Ladies and gentlemen, we're gonna bring up a young man from Washington DC, George V Johnson Jr. A great, soulful, bebop singer. My opinion one of the best in America. He's even written lyrics to my solo on the MAMBO INN! This is a rare treat. Me and Him! We're gonna feature him on a Charles Christopher Parker tune "My Little Suede Shoes" with original lyrics. In fact, he's written lyrics to over 30 of Bird's classic compositions. If you have any questions give me a call~~~~~ LOU DONALDSON
EXPLORE THE WORLD OF TAP DANCING & THE EDDIE JEFFERSON SCHOOL OF BOP.
THE ART OF JAZZ VOCALESE
WRITING AND SINGING LYRICS TO IMPROVISED HORN SOLOS. It's Hip, It's Fun, It's Educational...
Contact me for Vocalese training. Looking for dedicated, hard working singers. Become a member of the International Jazz Vocalese Choir.
THE FATHER OF THE ART OF JAZZ VOCALESE
Eddie Jefferson born August 3, 1918, began his career as a Tap Dancer (Hoofer) at the tender age of 3 years old. He and his brother were called the Candy Kids. Performing in Vaudeville shows, the Medicine Circuit, Carnival Circuit, Chittling Circuit to Las Vegas Shows. Later in his career during the 1920'-30's came up with an idea and began experimenting by writing lyrics to popular jazz standards and horn solos to perform with his act to keep from repeating dance steps over and over. He was all the musicians favorite because he would dance and sing their solos. Something that was new and never seen before. Un-beknownst to him created the style which was later called The ART OF JAZZ VOCALESE. The tune that actually started it all was his lyrics to James Moody's "MOODY"S MOOD FOR LOVE" in 1949. Which were later recorded by King Pleasure in 1952.
His unique style and popularity influenced King Pleasure, Head Master - Jon Hendricks, Babs Gonzalez, Joe Carrol, Lambert, Hendricks and Ross, Betty Carter, Ella Fitzgerald, Carmen McRae, Mark Murphy, the Manhattan Transfers, and George V Johnson Jr himself as a young kid during his childhood development during the mid 50's. Because of his father's love for the music, as a child he became familiar with Jefferson, King Pleasure and Jon Hendricks material as well as Bird, Trane, Miles, Monk, Moody, Joe Williams, Leon Thomas and others.
EJ & GVJ 1977 Left Bank Jazz Society - passing the tourch
JOHNSON'S love for the music and hard work paid off. In 1974 he met Jefferson and had the rare opportunity to be mentored, study, travel, and began singing duets with the Father of Vocalese for 5 years prior to his death. Jefferson was thrilled to see a young cat that knew all his material note for note during the Funk & RB period and decided to take him under his wings. "THE UNIVERSITY OF EDDIE JEFFERSON" After E.J's passing he moved to NYC to continue the legacy of Vocalese in 1979. Several months later he met James Moody. Once again he was taken under the wings of a jazz master and for 10 years he perormed with Moody giving him the opportunity to further develop his career and write lyrics to many jazz standards. "THE UNIVERSITY OF JAMES MOODY" During that same period Johnson had the opportunity to be presented by "Lou Donaldson" refining his Bird Lyrics. "THE UNIVERSITY OF LOU DONALDSON". While performing with Sweet Papa as they call him, Donaldson would introduce him and together they would perform Bird's solos note for note, thrilling audiences where ever they performed. "THE UNIVERSITY OF CHARLIE PARKER" Johnson also had the opportunity to refined his vocal skills with jazz pianist "Barry Harris for several years and performed with the Jazz Choir. Barry Harris produced and featured Johnson along with James Moody at a Town Hall concert "To Bird with Love" with strings and a 100 voice directed by the late Coldridge Taylor Perkins. "THE UNIVERSITY OF BARRY HARRIS".
