Jazz and American Identity by Sharon L. West

[Sharon L. West]

George V Johnson Jr

Advocate for Preserving America's Classical Music, "JAZZ",

it's African American Legacy, Roots and Heritage!

The Music of the 20th & 21st Century!

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by Sharon L. West

Contributing Editor

A Member of the Washington DC Jazz Network

The Washington DC Jazz Network has a rich history. Why? The worldwide recognized organization based in the United States capital helps archive the legacy of jazz greats from the past, now and ignites a stable place to prosper as a jazz artist through informative posts and opportunity to grow both emotionally and financially in their Jazz identity.

WDCJN, as it is often referred to by its members that number close to three thousand and is visited or has been visited by close to a million worldwide. The online location was spearheaded by George V. Johnson Jr., a connoisseur of Jazz and Jazz entertainer himself. 

Perhaps in part his passion for preserving his own work was a forerunner to creating the online network of historic Jazz archives and home for seasoned and upcoming talented Jazz musicians, many who sing and are educators, but I beg to differ. G. V. Johnson, Jr. is another example of an individual who understands the importance of how Jazz has established and continues to form, various aspects of American identity.

John Malachi presents George V Johnson Jr

"A Night In Tunisia"

1975 Live broadcast Channel 7 - "The Carol Hall Show" 

George V. Johnson Jr. has been around a myriad of Jazz legends for a very long time.

"Next in Line"

Father of the Art of Jazz Vocalese Eddie Jefferson passing the torch @ Left Bank Jazz Society 1977

Mentored by the late NEA Jazz Master James Moody over 30 years

In fact- George V.  Johnson Jr's own onstage presence expands over 40 years. Obviously his professional and personal experiences involved with the creative business and networking aspects of performing has lent G. V. Johnson Jr. to analyze a need and close a gap of a void that no one else had taken out time to pursue or had the continued time and support to maintain: documenting historic Jazz entertainment in a digital format globally.

NEA Jazz Master Lou Donaldson a mentor to George V Johnson Jr for over 40 years were introduced by John Malachi during a jam session at the Pigfoot.  One of DC's most popular Jazz clubs during the 70's.

It is not an easy task when one has other aspirations or responsibilities to both monitor any national or international organization and continue to implement strategic fundraising with a hand full of volunteers in some cases. There have been two other sites such as the Washington DC Jazz Network over the past 3-10 years, but with a difference in goal orientation. One such site has gone on to try its hand at online streaming, while the other concentrates primarily on members networking with each other and promoting themselves on that site, if they choose.

George V Johnson made his debut recording with Pharoah Sanders on the LP Rejoice with original lyrics to John Coltrane's classic "MOMENTS NOTICE"

NEA Jazz Master Jimmy Heath "The Gingerbread Boy"

At the WDCJN, the outreach is to archive the history of jazz on various levels that includes for instance what this blog will help to dictate and building a community that in the long run- could help employ one another directly- at least- this is what I can foresee and believe is the ultimate goal of the WDCJN creator.  We'll learn more about the Washington DC Jazz Network's CEO- George V Johnson Jr.'s more immediate plans in the near future through an upcoming interview in this blog about Jazz and American Identity.

Jazz is American Identity. It cannot be expressed enough how the expressions of sounds through voice and instrumentation by those enslaved in Africa who later became stationed in the United States of America against their will, was a cultural expression that when fused with classical music changed the color, history and future of all music, forever. Add to it the Latin tinge and you have the makings of a lingering emotional base in the form of sound that touches the heart and brain cells of all that have the honor of hearing and understanding the history of Jazz and its sounds!

As a former student of Dr. Richard Tieze, a psychiatrist who teaches about Jazz history and its effects on the human psyche and brain, I can contest that not only does Jazz reverberate through all sounds and cells in our bodies, it has the kicking boot of all music we hear and will forever associate with before electronic productions. Jazz is a good case for sanity and good health.  The Washington DC Jazz Network by that reasoning then is one of the best places to experience optimum health, all while acquiring, historic facts about Jazz history and the men and women who create it or help keep knowledge of it alive- as George V. Johnson Jr.- WDCJN CEO does and hopefully you will agree as time expands, I, Sharon L. West through visiting, reading and sharing my ongoing weekly blog here at the Washington DC Jazz Network.

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