MY LITTLE SUEDE SHOES - Lyrics to the complete Charlie Parker Solo by George V Johnson Jr (c) 1979 Your Majesty Publishing Co. - Johnson has written lyrics to over 30 of Parker's compositions.
Rare video footage performed with "THE JAZZ LEGACY ENSEMBLE" w/ Dr. Larry Ridley, Executive Director of African American Jazz Causus-bass ; featuring George V Johnson Jr, Jed Levy-tenor sax, Virgil Jones-trumpet, Richard Wyans-piano, Jimmy Wormworth-drums @ Up Over Jazz Cafe
I LOVE CHARLIE PARKER....BIRD LIVES!!!!
MY LITTLE SUEDE SHOES w/Lyrics by George V Johnson Jr - The Art of Jazz Vocalese - writing and singing lyrics to improvised solo's. "My Little Suede Shoes" was one of Charlie Parker's biggest hits during the 50's and set off a dance craze across America. Fusing Latin and Jazz rhythms....Johnson Captures the spirit and soul of "Bird" with a lyrical story that captures the essence of his mentor the late "Eddie Jefferson". The story is about a beautiful young lady that you see on occasions hoping that you could meet. You finally get the courage to say something, but she gets away and you never see her again..
EXPLORE THE ART OF JAZZ VOCALESE - Singing and writing lyrics to improvised solo's (Charlie Parker, John Coltrane, Miles Davis, Dizzy Gilespie, James Moody, Hank Mobley, Barry Harris, Thelonious Monk, Sonny Rollins, Herbie Hancock, Jackie McLean, Dexter Gordon, David 'Fathead' Newman, etc) Bring the Art of Vocalese to your organization, institution, school, university, club, festival. It's fun, educational, intense and historical.
JAZZ VOCALESE WORKSHOP INSTRUCTIONS INCLUDES:
. History of Jazz Vocalese
. The Eddie Jefferson School of Bop
. The Art of Writing & Singing Good Lyrics
. Demonstration, Vocal Drills
. Importance of Diction, Rhythm, Presentation & Intonation
. Class Participation / Breakdown of Classic Solo's
. Class Reciting, Speaking, Singing & Writing original lyrics
. Repetition & Practice w/End of session performance
WORKSHOPS (SPECIAL GROUP RATES)
. 1 to 10 week programs or 1-5 day workshops
. Elementary / Jr., High / High Schools
. Colleges / Universities
. Master Classes / Seminars / Private Instructions / Artist in Residence
GVJ & Jazz Legend James Moody "Moody Mood For Love'
"A Night In Tunisia"
THE ONE AND ONLY GEORGE V JOHNSON JR
Throughout the 80's George was mentored and performed regularly with "James Moody & Lou Donaldson". Two of the greatest saxophonist in the history of Jazz. His close association with Moody led to dozens of 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 and much more...
WITH OVER 35 YEARS OF ON STAGE EXPERIENCE (SINGING AND ACTING)
THINKING IN JAZZ
Paul F. Berliner has written a monumental book in at least two senses: in its sheer length (more than 500 pages of text and 250 pages of musical examples) and in the thoroughness with which he addresses his topic. His primary concern is the learning process of the jazz musician. He notes that, "without the aid of formal educational institutions or instruction", many musicians amass a great deal of musical technical knowledge and develop exceptional. Describes how jazz musicians, both individually and collectively, learn to improvise. By chronologically leading musicians from their first encounters with jazz to the development of a unique improvisatory voice, Berliner documents the lifetime of preparation that lies behind a skilled improvisor's every note....(several passages by George V Johnson Jr)
www.secondfloormusic.com
Jazz Phrasing is a perfect workbook for all jazz vocalists. It covers: Specific Rhythm Phrasing – interpreting 8th notes, specific rhythm figures; The accompanying CD lets you: compare transcriptions to recorded examples, listen to vocal and instrumental examples, sing along with the rhythm section, create backgrounds and analyze arrangements. (includes lyrics by Geo V Johnson Jr)
ARNIE LAWRENCE, Musician & Educator, Co-Founder of the New School's Jazz Department in NYC. He also performed with Johnny Carson's "TONIGHT SHOW BAND" for 15 years. Lawrence relocated back to his homeland and was one of the most respected people in Israel. Simular to the New School, he started satilite jazz programs across the region. During a phone conversation he requested that George V Johnson Jr come to Israel, 5 months after 9/11. With the advice of drummer Max Roach, Johnson proceeded with the trip. While there they filmed the Documentary "SAVE THE CHILDREN". Touring Jerusalem, Teliviv, Haifa, Mt Olive & Mt. Meriom. Five nights during the week they performed at Arnie JazzNess Cafe. A club named after Arnie Lawrence owned and operated by the Palestinians. "ARNIE'S BAND OF ANGELS" consisted of Jews, Palestinian/Muslims and Americans.