While in NYC Johnson performed daily as a street musician, visited clubs often and was welcomed with open arms by many jazz greats including George Coleman, Harold Mabern, Kenny Barron, Frank Foster, Clifford Jordan, Mike Longo, Dizzy Gillespie, Harold Vick, Tommy Turrentine, Pharoah Sanders, Leon Thomas, Joe Lee Wilson, Junior Cook, Bill Hardman and many more. Others vocalist were soon to follow.. Kurt Elling, Kevin Mahogany, T.C. the 3rd and many more...
TINA PRATT - Featured on Freedom Jazz - CD NEXT IN LINE!
One of the best kept secrets of jazz tap. With a career that spans over 6 decades. Tina has a wealth of experience and historical knowledge of world of jazz tap. Her story should be a PBS or HBO special. We met in 1979 while performing together with Barry Harris in concert at Symphony space. A 30 year friendship. I fell in love with her artistry and soul. It was my first experience with a female tap dancer. We immediately became close friends and I would feature Tina on concerts I produced in NYC and NJ. She has shared so many stories and life experiences. Every inch of her apartment walls are covered with pictures of dancers from every style of tap that she's performed with since a child studying in Pittsburgh PA. She’s the living embodiedment of the phrase "DIVA". Like a walking history book. Explore the world of Tina Pratt. Listen to Tina "TAP" on Freedom Jazz the CD "NEXT IN LINE" Live at the 1st Annual Trenton Jazz Festival.
CHLOE ARNOLD, LA, NY, DC
Dancer, Actress. Choreographer, Director, Producer, TV & Film Actress, Beyonce body double...
Takes tap to the highest level with her imagination, creativity and youthful approach. She's awesome...
I attended a "Tap City" concert and award ceremony at Symphony. A yearly event produced by Tony Waag of the American Tap Dance Foundation, Inc. There were nearly 50 young dancers. One of the standouts and most impressive dancers was Chloe Arnold. Reminded me of Tina Pratt in her young days.
Very talented, dances with dept, explosiveness, great imagination, full of soul, grace and most of all "BEAUTY". She taps into your heart and leaves you breathless. The world is yours Chloe Arnold~~~YM
www.chloearnold.com
TONY WAGG, Producer of Tap City
THE UNDENIABLE BRANDY STEPHENS, Professional dancer, model, actress, singer. One of my many former singing students who was always full of fire, drive and determination. She started her dance training career at age 8 with Watson-Johnson Dance Theatre in Trenton N.J. Brandee is now making her mark in the Hip Hop world and can be seen dancing with some of the biggest stars the day including, Little Bow Bow, Ferg, Jim Jones, Shondrae Bangladesh, Buster Rhymes, LL Cool J, Black Eye Peas, Usher, MTV Awards, Grammy Awards and many more~~~(GVJ Co-founder WJDT)
GVJ & Patience Higgins @ the Grand Re-opening of "Minton's Playhouse 2006. Patience serves as Musical Director for Savion Glover for the past 10 years . America's new tap master, who incorporates innovative moves to all forms of todays music. In high demand around the world...
SAVION GLOVER
Mama's little baby love shortening, shortening, Mama's little baby love shortening Bread, Put it in the oven, Bake it fast, mama's little baby love shortening Bread....Freedom Jazz Dance Wow....Freedom Jazz Dance yeah...
BILL BOJANGLES "The Father of Tap"
I love to tap...tap...tap !
GREGORY HINES "The man who brought Tap back to Life". God bless him for his persistance, focus, courage and creativity. The World Loves you! Rest in peace ~~YM
GREGORY HINES AND SAMMY DAVIS JR...THE CHALLENGE
THE GREAT BABY LAWRENCE.....
JIMMY SLYDE
TEDDY HALE
FREEDOM JAZZ DANCE WOW! FREEDOM JAZZ DANCE OOOOHH!
Hehehehehehhe....
CHI CHI
Las Vegas, Chicago, LA, NYC
Actress, model, dancer, radio personality. Performs in many music videos and concerts with some of the biggest names in the industry.
CHI CHI...
Recorded in 1981 - Pharoah Sanders features George V Johnson Jr and his original lyrics to "MOMENTS NOTICE". Recorded at Power Station Studio, NYC
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!
CBS AND ALL THE REST, WARNER BROTHERS AND ALL THE OTHERS...
