Jazz Guitar Society of Spokane

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Past Artists- Henry Johnson ( April, 2009)

What our members had to say !

"I had a private lesson. We began working on his bebop scale that he uses to connect other solo ideas. His way of explaining concepts is great.  He makes it easy to understand and to visualize which, in turn, makes it easy to play right away.  We drilled a little bit, playing the scale pattern in short forms and long forms connecting them in 1/2 steps, whole steps and minor thirds.  I totally dug it (with both shovels!!). Then I asked him about chord melodies and how to liven them up.  He kept his responses simple, such as- starting out rubato (no set tempo) and using more space.  Just that alone changes the mood of it and inspired me to think of new ideas (flourishing lines in between or chord subs).  I came out of my lesson feeling like a better player; excited to get home so I could try out these new ideas that were coming to mind immediately!"
 

Henry Johnson Clinic

 

April, 2009

Clinic: “Pentatonic and Bebop Patterns”
 

The Chicago-born guitarist began playing at age twelve. While spending some formative time in Memphis, he started playing gospel music at age thirteen. By age fourteen, Johnson was playing in R&B groups. Although Johnson's parents brought him up hearing the music of Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Joe Williams, and other artists of that era, it was not until 1967 that Johnson was formally introduced to jazz by hearing guitarist Wes Montgomery. In 1969, Johnson and his family then moved back to Chicago where he developed a reputation on the south side as a good local jazz guitarist. In 1976, he went on the road with jazz organist Jack McDuff and was called to work with vocalist, Donny Hathaway in 1977.

In 1979, Johnson began playing with jazz pianist, Ramsey Lewis. And in 1985, jazz legend, Joe Williams added Johnson to his regular group. Johnson's musical roots run deep into gospel, blues, and jazz. His strongest and earliest influences were Kenny Burrell, George Benson, and most significantly, Wes Montgomery. While influenced by these great guitarists, Johnson also cites the music of Herbie Hancock, Oscar Peterson, Freddie Hubbard, Miles Davis, big bands, and jazz orchestras as integral forces which shaped his sound and style.


 
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