For the past few years he has been introducing the jazz public to his Mobley lyrics with performances during the week long Hank Mobley Jazz Festival 2003 at Jazz Standard NYC, produced by Grammy Award winning arranger and trumpeter Don Sickler. Each evening he performed his lyrics for the first time with likes of
FRANK WESS (Don Sickler, Frank Wess, GVJ @ The JAZZ STANDARD in NYC)
Don Braden, Eric Alexander, Seamus Blake, Don Sickler, Ronnie Mathews, John Hicks & Victor Lewis. The concert was attended by none other than Rudy Van Gelder who recorded Hank Mobley at his famous Van Gelder studio and hadn't made a club appearance since the mid 60s when John Coltrane appeared at the Village Vanguard. Quite a complement!
In preparation of a new and long awaited CD, Johnson has since then taken the Music Hank Mobley on the road touring and fine tuning his lyrics live on stage at Hartford Ct., Bushnell Park Monday Night 2004 Jazz Series & Live Radio Broadcast, 1st Annual Trenton Jazz Summit 2004, produced by himself, New Mexico, Philadelphia, Washington DC at Twins Lounge and most recently the John Birks Gillespie Auditorium in Bahai Center for Jazz in NYC. A well deserve presentation of one of the world’s greatest composers and saxophonist.
Hank Mobley recorded many of his classic compositions on the Blue Note label featuring some of the greatest names in jazz. Mobley composed over 100 songs that are becoming jazz classics and every musicians dream. Johnson’s soulful style and earthly lyrics to this great composers work establishes new dimensions in Jazz Vocalese. The voice accented with skillful musicians magically connects with the Mobley Spirit. Just imagine! Swinging, stories that take you on a musical voyage. Everyone should experience this. See what the buzz is all about. Join in the fun and bring the music of Hank Mobley to your city today. It’s Jazzically wonderful.
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.
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
While hanging out with the late Great LEON THOMAS at the Village Vanguard he introduced George to PHAROAH SANDERS. Thomas informed him of his connection with the Late EDDIE JEFFERSON. Pharoah asked him to sit in. It was there he sang for the first time in public JOHN COLTRANE's classic "MOMENTS NOTICE" from the Blue Note Recording "BLUE TRANE". The audience was estatic and Johnson was give a standing ovation requesting that he do more. Johnson says he'd been practicing the lyrics for 6 years prior and hoping that someday he would be able to record and at a "Moments Notice" his dream came true through Pharoah Sanders, one of his idols for many years. The Creator has a MASTER PLAN.
After his breath taking performance at the Vanguard, Johnson says he left the club in a hurry without saying a word, because he was overcomed with joy and tears began flowing. Five days later he received a call from Pharoah Sanders who somehow managed to get his telephone number. During the conversation he asked if he would like to hang out with him he following weekend in NYC. When he got to the address it was Power Station Studio. He watched in awe as the group recorded several tracks. The musicians there were people he had only heard on record and had no idea what was going to happen next.
After about 2 hrs he was approached by Pharoah and asked if he would like to sing his lyrics to Moments Notice. Johnson was caught by complete surprise and in one take history was made. It was there that he made his debute recording with....
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 -
Moments Notice were my first set of lyrics in 1974. It took about 20 minutes. Since then I've written lyrics to hundreds of songs. I rehearsed them for 6 six years. The first time I sang them in public was with Pharoah Sanders in 1981 at the Village Vanguard in NYC. One week later they were recorded in only one take at Power Station studio. A Moments Notice!
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 -
GORGE V JOHNSON JR., whose marvelous lyrics and vocal work are truly auspicious! He sngs with James Moody on ocassion and is happily remindful of the insistent giftness of the late EDDIE JEFFERSON. Johnson's three standzars 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 should 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!