"THINKING IN JAZZ"....a great book for jazz enthusiast. Read about GVJ
HISTORICALLY SPEAKING...
YOUNGEST BROTHER SIFU DEREK JOHNSON - 2004 The first and only African American to have his name etched in stone on the scared wall in CHINA with centuries of Kong Fu Masters. www.jowtigers.com - The family started him off in Marshal Arts in 1974 at the age of 6. He continued his training and is highly respected around the world. Often travels to Japan, China, Germany & Poland. Recently returned from Beijing meeting with Chinese Kong Fu Masters, performing demonstrations, judging and presenting lectures.
GEORGE V JOHNSON JR, Entertainer, lyricist, considered by many as "Heir Apparent" to the late Eddie Jefferson, Father of the Art of Jazz Vocalese, also performed with James Moody, Lou Donaldson and made debute recording with Pharoah Sanders on the CD REJOICE in 1981. Original Lyrics to John Coltrane's classic "Moments Notice". Recently penned lyrics to over 40 Hank Mobley compositions. Performs original lyrics to solo's of many jazz greats. Currently lead his own group. Available for concerts, festivals, vocalese workshops, master classes, clubs, tours, motion pictures, theatre, etc.
Eric Brace of the Washington Post describes Johnson as "One of the foremost practitioners of the Art of Jazz Vocalese"
He writes lyrics about complex things: personal experiences, love, history, family, home, heaven and most of all Jazz! Phrases turn, emotions connect, melodies soa, sweat pours. 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. He continues the legacy with dreams of travelling the world spreading the message. For bookings email: jazzijeri@yahoo.com - Jeri Gardiner
FEB 2, 2006 THE EAGLE
AMERICAN UNIVERSITY
www.TheEagleOnline.com
Former Washington D.C. bus driver & New Jersey Train Conductor sings jazz, vocalese. Johnson worked his way up with song, now assists AU vocalists
By BEN LOZOVSKI
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 ! 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.
Despite his lack of formal musical training, Johnson was exposed to music early in his life, straight from some of the greatest jazz pioneers in the District's history. Even before he was 10 years old, Johnson was already hanging out at the jam sessions held by the resident manager of his apartment building, also a pianist. There he would come to watch and - if he was lucky - sing for pocket change from local legends like Shirley Horn and Buck Hill.
When he was 22, Johnson showed up for a workshop at the famous Pigfoot Club, now long gone from the D.C. landscape, only to win over the respect and affection of pianist John Malachi, an international star who was a member of the original Billy Eckstine Be Bop Orchestra. He played alongside luminaries like Art Blakey, Dexter Gordon and Sarah Vaughan. It was through his relationship with Malachi that Johnson was able to meet and befriend his childhood idol, singer Eddie Jefferson. Considered by many as the father of vocalese, the practice of setting recorded instrumental solos to lyrics, Jefferson already knew of Johnson when they first met in Fort Dupont Park in Southeast D.C.
"I guess my reputation preceded me up to New York, because [traveling musicians stopping through the Pigfoot] would tell Eddie, 'There's a young cat singing your stuff,'" Johnson said.
After three years of patiently watching Jefferson perform, Johnson finally received a call from up to the stage to perform with him at a club in Philadelphia. Johnson still remembers the exact words uttered by Jefferson that night: "This is one of my students, George V Johnson ... he's next in line," Johnson said.
Years later, after Jefferson was murdered in Detroit, Johnson made the essential exodus for any jazz musician: A trip to New York City. Within a year of moving there he was already busting his chops with some serious jazz heavyweights, singing with the likes of James Moody and Pharoah Sanders, and even writing lyrics and performing for Sanders on his classic 1981 record "Release."
After singing for 10 years with Moody in New York, Johnson was forced to get a day job to help support his growing family. He never forgot his main love though, and would travel sporadically down to D.C. with Moody and his band. It was during those many trips that he first performed at the Twins Lounge in Northwest D.C. After moving back to Washington in the summer of 2005, Johnson resumed his relationship with the Twins establishments,
organizing and hosting a 12-hour music marathon with 100 local musicians as a fundraiser for Hurricane Katrina Victims one week after Katrina hit New Orleans.
