Jay Johnson Essay
Background Investigation – Now that you have listened to this piece once all the way through, find out a little more about it. Besides the album notes with the CD, look for other references, specifically ones pertaining to this particular song or album, if possible. Is there anything significant or noteworthy about this song, album, or group of performers? 20 points
In terms of the album, I found that it was received in a very positive manner and received 4½ stars from an Allmusic review by Scott Yanow who curiously stated "Although Johnson has a couple of features, Clifford Brown largely steals the show", and a four star rating out of four stars in The Penguin Guide to Jazz …show more content…
Firstly, one interesting fact I found was that his birth name was actually James Louis Johnson, but that he was often referred to as Jay Jay Johnson. Secondly, I learned that Jay Jay is considered one of the first trombone players to embrace bebop music and one of the leading trombonists of the post-swing era, thus having a great influence on other jazz musicians. Thirdly, I also found it interesting how trombone was not the first instrument that he played, and that he began with piano lessons at age eleven, then played baritone saxophone at school for a short time before beginning to play trombone at fourteen years old because his classmates needed a trombone player to form an amateur band. Fourthly, similar to many other jazz musicians of his generation, Jay Jay consumed heroin and became so absorbed into the culture and lifestyle that in 1952, he decided to leave music and became a blueprint inspector for Sperry Gyroscope, a military contractor. In addition, to his concert and jazz music, Jay Jay also composed for movies and television in 1970, but had limited success using racism as the principal motive. Finally, I thought it was interesting that he retired from active performing and touring at the end of 1996, because that means that he performed until he was 72 years
In terms of the album, I found that it was received in a very positive manner and received 4½ stars from an Allmusic review by Scott Yanow who curiously stated "Although Johnson has a couple of features, Clifford Brown largely steals the show", and a four star rating out of four stars in The Penguin Guide to Jazz …show more content…
Firstly, one interesting fact I found was that his birth name was actually James Louis Johnson, but that he was often referred to as Jay Jay Johnson. Secondly, I learned that Jay Jay is considered one of the first trombone players to embrace bebop music and one of the leading trombonists of the post-swing era, thus having a great influence on other jazz musicians. Thirdly, I also found it interesting how trombone was not the first instrument that he played, and that he began with piano lessons at age eleven, then played baritone saxophone at school for a short time before beginning to play trombone at fourteen years old because his classmates needed a trombone player to form an amateur band. Fourthly, similar to many other jazz musicians of his generation, Jay Jay consumed heroin and became so absorbed into the culture and lifestyle that in 1952, he decided to leave music and became a blueprint inspector for Sperry Gyroscope, a military contractor. In addition, to his concert and jazz music, Jay Jay also composed for movies and television in 1970, but had limited success using racism as the principal motive. Finally, I thought it was interesting that he retired from active performing and touring at the end of 1996, because that means that he performed until he was 72 years