The recording featured also featured
STEVE TURRE (Rejoice)
DANNY MOORE (Rejoice)
George V Johnson Jr & The Late Great DR. ART DAVIS (Rejoice), who was considered by many as the "World's Greatest Bass Player". Recorded "A LOVE SUPREME" with John Coltrane.
In 2003 GVJ presented "THE ART OF JAZZ VOCALESE" Workshop at Art Davis' music class @ Orange, County College. Senior class theises Topix "MOMENTS NOTICE". www.artdavis.com
(December 5, 1934 - July 29, 2007) was a double-bassist, best known for his work with jazz musicians including Thelonious Monk, John Coltrane, Dizzy Gillespie, and Max Roach. Davis was born in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania where he began studying the piano at the age of 5, switched to tuba, and finally to bass while attending high school. He studied at Juilliard but graduated from Hunter College. Art Davis was a professor at Orange Coast College. Davis is also known for launching a legal case, which led to the current system of blind auditions for orchestras.
In 1961, Davis was named the second African-American member of the NBC Staff Orchestra--a first-call session player, he also appeared on records headlined by McCoy Tyner, Eric Dolphy, Roland Kirk, Elvin Jones and Freddie Hubbard, and in August 1962 even entered the studio with up-and-coming folksinger Bob Dylan. Other notable figures from popular music such as Judy Garland, Minne Pearl, Barbara Streisand, Hank Williams. Davis' career has also seen performances with major orchestras such as the National Symphony, NBC Symphony, New York Philharmonic, Los Angeles Philharmonic, Radio City Music Hall Symphony, Westchester Symphony, Orange County Symphony and others. He also worked regularly on the Merv Griffin, Jack Paar, and Johnny Carson shows (and others), as well as performing in the New York studios playing jingles, films, and freelancing with performers.
BILLY HIGINS (Rejoice) October 11, 1936–May 3, 2001 - Played mainly free jazz and hard bop. Higgins began his career playing rhythm-and-blues and rock-and-roll with such musicians as Amos Milburn and Bo Diddley in the Los Angeles area. He played on Ornette Coleman's first records, beginning in 1958. He then freelanced extensively with hard bop and other post-bop players, including Donald Byrd, Dexter Gordon, Joe Henderson, Milt Jackson, Jackie McLean, Pat Metheny, Hank Mobley, Thelonious Monk, Lee Morgan, David Murray, Art Pepper, Sonny Rollins, Mal Waldron, and Cedar Walton. He played on over 700 recordings, including recordings of rock and funk.
In the 1980s he opened a cultural centre, World Stage, in Los Angeles to encourage and promote younger jazz musicians. It provides workshops in performance and writing, as well as concerts and recordings.
This was George V Johnson's only recording during a 20 year span. For 10 years he performed with some of the greatest names in jazz. During that time James Moody featured him at the top clubs and festivals on the scene. Fans in New York City were in awe because Moody was taking care of business and unselfishly featuring his close and dear friend EDDIE JEFFERSON'S protege' George V Johnson Jr. They made regular apperances at the Village Vanguard, Sweet Basils, Seventh Ave South, South Seaport Jazz Festival, Carnegie Hall Kool Jazz Festival, 92nd Street Y, the Grand Re-opening of the famous Apollo Theatre, Television and National Public Radio broadcast.
Just Imagine.....at almost any time you could hear a trumpet coming from the kitchen of Sweet Basil or down the stairs of the Village Vanguard and there was
DIZZY GILLESPIE
WOODY SHAW
SONNY FORTUNE or even
Bill Cosby coming to the stage to do a comedy routine. On one occasion James Moody shouted out "Did you hear that Miles Davis Walked off the Stage" and George answered back "SO WHAT". Moody kicked of a tempo faster than a speeding bullet and the group started playing SO WHAT! The was smokin.
Harold Mabern was working the keys, Todd Coolman was thumpin on the bass and Eddie Gladden was swinging his butt off. Johnson says, as finished singing Miles' solo and he went into the bathroom. On his way he noticed
BIG GEORGE COLEMAN standing in the Vanguard kitchen and as Johnson walked into the bathroom there was
MILES DAVIS and
PHILLY JOE JONES standing at the urinal taking care of business. After seeing them he nervously entered the stall opposite both and over heard Miles saying to Philly in his rough voice, "Hey man this Cat is singing my Shit! Dam...who this Mother....? Philly answered back that's George V Johnson, Eddie Jefferson's protege' and he can sing his ass off. He knew Johnson from meeting him in Philadelphia while performing with Jefferson during the 70's on a few occasions. As Johnson went back to the stage to finish sing he song, he saw Miles standing at the phone booth against the wall giving him a thumbs up. This was the only time he came in contact with Miles Davis.
