johnson was different. Although employing the physical approach of a mainly self-taught player to the keyboard, which when he played blues and boogie woogie, was an advantage. This Document Records CD compilation, gives the overall impression of a player who had good knowledge of harmonical structures, great command of rhythm and plentiful experience of swinging along with high calibre Jazz musicians. Pete Johnsons influences included Charles "Smash" Johnson, then Louis "Bootie" Johnson, who made Pete change from drumming to playing piano in 1926. Other main inspirations came from Fats Waller and for boogie woogie, Pinetop Smith's recordings and Jelly Roll Morton. Tracks on the CD include the big band "Roll 'Em" by Benny Goodman's Orchestra, "Buss Robinson Blues" was a favourite of Pete's being a tribute to a friend and fellow pianist. "Goin' Away Blues" was a number from Pete's first commercial recording session, accompanied by the singer Joe Turner, "Boogie Woogie Prayer" is a piano duet with Albert Ammons. Other highlights are several songs featuring the singer Lena Horne, these are "My New Gown" and the excellent "Unlucky Dream". This CD includes a 22 page booklet which provide full track details by Axel Zwingenberger, historical notes by Konrad Nowakowski, photographs, musician personnel, original discographical details, and a description of each song. |
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