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.
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!
So much info - thanks for sharing this great page, George! And I love the photos, particularly the black & white shot of you that says "I'm a confident, accomplished artist who is living his passion!" Peace always, Jordan
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Looking forward to this Sunday Serenade come Sunday April 24th, when VTY Jazz pays their respects to trombonist Benny Powell. All of this will be going down live at the fabulous Cutting Room and just to pull your coats, their will be no squares allowed �de42. If your Hip you know the deal and where to be come Sunday April 24th. Reservations are strongly suggested, 917-882-9539. April is Jazz Appreciation month, but for the Hip, Jazz appreciation is 24/7 twelve months a year. If your not Hip you need to get Hip quick because you're missing some great music and vibes. Hope to see you live and in-person at the Cutting Room on April 24th.
The DC Jazz Festival in collaboration with the Howard University Department of Music is presenting jazz pianist Orrin Evans in a 3 day jazz residency beginning on March 15-17, 2022.
W.D.C.J.N. is one of the first American Jazz Networks to embrace the remaining truly great Jazz legends of our times and upcoming Jazz greats through today’s social media.
The W.D.C.J.N. is now internationally reaching Jazz musician, enthusiasts and aficionados, promoters, festivals of Jazz around the world. A real eye opener for people researching the history and present day development an evolution of America’s only original art form and historical legacy.
I fully endorse this institution "The Washington DC Jazz Network" and encourage anyone that is fond of Jazz to visit the Washington D.C. Jazz Network; today and become a member or make a donation to a worthy cause.
Hello George, I am proud to be a member of the Washington DC Jazz Network (WDJN).
I am able to find out what's going on in town and on the east coast
and to network with other musicians. I get a lot of my news from the emails I receive from WJN.
I also would like to thank you for supporting the Jazz
program at Howard University in Washington, DC. Keep up the great work.~~~FRED IRBY
The Howard University Jazz Ensemble will present it's Fall Concert @ Andrew Rankin Memorial Chapel.
The guest soloist will be saxophonist Javon Jackson. Mr. Jackson is a veteran of the bands of Art Blakey, Freddie Hubbard, Elvin Jones and Les McCann. There will also be a performance by AFRO BLUE, the award winning vocal jazz ensemble.
Critics have their purposes, and they're supposed to do what they do, but sometimes they get a little carried away with what they think someone should have done, rather than concerning themselves with what they did~~~Duke Ellington
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WATSON-JOHNSON DANCE THEATRE
Trenton New Jersey's Premiere Dance Institution
Presents
"NUTCRACKER CAFE' AU LAIT" Sat., Dec. 22, 2012 RSVP Today!
Bring the Entire Family!
Available for
Bookings & Tours
609.403.6070
Ms. Carol Artistic Director Founder Choreographer B.F.A. Howard University 1980 A Member of the Washington DC Jazz Network
W.D.C.J.N. is one of the first American Jazz Networks to embrace the remaining truly great Jazz legends of our times and upcoming Jazz great through today’s social media.
The W.D.C.J.N. is now internationally reaching Jazz musician, enthusiasts and aficionados, promoters, festivals of Jazz around the world. A real eye opener for people researching the history and present day development an evolution of America’s only original art form and historical legacy.
I fully endorse this institution and encourage anyone that is fond of Jazz to visit the Washington D.C. Jazz Network; today and become a member or make a donation to a worthy cause.
I caught a straight up vibe with this song. The intro led me into euphoria leading up to tha chorus dropping. It's tha kind of song that makes you want to move even if you're not much of a dancer. The "breaking free" part of her lyrics is just so beautifully sung. Gotta love a singer who uses her voice to glorify God.…
Hey Friends! For the last four years Jacey Falk has been working on THE BENNY GOLSON DOCUMENTARY. I am elated to report that the film is almost finished. However, Ihe needs the last chunk of money to get it on the screen. A GoFundMe campaign has been created and the film needs your help! PLEASE…
Through the help of compelling compositions released so far and a number of tunes lined up for release later, rising artist Kesha Janaan is proving to be a breath of fresh air in the music scene
Albuquerque, New Mexico – December 25th, 2022 – Up-and-coming artist Kesha Janaan is a true force to be dealt with in the world of music, possessing incredible excellence in the genres of Jazz, RnB, and Soul music. Having released a bunch of songs so…
An ambitious collective from southern Sweden gone international, Tolvan Big Band’s stunning album, “Interacting” presents an enchanting experience
Löddeköpinge, Skania, Sweden — From the mind of artistic singer-songwriter, Helge Albin, Tolvan Big Band has swiftly catapulted into an inspiring and reputed Jazz collective of today. A formidable institution, Tolvan Big Band is renowned for their enriching, original soundtracks and music…
Grand Prairie, Texas — Award-winning retro jazz singer Laura Ainsworth has become known worldwide for her warm, rich vocal style that’s been compared to Julie London and Rosemary Clooney and for resurrecting long-forgotten songs and seldom-recorded lyrics. So when XO Publicity, which is promoting her newly-released fourth album of new material, You Asked For It, requested that she cut her first Christmas song for radio, she said, “She needed…
Bringing back a timeless track after 4 years, Gary Driscoll makes audiences revisit London’s iconic East End and undergo an experience to remember
Hornchurch, Essex, United Kingdom — Renewing the classic appeal of Jazz with his own distinct and imaginative style, Gary Driscoll is an entertainer to be remembered. With the re-release of his single, “The Old East End Tonight,” the…
With instrumentation that draws each listener into its boundless depths, “Roseberry Shuffle” is a record that sets the dynamic artist onto a whole new course
Melbourne, FL — Known as a rising artist who sculpts incredible and thematically moving compositions, David DeBlois is a true genius. The seasoned instrumentalist and composer is now returning with yet another admirable work, titled: ‘…
This seven-piece consortium of musical singles leads the audience on a journey through many musical worlds.
Brugge, West Vlaander, Belgium — 4th November 2022- Roy Andrews is a new up-and-coming artist who aspires to create music that syncs with his multifarious and diverse taste in different genres to create a uniquely creative space for all those that enjoy listening…
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GEORGE V JOHNSON JR
Happy Birthday...!!!
https://jazzonthetube.com/video/take-five/?omhide=true
Regards
Marta Graciela Bressi:)
"Liken" it. Good move.
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HELLO GEORGE****
Thanks for stopping by!
I love you
George V Johnson Jr
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