GEORGE V JOHNSON JR performs "SO WHAT" with Bassist Extraodinare "Dr. Larry Ridley" & Jazz Legacy Ensemble.
There was no doubt he was the hippest vocalist on the scene at that time. Singing original lyrics to Charlie Parkers, My Little Suede Shoes, Confirmation, and also performing songs he learned as a child listening to his mentor Eddie Jefferson like Gillespies, A Night In Tunisia, Coleman Hawkin's classic "BODY & SOUL", Miles Davis "SO WHAT", Now’s the Time, Lester Leaps, Moody’s Mood for Love and more.
Johnson says the performances were historic and the notariety was overwhelming, but taking care of his family (3 sons) was not an option so he left the James Moody band after 10 historic years and disappeared for awhile working as a conductor on the railroad for 15 years. He continued to work on his craft, writing lyrics, plays and taking acting parts in community theatre when time presented. Twenty years later in 2000 he comes out with a self produce CD “Next In Line”. The opening cut features a 16 second sound bite of his mentor Eddie Jefferson the Founding Father of Jazz Vocalese uttering those exact words. One of my students George V Johnson Jr from Washington DC, He’s Next In Line! Next In Line! Sending a wake up call throughout the industry, that Johnson was the real deal.
George V Johnson Jr. is back on scene staking his claim and hasn’t lost a beat. From the first note that comes from his mouth the adrenaline flows through your body and you stop and think, wow! What a breath of fresh air! Where have you been? We’re glad you’re back!
Hello George, Thanks so much for the Add–and your friendship. We enjoyed your music very much. Thanks for sharing it with all of us. It's a pleasure having you among our friends! We've added two blogs about Umano, plus four more new compositions, making ten on our page. We hope you and your friends visit us and enjoy our music, too. We wake up every morning and play the music of the new MySpace friends who have arrived at our site during the night. It occurred to us that these friends (you are among them) are almost universally positive, whether they be novices or legends, and without regard to their station in life or the country they occupy. Although it's not an original thought, it also occurred to us that we couldn’t hold a verbal conversation with most of these friends, but we have bridged that gap by expressing our art honestly with each other. We all have been filling the world with our music and art, in the hope that our messages of love and human understanding will have an impact on the world at large. What a gift and what an opportunity we have received from this technology! ♫♫♫ Thom & Lorry Gambino ♫♫♫ New York, New York
Hi George V Johnson Jr, the Red Roses and Petrol music soundtrack is available now! The 30-track CD contains new music from Susanna Hoffs (Bangels), the Elders, Joe Puerta (Ambrosia), the Rainmakers, and a cool Irish soundtrack composed by Seth Podowitz. CHECK IT OUT ON ITUNES NOW! Also, check out our friend Red Hot Chili Pepper Chad Smith's new band, Chad Smith's Bombastic Meatbats and their iTunes Top 10 Funk/Jazz debut release, "Meet the Meatbats"! http://www.myspace.com/bombasticmeatbats
I just want to keep you posted on what's going on this way.
The Soul of a Man Anthology is the winner of the 2009 Best Short Stories/Anthology from the African American Literary Awards Show. Read an excerpt of my contribution, "Like Father, Like Son", at http://joeyisinit.com/excerpt.html.
If you know anybody in the Raleigh, NC, let them know that I'm doing a book signing/book discussion at the Southeast Regional Library in Garner, NC, (908 7th St) on Thursday, October 22nd at 6:30pm.
My lastest entry on http://joeypinkney.com is "5 Minutes, 5 Questions With... Jean Holloway, author of Black Jack". Leave a comment on my website, I would like to know what you think.
Here is the link: http://tiny.cc/jeanholloway
Don't be a stranger. Let me know what's going on in your neck of the woods.
I'm proud to give you "Heavy In The Beats Vol. 1 - A Different Drum", the first installment in my FREE mixtape series dedicated to drums and percussion. "Volume 1" focuses on the avant garde side of the instrument, and features pieces from Billy Martin (of Medeski Martin & Wood), myself, and others!
(you have to copy and paste the link on myspace for some reason) www.megaupload.com/?d=AGH33YP5
Online Now!
