Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Email
Answers.com

Alphonso Johnson

 
Artist: Alphonso Johnson
  • Born: 1951, Philadelphia, PA
  • Active: '70s, '80s, '90s
  • Genres: Jazz
  • Instrument: Bass
  • Representative Albums: "Moonshadows," "Yesterday's Dreams," "Spellbound"

Biography

After a short stint on trombone, Alphonso Johnson took up the electric bass in 1968. His early gigs included time with Horace Silver, Woody Herman (1972), Chuck Mangione (1973), and Chet Baker. Johnson rose to fame while touring and recording three albums with Weather Report (1974-1976). This was followed by stints with Billy Cobham (1976-1977), Flora Purim, and the Crusaders. Johnson's funky lines on electric bass have been quite influential and in great demand ever since, both in the studios and in the fusion/funk world. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
Search unanswered questions...
Enter a question here...
Search: All sources Community Q&A Reference topics
Wikipedia: Alphonso Johnson
Top
Alphonso Johnson

Johnson performing in Rochester, New York in 1977.
Background information
Birth name Alphonso Johnson
Born Born 1951
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Genres Jazz, jazz fusion, funk
Instruments Bass
Associated acts Weather Report
Website www.embamba.com

Alphonso Johnson (born 1951) is a American jazz bassist who has been influential since the early 1970s.

Contents

Biography

Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Johnson started off as a trombone player, but switched to the electric bass in his late teens. Beginning his career in the early 1970s, Johnson showed innovation and fluidity on the electric bass. He sessioned with a few jazz musicians before landing a job with Weather Report, taking over for co-founding member Miroslav Vitous. Johnson, ranked alongside peers Stanley Clarke and Steve Swallow, was considered one of the best bassists of the period.[citation needed] His playing was featured on the Weather Report album Mysterious Traveller, on the songs "Cucumber Slumber" and "Scarlet Woman". Johnson appeared on two more albums for Weather Report before he would leave the band to work with drummer Billy Cobham. During 1976-77 he recorded three solo albums as a band leader, for the Epic label, in a fusion-funk vein.

Johnson was one of the first musicians to introduce the Chapman Stick to the public. His knowledge of the instrument nearly landed him a lucrative job with Genesis as the replacement for Steve Hackett who had quit Genesis in 1977. Johnson being more of a bassist than a guitarist, had recommended his friend ex-Sweetbottom guitarist and fellow sessions musician Daryl Stuermer, who would go on to remain a member of the Genesis's touring band for the rest of their existence.

Johnson was one of two bass players and a contributor to Phil Collins' first solo album Face Value in 1981.

In early 1982, Johnson joined Grateful Dead member Bob Weir's side project, Bobby and the Midnites. He would reunite with Weir playing bass in place of Phil Lesh on The Other Ones 2000 tour. He has performed fusion versions of Grateful Dead covers alongside Billy Cobham in the band Jazz Is Dead.

Later in 1984, Johnson played consecutive sets for the Ronnie Lane's ARMS Tour over four shows stretched across the USA. The show's second set of the night (after Eric Clapton's 1st set) featured Jeff Beck and Jan Hammer. The following set Johnson teamed up with Jimmy Page.

Children

He also has two sons named Myles and Malcolm Johnson, who are following in their father's footsteps as musicians.

Discography

  • Moonshadows (1976), Epic
  • Yesterday’s Dream (1976), Epic
  • Spellbound (1977), Epic

External links


 
 
Learn More
Mysterious Traveller (1974 Album by Weather Report)
Moonshadows (1976 Album by Alphonso Johnson)
Michael Grange (1993 Album by Michael Grange)

Generale Alphonso Di Paola what medals did he recieve in WW1? Read answer...
What country did Alphonso de Albuquerque sail for? Read answer...
Where are the Johnsons from? Read answer...

Help us answer these
Where did the alphonso mango originate?
Alphonso de albuquerque?
Why did archchibald alphonso alexander die?

Post a question - any question - to the WikiAnswers community:

 

Copyrights:

Artist. Copyright © 2009 All Media Guide, LLC. Content provided by All Music Guide ®, a trademark of All Media Guide, LLC. All rights reserved.  Read more
Wikipedia. This article is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Alphonso Johnson" Read more

 

Mentioned in