George V Johnson Jr Quintet appears at Vincino's in Silver Spring Monday May 4, 2009 - 7:00 pm to 9:30 RSVP Today

[WASHINGTON DC JAZZ NETWORK]

VINCINO'S RESTAURANT

MONDAY, MAY 4, 2009 - 7:00 PM to 9:30 PM

The Return of...
The GEORGE V. JOHNSON, JR. QUINTET**

This will be Johnson's first Washington DC appearance in 3 years.





George V. Johnson, Jr. (Vocals), Fred Foss (sax), Janelle Gil (piano), Herm Burney (bass), Lenny Robinson (Drums)

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 AU, leading the AU jazz vocal ensemble. ~~By Ben Lozovsky

Throughout the 80's George was mentored and performed regularly with “James Moody, Lou Donaldson and made his debute recording with Pharoah Sanders on the LP REJOICE penning lyrics to John Coltrane's classic "MOMENTS NOTICE”. Johnson also penned lyrics to David Fathead Newmans signature song "Hard Times" and had the opportunity to perform with him on ocassions as well. Four of the most respected saxophonist in the history of Jazz. His close association with JAMES MOODY led to many Local & National Live Radio and Television Broadcasts, Carnegie Hall Kool Jazz Festivals, Town Hall Tribute to Charlie Parker w/Strings arranged by Barry Harris, South Seaport Jazz Festival, clubs throughout NYC including: Sweet Basil, Bottom Line, 7th Avenue South, Village Vanguard, Village Gate, Grand reopening of Live @ the Apollo’ Apollo Theatre, yearly Grant’s Tomb, Jazz Mobile concerts throuhout NYC NJ, Phila. Wash DC., P.A., Indiana, Ohio, Mt. Vernon NY, Binghamton NY, Springfield Ma., & Hartford Ct.




In 2003, George V Johnson Jr. was commissioned by Don Sickler 5 time grammy award winning producer and arranger of Second Floor Music to pen lyrics to the music of jazz legend and saxophonist, HANK MOBLEY. Since taking on the project Johnson has skillfully, completed over 40 of Mobley’s classic compositions and still counting. Some with complete solo’s. Critics are already saying this is one of the most important and extensive projects to be presented to the public from the jazz vocalese realm in many, many years. With Jazz Vocalese, still in a state of infancy, Johnson has almost single handedly kept the vocalese dream alive as exemplified from his performances presenting the Music of Hank Mobley. A feat unmatched by any of his peers in jazz music. His lyrics are well rounded, beautifully written and a classic work of art. In the spirit of EDDIE JEFFERSON, Johnson’s a modern day “GRIO” telling stories our ancestors would be very proud of.



HE'S NEXT IN LINE~~~EDDIE JEFFERSON


Join us for LIVE JAZZ with GEORGE V. JOHNSON, JR. for a cool and swingin' evening of jazz and good Italian cuisine! VINCINO'S RESTAURANT - 959 Sligo Avenue Silver Spring, Maryland - [phone] For More About GEORGE V JOHNSON JR Telephone: For tickets call [phone]

Hank’s Symphony, Soul Station, Dig Dis, No Room For Squares, East of The Village, This I Dig of You, Take Your Pick, Three Way Split, Split Feelings, Up A Step, Work Out, The Baptist Beat, My Groove Your Move, Soft Impressions, Hank’s Waltz, Chain Reaction, Roll Call, Syrup & Biscuits, Snappin Out, Comin’ Back, The Feelings Good, Uh Huh, Up Over and Out, Looking East, Cute N’ Pretty, Third Time Around, Bossa For Baby, Ballin, Madeline, No More Goodbyes, The Break Through, Hank’s Other Bag, Infra Rae, Straight NoFilter, Caddy for Daddy, The Morning After. . . and more.

