Joseph Johnson Jr.

About me:

Joseph E. Johnson Jr.{Jammin Joe} Born in Akron Ohio, but raised in Southern California (Compton, Watts, and San Bernardino), Jammin Joe’s first instruments were the Trumpet and the Trombone. He eventually settled on the Saxaphone because it allowed him more freedom of expression. The foundation of his musical training and development was rooted in his parents garage in San Bernardino, Ca where he, along with his brother Steve (Sousaphone) spent countless hours and days with there father Joe Sr. experimenting with endless chord harmonies. Needless to say, the experimentation helped develop Jammin Joe into one of the most skilled improvisers you’ll find anywhere. Although his style of play is uniquely his own.....for those of you who want comparisons JamminJoe has been compared to accomplished saxophonist such as: Grover Washington Jr., Gerald Albright, King Curtis, Stanley Turrentine, Boots Randolph, Kenny G., and Lester “Prez” Young, the latter of which Jammin Joe played the saxophone part in a play about Billie Holliday. Jammin Joe was exposed to Blues, Jazz, Funk, and R&B: by the combined influences of his first cousin Clifford Moon, and his mother Carolyn Campbell-Johnson who threw away several jazz records by legendary artist like—Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, Duke Ellington, Art Tatum, Oscar Peterson, Sarah Vaughn, Joe Williams, and Richard “Grooves” Holmes just to name a few. Jammin Joe quickly retrieved these records from the trash and absorbed all that he could. Later he would practice his scales to classical recordings to further develop his smooth style. During the early 80’s while a student at Oregon State Univ JamminJoe was denied membership in the OSU Jazz band because as the then band director said to him "your mind is made up about how you want to play", subsequintley Jammin Joe would join his first band, A "punk rock" influenced ska reggae band called the Crazy 8’s that was looking for a black saxophonist to complete there "two tone" line-up. He found an investor in his NBA All-Star brother Steve Johnson, and a world class producer in Marlon Mclain of "Pleasure" fame. He then directed them to record there first album, (LAW AND ORDER) which included his two songs "Jump Rock" and "I'm Ok Your'e Ok" the band went on to become the most popular band in the Pacific Northweat and national college radio. They frequently out charted A-list acts such as Prince and Michael Jackson on college radio. In 1985 Jammin Joe eventually garnered the band national exposure when he managed to get them on the nationally syndicated TV show “Star Search”(The one comedian "Sinbad" was on).The Crazy 8's were the first band to renegotiate a "Star Search contract thanks to JamminJoe and the legal muscle and expertise of attorney JR Barnes. During this same period the Crazy 8's popularity continued to explode on the national scene with articles in TV guide (FEB 23- March1, 1985), Billboard and Rolling Stone magazine, the latter of which described the Crazy 8's as a band to watch in the "future". Jammin Joe has had the pleasure to share the stage with numerous national and international Stars,including but not limited to: Art Blakeley, Kenny Loggins, The Clash, Toots and the Maytals, Pleasure, The Neville Bros., Eddies Harris, Kenny G., John Lee Hooker, The English Beat, Bernard Purdy, Curtis Salgado, Leroy Vinegar, Burning Spear, Romeo Void, Mel Brown, Joe Pass. After the Crazy 8's wiped off the popular music radar map due to the total exclusion of the African American music community listners, continuing itellectual property rights issues, and the sudden explosion of a new musical sound called "Grunge" led by Kirk Cobain leader of the band called "Nirvana". JamminJoe was fired and hired moments after being fired from a band in a N.E. Portland nightclub that did not want to share the ("kibbles and bits" aka money) JamminJoe went on to form his own all original music Smooth Jazzy R&B band called "Moments Notice" along with Mark "Sparky" Hardy,no matter who is in the line-up each member is required to have convincing improvisational skills in order to play original smooth jazzy R&B, and to play at a "Moments Notice". The band went on to record one CD that was never released, I will include those tracks on this site and at www.myspace.com/saxyamijoe. Make no mistake Jammin Joe is highly skilled in playing blues, rock and roll, gospel, reggae, and classic jazz. In order to learn to play all the various styles of music, JamminJoe joined and performed with many Portland bands "Rubberneck, Michael Harrison and Inner Balance the Usual Suspects, Joe "BEAN" Keller and the Ilusion Show Band, P,I,M,P with the legendary bassist JR, Ed "Portland Eddie Jones", Craig Mathers, Kirk Green, Bill Hagen, Vitamix, St Marks, just to name a few. even though in the beggining he had know idea how to play or perform in those varied settings and was was cussed out, kicked out, the mic turned downed, other musicians blocking his access to the microphone during jam sessions, drinks thrown at him, and blackballed he continued to pursue excellence in executinon of a full toned effortless smooth jazzy sylyle on thesaxophone.I guess you can say like alot of you, he went through alot of trials by fire, only to come out playing pure USDA "Original Soul, Funk and Jazz" in a highly skilled and trained manner. Present day "Moments Notice" features Keith Lampkins ( Composer, guitar, and keyboards), and Jammin Joe ( Alto, and Tenor saxophones), and various special guest. The band "Moments Notice" is currently located in Las Vegas,NV they primarily perform at private events in Las Vegas From casinos to, pool parties and art galleries. They have always enjoyed playing at a variety of events large and small. Jamminjoe is presently in pre-production in Las Vegas to record his solo CD and he is putting together a one man show to showcase his own innovative style. Make no mistake the sound will be unique, fresh, and musically groundbreaking! The future is exciting, so calm down!God willing,wait,see,and hear. jamminjoe_us@yahoo.com freewebs.com/joejohnsonjr www.myspace.com/saxyamijoe