Eddie Johnson - RIP

[Chuck Nessa]

He's a Hawkins/Young man and a fine gentleman. In some ways he was the last of his breed. Looking through my files I find 3 letters from Stanley Dance - one of them complaining about the "modernism" of the rhythm section, though he was positive about Eddie.

[jazztrain]

Chuck:

Glad that you'll be reissuing the session, especially with the bonus track. Interestingly, he used the same rhythm section on his session for Delmark roughly 17.5 years later. Do you know if was a working group?

[Chuck Nessa]

The group I used had been assembled to accompany Joe Williams (a high school friend of Eddie's) for appearances at Rick's Cafe in Chicago. Eddie wanted to use the same band for the date and I agreed.

This group later worked a regular gig at a club called "Alexander's" and played there for a while. I think that gig was still going on when he made the Delmark date. Eddie was comfortable with these guys.

edit for typo.

Edited April 21, 2010 by Chuck Nessa

[Dan Gould]

Like Brad I didn't know this musician at all but after doing a little investigating on AMG I knew he'd be right up my alley and I will definitely get this from Chuck when its available.

[Chuck Nessa]

Those interested in Eddie should check out this date with Jodie Christian, Sonny Cohn and Norris Turney.

When Eddie came off the road in the late '40s he made a few sessions for Chess and got a job with the City of Chicago. This gave him security for his wife and son. He eventually advanced to being in charge of the city's early computer system as "chief system engineer". By 1980 both his wife and only child had died. He took "early retirement" from the city and jumped back in the music scene. This is when I met him. Within a year we were in the studio making a record. He was one of the really good guys.

[Free For All]

Those interested in Eddie should check out this date with Jodie Christian, Sonny Cohn and Norris Turney.

When Eddie came off the road in the late '40s he made a few sessions for Chess and got a job with the City of Chicago. This gave him security for his wife and son. He eventually advanced to being in charge of the city's early computer system as "chief system engineer". By 1980 both his wife and only child had died. He took "early retirement" from the city and jumped back in the music scene. This is when I met him. Within a year we were in the studio making a record. He was one of the really good guys.

I did some arrangements for Jodie for that record! I remember doing Lester Left Town and a couple others.

[The Magnificent Goldberg]

Late as usual, but I'm very sorry to hear this.

But glad Chuck's thinking of reissuing his LP.

And glad to see some other stuff to buy. (Well...)

MG

[Dan Gould]

On 4/21/2010 at 9:39 PM, Chuck Nessa said:

Those interested in Eddie should check out this date with Jodie Christian, Sonny Cohn and Norris Turney.

 

When Eddie came off the road in the late '40s he made a few sessions for Chess and got a job with the City of Chicago. This gave him security for his wife and son. He eventually advanced to being in charge of the city's early computer system as "chief system engineer". By 1980 both his wife and only child had died. He took "early retirement" from the city and jumped back in the music scene. This is when I met him. Within a year we were in the studio making a record. He was one of the really good guys.

I was recently thinking about the Nessa Eddie Johnson recording and came to wonder about other recordings after he went back into the music scene .... I guess I slept on this one and his Delmark leader date because I didn't hear him until Chuck reissued the Indian Summer CD.  Both of the Delmark CDs are terrific and I think I atoned for my slowness by snagging this one. Lejeune is a younger boogie woogie type pianist and he and Eddie are a terrific pair. Anyone who sees this should snag it.

 

 

[mikeweil]

On 21.4.2010 at 3:39 AM, Chuck Nessa said:

Those interested in Eddie should check out this date with Jodie Christian, Sonny Cohn and Norris Turney.

Since I always liked Jodie Christian's playing and the horns seem to be first rate, I ordered a copy. Thanks for posting the recommendation.

[king ubu]

Missed that thread when Johnson died ... had no clue who he was until buying Chuck's reissue of the very fine "Indian Summer".

Just put in an order for both Delmarks, thanks everyone  

[Dan Gould]

Don't ya love when you stumble upon something that seems impossibly obscure then snag it within minutes of finding out about it?

I don't even recall why but this morning I was scrolling thru an Eddie Johnson discography and came to this:

Jazz Chicago Style

Brad Goode (tp except -3); Paul McKee (tb except -3); Frank Tiberi (ss -2; cl except -2 and -3); Eddie Johnson (ts except -3); John Young (p innards -3; p); Eddie DeHaas (b); Joel Spencer (d); Duane Themm (vib -1); Nancy Riley (voc); Everett Green (voc).

Chicago, 1992

	Dippermouth Blues*		Ameritech CD
	Singin' the Blues*		Ameritech CD
	Struttin' with Some Barbecue*		Ameritech CD
	Do Nothing till You Hear from Me		Ameritech CD
	Lover Man* [NR voc]		Ameritech CD
	Seven Come Eleven* -1		Ameritech CD
	Everyday I Have the Blues* [EG voc]		Ameritech CD
	In and Out -3		Ameritech CD
	All of Me -2 [NR voc]		Ameritech CD
	Nature Boy		Ameritech CD
	Red Top		Ameritech CD
	Freedom Jazz Dance		Ameritech CD

 

This historical overview of Chicago jazz was made specially for Ameritech (a large regional telecommunications company, one of the "Baby Bells," with headquarters in Chicago) in 1992.

A few minutes later and I am paying less than $5 with free shipping. Thank you Ameritech for putting out a CD featuring Eddie Johnson (not to mention our own Paul McKee, John Young, Brad Goode).