As a leader George V Johnson has appeared at BET On Jazz, Twins Lounge, Twins Jazz, Utophia, Left Bank Jazz Society, Takoma Station, Westminster Church Jazz Series, Channel Inn, Smithsonian Institute, Blues Alley, East Coast Jazz Festivals, Kansas City, JazzInn in Albuquerque, Sante Fe, Taos, Arizona, LA Music Awards, Orange Co College, CA, Hartford CT, Detroit, Springfield Arts Festival, REDBONE Jazz & Blues Cafe, Kingston Jamaica, Ocho Rios Jazz Festival, Natalie’s, Ogontz Grill, Zanzibar Blue, & Gloria’s Seafood Cafe in Phila, Pa., Delaware, Yonkers Waterfront Pier, Borders Books, Va., John & Peters, Joe’s Mill Hill Saloon ,Trenton War Memorial, Urban Word, Mill Playhouse, Sugar Hill Cafe, St Nicks Pub & Lenox Lounge in Historic Harlem, w/Lou Donaldson at Charlie Parker Jazz Festivals, Jazz Mobiles & the Village Vanguard, Larry Ridley & the Jazz Legacy Ensemble at the IAJE 2000 Convention in New Orleans w/concert in the Super Dome. They also played Jazz Mobiles, Brooklyn Jazz Festival Tribute to Freddie Hubbard at Up Over Jazz Cafe and Concerts at the Schomberg in NYC. Hank Mobley Jazz Festival 2003 at Jazz Standard, 1st Ammal Trenton Jazz Summit, 1st Annual Baltimore Jazz Summit 2003, March 2002- The 2nd International Artist Conclave Jerusalem, “God Bless the Child” Film Documentary in Solidarity with all Children in Conflict. A 7-day tour of Israel with 15-yr. former “Tonight Show” Saxophonist & Educator Arnie Lawrence, Co-Founder of the New School in NYC. Arnies Band of Angels consist of Jews, Palestinians, Arabs & Americans: Appearing at Arnie’s Jazz Ness Cafe, YMCA Hall, Mt. Meirom (Overlooking the Sea of Galilee), The Galil, Hemdat Yamin, Haifa, Mt Olive, Televiv at Snyder’s” Children Hospital w/center court concert for children in kidney dialysis ward. George V Johnson was bestowed the name “PRINCE OF PEACE” for his Contributions & Courage while touring Israel. It was truly a blessing to have stayed at the Mt Zion Hotel, only a few blocks from the Holy City of David and King Solomon’s Temple. I vigorously, explored paths where Jesus Christ & his Disciples traveled and at the Wailing Wall. I prayed daily for World Peace. Amen! Your Majesty, George V Johnson, Jr., Next In Line!

GVJ far right side black and white - Broadway musical "RAISIN" 6 month European tour with Howard University 1979

Over 40 years of on stage experience: Johnson has also had the opportunity to play with John Malachi, Lou Donaldson, Fukushi Tianaka, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Buck Hill, Shirley Horn, Dizzy Gillespie, David ’Fathead’ Newman, Larry Brown Qunitet, Tina “Pratt SIRAJ, Barry Harris Jazz Choir, John Hicks, Art Davis, Billy Higgins, Danny Moore, Roy Brooks & the Artistic Truth, Miriam Haden, Kenny Cox, Claude Black, Lonnie Plaxico, Donald Walden, Marc Copeland, Keter Betts, Rufus Ried, Max Roach, Philly Joe Jones, Bootsie Barnes, Tony Williams, Richie Cole, Zoot Simms, Billy Mitchell, Al Cohn, Slam Stewart, Harold Maybern, Kurt Lightsey, Amold Sterling, Rueben Brown, Marshall Hawkins, Peter Elderman, Bernard Sweetney, Greg Holloway, Kenny Barron, Kurt Stewart, Mulgrew Miller, George Coleman, Frank Foster, Danny Mixon, Woody Shaw, ’C’ Sharp, Walter Booker, Jimmy Cobb, Jamil Nasser, Herm Hopkins, Todd Coolman, Greg Bandy, Richard Wyans, Walter Bishop, Teddy Smith and Adnam Barakat. Other hits included: Don Sickler, Victor Lewis, Ray Drummond, Frank Wess, Seamus Blake ,Eric Alexander, & Don Braden, Bobby Watson, Jimmy Wormworth. Ben Riley, Jed Levy, Billy Hart, Michael Carvin, Buster William, Leroy Williams, Calvin Hill, Tommy Turrentine, Charles Davis, Peter Ahmal, Sharon Shaheen, Byron Landham, Vince Evans, Vince Smith, DeAndre Howard, Darius Scott, Harry Appelman, Ehpriam Wolwolk, Michael Thomas, Aisha Kahlil, Ray Mabalot, Bill Saxton, Tommy Gryce, Clifford Adams, Tom Passarella, Gay Pearson, Bob Smith, Cedric Jensen, James Stewart, Bill Lacey, Bernard Samuel, Reggie Curry, Tony Wyatt, Marion Salaam, Monette Suddler, Tony Williams, Sid Simmons, Eddie Greene, Clifford Jordan, Harold Vick, Patients Higgins, Evelyn Blakey, Steve Williams, Eric Alexander, David Murray, Clearance Seay, Raymond Angry, Lenny Robinson, Fred Foss, James King, Michael Bowie, Byard Lancaster, Geri Allen, Bernard Samuel, Wallace Roney, Eric Alley, Chuck Royal, Nasar Abeday, Ronnie Mathews, Butch Reid, Mickey Tucker, Trudy Pitts, Byard Lancaster, Mr. C, Alfie Pollit, Denise King, Doug Lawrence, Jerry Jensen and a host of others. As you can George V Johnson Jr has shared the stage with some of the greatest names in Jazz. On occasions you can catch George with Lou Donaldson at 1he Village Vanguard. Audiences are in awe when they sing and play “Charlie Parker” songs note for note!