"JJ Johnson’s grooves are
impeccable, laid down just so."
.
- Name: J. J. Johnson
- Birthday: 6th February, Germany (grew
up in San
Antonio & Louisiana, USA)
- Instrument: Drums/ Percussion;
Vocals
- Other Instruments: Piano
- Musical Influences: Duke
Ellington, John
Coltrane, Neil
Young, but JJ really has a wide range of influences also
including, Jimi
Hendrix, Joni
Mitchell, Nick
Drake. Drumming influences include: Elvin
Jones (John Coltrane), Roy
Haynes, Jon Bonham (Led
Zeppelin)
- Favourite
artist: D'Angelo.
- JJ 'S Story: He has played with dozens of well
known artists. Check out JJ's Allmusic
page
- Hobbies: Reading (among
other things)
- Interesting fact: JJ's
dad was in the army.
- JJ's Story: Often referred to as
"Austin's most Notorious drummer, JJ is Highly respected
and sought-after after. He has played
with far too many artists to list. When JJ was a child his
dad gave him a toy drum, but JJ had a yearning to be a guitarist.
Drumming was his calling though, and when he was in high school he began playing in the school band and
various garage bands. When JJ was 16 he was the
San Antonia, and studying theory and piano at the San Antonio
College. In the early 90's, JJ branched out to playing the Austin
area,
before relocating there in 1994. He has been part of many very cool
line ups, including his own band The J. J. Johnson Trio, Hot Buttered
Rhythm (in conjunction with Brannen Temple). He has played with the
likes of the Sexton Brother's (Charlie & Will).
- What's JJ been up to?
(as of september
2001)
- In September 2001, JJ toured with
Doyle Bramhall, whom I don't
really like to promote, 'cause he went and stole him from us. Oh
well, life goes on. I'm giving you this like, because JJ's new
image is just too cute to resist!!
- In June 2000, JJ was in New Zealand working on Neil Finn's latest album (due Jan
2001)There are some cool photographs of JJ in the studio (about 5
or 6 shots) Click here for a few of them.
Neil has a cool site, so visit the rest of the NilFun
website for some
other stuff on Crowded House & Split Enz.
- Recorded on Ian
Moore's gorgeous album "And All The
Colors"
(which I have a page dedicated to).
- Cool JJ Links:
.
Watch
JJ play live with Ian
Moore
In Dallas and
at SXSW
2000. Cool footage of JJ in both concerts. If you do a search on Ian Moore,
you will find other live performances with JJ performing (also see Ian's column on my Links
page)
JJ has also played on....
Ian Moore's latest album And All
the
Colors
Blu's albums, and occasionally
plays in his live band.
To keep the cash flowing, JJ freelances with
dozens of other bands in and out of Austin, including: Amy
Atchley & Laurie
Markvart (with St. & Glenn.). JJ also frequently teams up with Ephraim
Owens on the Jazz circuit.
Other albums J.J. plays on:
.
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