An Advocate for Preserving America's Classical Music "Jazz"

It's heritage, roots and legacy...

Talkin jazz, Speakin jazz...Real Jazz!!!

"THE ART OF JAZZ VOCALESE"

 GEORGE V JOHNSON JR

(Official site)
Executive Director & Founder
Washington DC Jazz Network
240-694-7560

Over 40 years of on stage experience...

Vocalist, Lyricist, Actor, Recording Artist, Voice Overs,

Commentaries, TV, Radio, Theater & Concert Producer, Promoter,

Publisher, Consultant, Publicist, Jazz Radio Host,

Jazz Vocalese Workshop Instructor,

Vocal Coach, Playwright, Blogger, Music Therapist, 

 Internet Marketing & Advertising, Website designer and more...

Available for Bookings

info@washingtondcjazznetwork.com

EDDIE JEFFERSON

Innovator and Founding Father

"The Art of Jazz Vocalese"

Writing lyrics to improvised solos note for note...

Eddie Jefferson & George V Johnson Jr 1977

Left Bank Jazz Society...passing the torch!!

E. J. Quote...

He's one of my students from Washington DC

George V Johnson Jr...

He's Next In Line...Next in Line!!

Click to listen

THE LEGACY CONTINUES....

GEORGE  V JOHNSON JR, writes lyrics about complex things: personal experiences, love, history, family, home, heaven and most of all Jazz! Phrases turn, emotions connect, melodies soar. It’s a fuel that burns full-throttle, ignited by the heat of his soulful voice and the power and passion of his performance. You sing along even though you’ve never heard the tune before. George writes from a perspective of distances, of interludes between lovers and lives and the roads that lead from small towns to big cities.

THE GEORGE V JOHNSON JR SHOW (Click here)
Washington DC Jazz Network 

Imagine listening to a seasoned jazz musician rip into a bebop solo so sizzling and smooth it makes your senses tingle. Close your eyes and play along. Try and picture the sweat bouncing off the performer like the notes that leap through the air. See if you can hear the mesmerizing melodies go up and down, bringing you through joy and sadness, taking your emotions on a sensory experience unlike any other. Now picture that musician and his beloved instrument: His voice. That's the art of vocalese, and that's what native D.C. son George V Johnson Jr. has been doing for over 40 years. Working as a performer, a D.C. Metrobus driver and a New Jersey train conductor at different times throughout his life, Johnson's latest work has taken the form of pedagogy. He has become a teacher and mentor to both aspiring and established vocalists from around the area, and most recently he has lent his years of experience and talent to American University, leading the AU jazz vocal ensemble. ~~By Ben Lozovsky

COLTRANE’S classic “Moments Notice” is a complete gas! Sanders like Coltrane, pulls and holds attention with his entrances. Bobby Hutcherson’s and Hicks solo’s are heated and models of vivid imagination. The three put forth some of the very best solo’s in the entire album. The there’s the arresting new talent introduced here on compact disc in debute - GEORGE V JOHNSON JR., whose marvelous lyrics and viocal work are truly auspicous! He sngs with James Moody on occassion and is happily remindflul of the insistent giftness of the late EDDIE JEFFERSON. Johnson’s three stanzars close with ”Relax dig the sounds of Coltrane’s Music. Coltrane fills your heart with love and harmony. Trane played with magic. Listen to the melodies and you will see momently. When you here the message of his song!”. There’s no doubt in my mind that henceforth George V Johnson sholuld and will be sought for his own gift to the music. He sang the song for Sanders at the Village Vanguard, and Sanders “felt that George ought to be heard”. Thank you, Pharoah Sanders for your spirit of sharing! Wheeeeee....what a dynamite track this is~~~~HERBIE WONG!