Fundraising for Habitat for Humanity (Jimmy Carter) and Higher Ground Relief Fund (Wynton Marsalis) to replace musical instruments.
TWINS JAZZ "MARATHON FUNDRAISER A SUCCESS"
By George V Johnson Jr. (September 12, 2005)
Twins Jazz would like to personally thank the Washington DC JAZZ Community for supporting the JAZZ MARATHON FUNDRAISER for the Victims of Hurricane Katrina. Many area musicians went above and beyond the call of duty to assist in making this event a success. Beautiful jazz music was played 12
hours non stop. Ten hours of this event was recorded live on video. At the door were two 5 gallon water bottles. Jazz listeners who attended the event generously gave from their hearts to two organizations of their choice.
TOTAL AMOUNT RAISED: $3,842.00
$2,473.00 for Higher Ground Relief Fund (Wynton Marsalis)
$1,369.00 for Habitat For Humanity (Harry Connick Jr, Honorary Spokesperson)
A MESSAGE FROM GEORGE V JOHNSON JR.
As an American and a jazz musician, it was an honor to organize the fundraiser for the musicians and citizens of New Orleans. After watching all the news accounts I felt I had to do something to help.
It was actually Willard Jenkins of WPFW who emailed and informed me that
Wynton Marsalis was planning the "Higher Ground Relief Fundraiser" to replace musical instruments and other emergency needs for musicians that were lost during Hurricane Katrina at the Lincoln Center in New York City on September 17th.
On the news I watched Harry Connick Jr. make a plead for donations to benefit "HABITAT FOR HUMANITY" to help rebuild homes that were destroyed. It was very touching as well. After imagining New Orleans the birthplace of jazz with no jazz clubs, musicians with no instruments and people with no place to live. I put myself in the place of the musicians and citizens and immediately took action.
I approached Kelly & Maze Tesfaye, proprietors of Twins Jazz about the idea. Without hesitation, they donated the club and proceeds from that day as well. I had 5 days to pull it off and was up day and night throughout the week planning, networking, personally calling musicians, emailing & faxing radio stations, newspapers, television stations and jazz listeners etc.
By the grace of God everything fell into place. I'd also like to thank the staff at WPFW and other radio stations for announcing the event many times throughout the week reaching many jazz listeners, which also contributed to the success. This is a start in the right direction. Hopefully, it will mushroom and other jazz venues in the Washington DC area who have been presenting jazz music throughout the years will follow suit. The musicians and citizens of New Orleans are in desperate need of our help. I'd also like to thank Dr. Gabou Mendy, Board member of the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation & WWOZ Radio host for eloquently speaking at the engagements as well.
Thank you for your support and listening to America's Classical Music "JAZZ" the Original Art Form of America.
Jazzically yours,
George V Johnson Jr
Since then, he has performed and taught a weekly vocalese workshop every Wednesday at Twins Lounge, where on many nights you can stop by and hear him lending his rich, throaty yet smooth vocals to revered jazz standards as well as wide range of original pieces. His voice is distinctive yet amazingly approachable, but when he attacks a solo, he often transforms into a churning chromatic trumpet, blazing away at a rate at which any instrumentalist would be jealous.
One instrumentalist who couldn't help but take notice was AU music professor Dr. Will Smith. After playing together at the former BET jazz club, Smith immediately felt a connection with Johnson's unmistakable voice. It became clear that Smith knew his collaborator formally as Mr. Johnson, [the voice of the train Smith would take every day from New Jersey to high school in Manhattan.]
Currently, Johnson is dedicated to putting lyrics to the songs of Hank Mobley, and is also striving to lead the world's first vocalese choir.
