Johnny (Malcolm) Johnson
1876-1979

AKA: Johnny Johnson and His Statler Pennsylvanians
Themes, "After All" and "If I Could Be with You."
Pianist, Organist, Composer, Conductor.

Johnson's career started by playing both piano and organ at area night clubs, while attending Indiana University. His first band job was with the Harry Yerkes orchestra. In 1922. he formed his own band which was only mildly successful despite having some solid personnel such as Jack Teagarden, and for a short time Red Nichols. Johnson also had some great vocalists including Lee Johnson, Walter Batsford, Bob Teaster, Harry McDaniel, Al Jennings, Sam Browne and Franklyn Bauer. In 1926 he disbanded and joined Ben Bernie's band as a pianist. In the late twenties he organized another band, but again success was not to be. As the thirties started, for financial reasons, he switched from semi-hot music to sweet music and found a much greater opportunity for work. In 1936, he appeared on the Tasty-Yeast radio program

Johnny Johnson disbanded for the last time in the early forties and settled in New Jersey where he taught piano and organ while occasionally playing piano in local clubs. Among his best remembered recordings are "Lullaby of Broadway", Thou Swell" and "Sunbeams."

Thanks to Mr. Ken Tidwell for this entry on Johnny Johnson.
Source Page: www.nfo.net/usa/j2.html

 

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