J.C. Johnson

[mjzee]

J.C. Johnson was an African-American songwriter whose music was an integral part of the Harlem Renaissance. But although many of his songs are now standards of jazz and blues ("Dusky Stevedore" is one of the few numbers recorded by both Louis Armstrong and Bix Beiderbecke), the man himself is barely known.

On one hand, his name was too similar to that of his illustrious colleague, the stride piano pioneer James P. Johnson (no relation). But on the other, J.C. Johnson (1896-1981) tended to let himself be overshadowed by such larger-than-life contemporaries as Fats Waller, Ethel Waters and Bessie Smith, all of whom were his collaborators. This week starting Monday, a new show built around Johnson's songs, Trav'lin'," promises to be a highlight of the ongoing New York Musical Theater Festival, which continues through Oct. 17.

More here:

WSJ

[AllenLowe]

great story and a worthy subject.

[papsrus]

Yes, nice article. Thanks for linking it.