SWEET PAPA.. LOU DONALDSON QUARTET @ Dizzy's Club Coca Cola in NYC w/Pat Bianchi, Randy Johnston & Fukushi Tainaka Tuesday thru Sunday, Aug 31-Sep 5

[WASHINGTON DC JAZZ NETWORK]

33 West 60th Street New York, NY 10023-7905 [phone]

Take care of the music and the music will take care of you!

THE

Living Alto Player

"SWEET PAPA"

LOU DONALDSON

QUARTET

Featuring Pat Bianchi, Randy Johnston & Fukushi Tainaka

Tuesday through Sunday, Aug 31-Sep 5

REMEMBER TO PAUSE MUSIC PLAYER WHEN WATCHING VIDEOS

AKIKO TSRUGA

Join us every night this week for After Hours with the Akiko Tsuruga Quartet, featuring The Hot Fives Special: $5 Cover, $5 Menu, and $5 Drink Specials every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, now until September 6, 2010.

Make a Reservation

Jazz with Saxophone Legend

"Sweet Papa"

Lou Donaldson

Once he moved to New York, Lou worked weekends in Jersey with Dud Bascomb’s band. One night while working at Minton’s Playhouse -- the famous jazz club, he was approached by Alfred Lyons of Blue Note Records to make a recording and he suggested that Lou make a Charlie Parker-type recording which he did with the Milt Jackson Quartet. At that time, it was Milt Jackson, Percy Heath, John Lewis, and Kenny Clark. Later on this group would be called the Modern Jazz Quartet. The record was successful and the company asked him to make a record on his own and this is why he’s most proud of his time at Blue Note Records-- because this date started a career for him that actually made him bring several musicians to Blue Note Records and today he’s very proud to have been the first to record these musicians -- Horace Silver, Clifford Brown, Grant Green, John Patton, Blue Mitchell, Donald Byrd, Horace Parlan, Tommy Turrentine, Al Harewood, George Tucker, Jameel Nasser, and Curtis Fuller -- with his group at Blue Note Records. Lou brought Gene Harris and the 3 Sounds from Washington DC to New York to record with him on the famous album called LD Plus 3 which was a big hit. His most famous group was Herman Foster on piano, Ray Baretto on conga, Peck Morrison on bass, and Dave Bailey on drums, which was the best move he made during his tenure on the label. This group recorded the famous record which is still selling today, Blues Walk -- and on the back side, The Masquerade is Over. This solo is dearly considered by many disc jockeys as one of the top alto solos of all times and, along with Blues Walk, was used by many as a theme song. Read more: www.loudonaldson.com

REMEMBER TO PAUSE MUSIC PLAYER WHEN WATCHING VIDEOS

George V Johnson Jr & Lou Donaldson

I first met Lou Donaldson during the early 70's at the "Pigfoot". A Jazz Club owned by guitarist Bill Harris, while hanging out with the late John Malachi. Every Tuesday night John hosted a jazz workshop where many of the up and coming singers and musicians would sign up to play, but on the other 5 nights he performed with his trio. In those days I hung out at the club practically every night! John and I developed a close relationship that would last until his passing. He was my best friend and always looked out for me. We talked practically every week or so for 15 years. He invited me to the basement of his home to rehearse, shoot the breeze and told me many, many stories about the his career and the music. Things you don't read about in the history books. John wrote out the first song me and a friend Wayne Prentice composed. I had been telling John about this song, so he said come over and let me write it out. I hummed it to him and within a hour or so it was finished. He asked me what was the name of the song and I told him we had no name. So he said let's call it "OPENING NIGHT"

A few weeks later John featured me on my first professional debut. He introduced me as "Your Majesty" George V Johnson Jr. John Malachi also gave Sarah here stage name "SASSY" Sarah Vaughn. The University of John Malachi.

Different musicians who played with John over the years would stop by whenever they were in town performing. From Billie Eckstine, Jimmy McPhail, Sarah Vaughn, Shirley Horn, Smitty, Teddy Smith, Arthur & Red Prysock, Art Blakey with his entire band, Dizzy Gillespie, Al Hibbler, Etta Jones, Houston Person, Rick Henderson, George Coleman, Frank Foster, Count Basie, Clifford Jordan, Harold Vick, Lou Rawls, Billy Mitchell, The Four Tops, Everette Green, Hank Crawford, David 'Fathead' Newman, Johnny Griffin, Milt Jackson, politicians, television & celebrity movies stars and many others who befriended him. It was the best learning platform one could ask for and because of John Malachi, the Pigfoot was the most popular club in Washington DC at that time. I was in dreamland! Sometimes it turned into a all night session and afterwards we'd all have breakfast at a local restaurant til sun up.

In fact it was John and Bill Harris who informed me that Eddie Jefferson was coming to town in 1974 to perform at Ft Dupont Park and how I first met the man who influenced my career singing the Art of Jazz Vocalese style. After we met Eddie would stay at my apartment whenever he came to DC to perform until his passing in 1979. Eddie was thrilled to meet a young man who knew all his material note for note. I was on him like white on rice. Every chance I had I would travel to NYC to stay with him and go to all his concerts. I went as far as Detroit to hear him perform. Our relationship was also like father and son. After 3 years Eddie Jefferson surprised me and called me to the stage in Philadelphia at the Grendals Lair on South Street. I received first hand instructions and on stage experiences from one of the greatest performers in the world. He taught me things I would never learn in any school in the world. E.J. left the planet May 9, 1979. His life was cut short and was murdered after a performance in Detroit at Baker's Keyboard Lounge while leaving the club. Walking out with him was Richie Cole and girlfriend, drummer Roy Brooks and tap dancer Paul Leonard. It was one of the saddest day of my life, but I pledged to sing the message and carry on the style of Jazz Vocalese. Telling stories by writing and singing lyrics to improvised solos. (A Griot)

The University of Eddie Jefferson

1977 EJ and GVJ @ the Left Bank Jazz Society

Passing the tourch..