John Malachi spent most of his career accompanying top jazz-oriented singers. A self-taught pianist, Malachi's first important musical job was with Trummy Young from 1943-44. He was a member of the classic Billy Eckstine Bebop Orchestra from 1944-45, contributing both piano solos and advanced arrangements. Malachi was back with Eckstine in 1947, toured with Illinois Jacquet in 1948 and then worked with Pearl Bailey in 1950, Dinah Washington in 1951, Louis Jordan in 1951, Sarah Vaughan from 1952-54, Al Hibbler from 1955-58 and Joe Williams. Malachi's later years were spent freelancing in Washington D.C. ~ Scott Yanow,
Worked With: Howard Scott, Sarah Vaughan, J.J. Johnson, Roy Haynes, Gail Brockman, Art Blakey, Joe Benjamin, Tommy Potter, Leo Parker, Dexter Gordon, Billy Eckstine, Gene Ammons
Malachi says while in the Eckstine band Sarah was a very fast and sassy teenager and was always cursing out the cats in the band. He would tell her stop being so Sassy. While accompanying the soon to be Diva he began introducing her as "SASSY" Sarah Vaughn. John Malachi accompanied practically every major singer in that era including Sarah Vaughn, Carmen McRae, Pearl Bailey, Leona Horne, Joe Williams, Billy Holiday, Al Hibbler, Arthur Prysock, Etta Jones, Milton Smith and many, many more. For years Malachi was the rehearsal pianist for the Count Basie Band. John Malachi and Dr. Billy Taylor are to of the prominent pianist to come from Washington DC after EDWARD KENNEDY "DUKE" ELLINGTON.
In 1975 while featuring Johnson on his first professional presentation Malachi began introducing him as the one and only "YOUR MAJESTY" George V Johnson Jr. A name taken from a his theme song he composed for the great Charlie Parker. Johnson asked Malachi why? He chuckled and responded because "You are Unique and different from any other singer."
Below is a letter of recommendation for the National Endowment of the Arts handwritten by John Malachi.
SHIRLEY HORN...A life long friend and a beautiful human being. I LOVE YOU SHIRLEY....
GVJ penned Original Lyrics to Duke Ellington's Nut Cracker Suite "The Overture"
by Peter Tchaikovsky
Original lyrics to over 40 Hank Moble's class compositions
NO ROOM FOR SQUARES...
HE'S NEXT IN LINE!!!
THE ONE AND ONLY GEORGE V JOHNSON JR
JAMES MOODY "MOODY'S MOOD FOR LOVE"
GVJ & JAMES MOODY 1985 - JAZZMOBILE
CHARLES "CHRISTOPHER" PARKER - BIRD.....ORIGINAL LYRICS TO OVER 30 CHARLIE PARKER COMPOSITIONS - "MY LITTLE SUEDE SHOES"
BIRD LIVES!
NOW'S THE TIME!
ARNOLD STERLING - "MY LITTLE SUEDE SHOES" , STAR EYES & "OPENING NITE"... CBS and All the Rest...Warner Brothers and all the Others...
MARIO BAUZA'S "MAMBO INN"
FEAURING THE LATE GREAT HERMAN FOSTER ON THE CD "NEXT IN LINE". MY LITTLE SUEDE SHOES, STAR EYES, MAMBO INN
HERMAN FOSTER PLAYS WITH LOU DONALDSON 1958 "MAMBO INN"
SIRAJ, saxophonist "FREEDOM JAZZ DANCE" CD "Next In Line"
VICTOR JONES "Freedom Jazz Dance" CD "Next In Line"
"RAISIN" 6 MONTH EUROPEAN TOUR 1979 - St. Gallen, Geneva, Zurich, Bern, Lugano, Appenzell, Litchenstein, Germany, 3 months in Paris, France. GVJ bottom - second from right....
MARIO POMPEI - Roma Italy - Carnival Live
LEN BRYANT - Philadelphia legend with a voice as smooth as velvet - Brother of pianist great Ray Bryant and uncle to the Eubank brothers. A family with a great jazz legacy.
ROME NEAL
HAROLD MABERN, my friend!
GVJ with the Fred Foss Youth Orchestra @ Westminster Church. Live Jazz every Friday evening 6:00 to 9:00 PM, 4 & I St, S.W. Wash DC. Hosted by Dick Smith
