LaMont Johnson

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
This article is about the jazz pianist. For other people, see Lamont Johnson (disambiguation).
Not to be confused with
Mont Johnson or Mount Johnson
.
LaMont Johnson
Born(1941-10-01)October 1, 1941
New York City, NY, US
DiedOctober 21, 1999(1999-10-21) (aged 58)
Austin, Texas, US
GenresJazz, soul, funk
Occupation(s)Pianist
Record label owner
Film producer
Instrument(s)Piano
Years active1962–1999

LaMont Johnson (October 1, 1941 – October 21, 1999) was an American jazz pianist who played in the hard bop and post-bop genres.[1] He recorded extensively with Jackie McLean during the 1960s as well as with Ornette Coleman, Kenny Burrell, Bud Shank, Paul Beaver, and Bernie Krause, among others.[2]

Biography

James LaMont Johnson was born in New York City, New York.[1][3] During his childhood he took dancing, singing, and mime lessons, and appeared on the Star Time Kids television program at age 7.[3] He later served in the United States Air Force in Germany, after which he attended Manhattan College and Syracuse University.[3]

Johnson began his recording career in 1962.[3] In New York City, he worked with tubist Howard Johnson and trumpeter Woody Shaw as the bebop period came to an end.[3] Throughout the 1960s, he recorded with artists such as Jackie McLean, Ornette Coleman, and George Benson.[3] Later in the same decade, Johnson began composing music for films and advertisements.[3]

Johnson lived and worked in San Diego, California, where he established the record label MasterScores Records.[3] Johnson worked in the film industry during the 1970s as a distributor and producer.[3] He produced the 1973 martial arts film Thunderfist.[3][4] Johnson was a major shareholder in the film distributors Artisan Releasing and Twin World Films, and formed another distributorship, Elmark General Film.[3]

In his later years, Johnson lived in

jazz festivals, as either a performer or producer.[3]

On October 21, 1999, Johnson died of heart failure in Austin, Texas, where he lived with his wife, Jayne Taylor Johnson.[3] Johnson had two daughters, Astrid and Kyleigh, and two sons, Neil and Rand.[3] At the time of his death, Johnson had indicated his plans to return to San Diego.[3]

Discography

As leader

  • 1972: Sun, Moon and Stars (Mainstream Records)
  • 1976: Nine: A Mystical Musical Allegory (Orchard)
  • 1979: Aces (Orchard)
  • 1987: New York Exile (Orchard)
  • 1991: Burned by the Passion (MasterScores)
  • 1997: Jackie's Blues Bag (Hip Bop Essence)
  • 1998: 242 E 3rd (Orchard)
  • 2000: Collaboration (with Kenny Burrell)

As sideman

with Jackie McLean
with Hank Mobley

References

  1. ^ a b "LaMont Johnson". Allmusic. Retrieved 2010-10-25.
  2. ^ "LaMont Johnson: Credits". Allmusic. Retrieved 2010-10-25.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r Autman, Samuel (1999-10-30). "LaMont Johnson; jazz composer, performer". The San Diego Union-Tribune. San Diego. p. B7. Retrieved 2010-10-28 – via Newsbank.
  4. IMDb Edit this at Wikidata
  5. ISSN 1074-0740
    . Retrieved 2010-10-28. [T]here's a big benefit being held for the band at Top of the Marc tonight (Thursday) between 6-9pm, with Lamont Johnson [sic] and others performing...

External links
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=LaMont_Johnson&oldid=1218366510"