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

I began singing Eddie Jefferson, King Pleasures and Jon Hendricks material when I was about 9 years old. Thanks to my dad George Sr., who always played their music around the home. When he was at work I would sneak and turn on his stereo system, pull out his microphone and sing along with their LP's for hours. My favorite songs at the time were "Little Boy Don't Scared" and Moody's Mood for Love and A Night In Tunisia. This went on my entire up bringing and this is how I first started singing jazz. My dad's best friend was the resident manager and a pianist name Spencer Payne. Mr. Payne who had jam sessions at this apartment very often. All the local musicians would drop by to jam. Like Keter Betts, Calvin Jones, Shirley Horn, Nap Turner and others who I would befriend as a young kid and meet later on in life on stage at the Pigfoot with John Malachi.

Shaw Jr High School during the early 40's

Front row: George Sr 3rd seat from right and Shirley Horn far right

Shirley Horn went to Shaw Jr High with my father. They grew up together. When I got older and met up with her in the jazz clubs I told her my name was George V Johnson Jr and we became good friends. She would always kid me that she loved my dad and he was a lover in school. All the girls loved George.

Me & John Malachi when he presented me on my second television appearance in 1976.

Sue Simmons Show

"THE PLACE"

Simmons was with WRC-TV in Washington DC from 1976 to 1979,

where she co-anchored with Jim Vance

"The Place" was a weekly Entertainment News show and probably one of the first shows on television that shot on location at different venues and interviewed celebrities. She was a pioneer and a beautiful person.

George V Johnson Jr presenting John Malachi a Lifetime Achievement Award at Jimmy McPhails Jazz Club in N.E. Washington DC. Myself along with group of John's closest friends (musicians and singers) decided to honor him. It was a great day in Washington DC. (photo by William Brower)

Below:

Handwritten letter of recommendation by John Malachi when I applied for the National Endowment of the Arts to present a Jazz Opera.

John always invited me to sing whenever a noted saxophonist would sit in. My first experience with "Sweet Papa" Lou was on stage playing Now's the Time, Billies Bounce, Yardbird Suite, A Night In Tunisia. It was an experience that would lead me to quit my job as a Metro Bus operator and move to New York City. All the musicians would always encourage me and say come to NYC, come to NYC. That's what I eventually did in 1979. This is how it started my career on stage and for over 35 years Lou Donaldson and I have remained close friends. When and where ever Lou is playing I never have to ask to sit in or sing. He always looks out and tells the audience that George V Johnson Jr is the best real jazz singer in the business and nobody can sing like Charlie Parker better. I love Lou Donaldson!!

I remember like it was yesterday, my second night in NYC I stopped by Sweet Basil and as soon as I walked in Lou Donaldson called me to the stage. I was Baptised on the spot. I also met drummer Mark and Billy Johnson bassist from Milwaukee, who just moved to the city around the same time and became my best friends. Coincidentally, John and my dad passed a year apart and are buried about 30 feet from each other. The never met!

The University of James Moody

WBGO Live New Years Broadcast @ Sweet Basil 1985

A broadcast we did 3 yrs in a row. Art Blakey & the Jazz Messerngers would take the helm afterwards.

It was one of over a dozen live NPR Coast to Coast radio broadcast.

Sweet Basil, Village Vanguard, Carnegie Hall Kool Jazz Festival, South Seaport Jazz Festival, Town Hall with Strings produced by Barry Harris, Massachusetts,

Hartford Ct and many others. Moody put me in many great situations..

I went on to meet and sing with James Moody during the 80's until I got a job as a railroad conductor for New Jersey Transit and was on call 24/7. It became almost impossible to lead the double life. My family was my first priority so I eventually left Moody's band. When I was married each time my wife went into labor with my 3 sons I was performing with James Moody at Sweet Basil or the Village Vanguard and had to rush down the highway to get home. Thank you Moody for the great moments. At the time I was singing with Moody, Lou Donaldson.and Pharoah Sanders..

THE GEORGE V JOHNSON JR SHOW

Exploring America's Classical Music "JAZZ"

CLICK TO LISTEN

Takin Jazz with Sweet Papa Lou Donaldson 7/21/09

Historic 2 hour Interview

CLICK TO LISTEN LIVE

.

JOIN US IN THE CHAT ROOM
OR FEEL FREE TO CALL THE STUDIO
1-347-637-3988

Exploring America's Classic Music

JIMMY HEATH

GVJ and Jimmy Heath @ Kennedy Center "Tribute to Ella"

I WALKED WITH GIANTS

Available in Bookstores

Purchase here

Exploring America's Classical Music "JAZZ

with Jimmy Heath

JIMMY HEATH.COM

CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILS

ATTENTION ALL ARTIST AND MEMBERS - CLICK SHARE BUTTON BELOW - THEN CLICK MORE OPTIONS TO SHARE WITH YOUR FRIENDS ON FACEBOOK, MYSPACE, DIGGS, AND EMAIL LISTINGS