LaMont Johnson

LaMont Johnson (October 1, 1941 – October 21, 1999) was an American jazz pianist who played in the hard bop and post-bop genres.<ref name="allmusic_overview" /> He recorded extensively with Jackie McLean during the 1960s as well as with Ornette Coleman, Kenny Burrell, Bud Shank, Paul Beaver, and Bernie Krause, among others.<ref name="allmusic_credits" />

Biography

James LaMont Johnson was born in New York City, New York.<ref name="allmusic_overview" /><ref name="autman1999" /> During his childhood he took dancing, singing, and mime lessons, and appeared on the Star Time Kids television program at age 7.<ref name="autman1999" /> He later served in the United States Air Force in Germany, after which he attended Manhattan College and Syracuse University.<ref name="autman1999" />

Johnson began his recording career in 1962.<ref name="autman1999" /> In New York City, he worked with tubist Howard Johnson and trumpeter Woody Shaw as the bebop period came to an end.<ref name="autman1999" /> Throughout the 1960s, he recorded with artists such as Jackie McLean, Ornette Coleman, and George Benson.<ref name="autman1999" /> Later in the same decade, Johnson began composing music for films and advertisements.<ref name="autman1999" />

Johnson lived and worked in San Diego, California, where he established the record label MasterScores Records.<ref name="autman1999" /> Johnson worked in the film industry during the 1970s as a distributor and producer.<ref name="autman1999" /> He produced the 1973 martial arts film Thunderfist.<ref name="autman1999" /><ref name="imdb" /> Johnson was a major shareholder in the film distributors Artisan Releasing and Twin World Films, and formed another distributorship, Elmark General Film.<ref name="autman1999" />

In his later years, Johnson lived in Austin, Texas, where he continued to perform at venues such as Top of the Marc, and released I'll Be Home for Kwanzaa on the Bagel Label.<ref name="autman1999" /><ref name="auschron" /> During this time, he appeared on Jackie's Blues Bag by the Hip Bop Essence All Stars, a group that also included Branford Marsalis, Javon Jackson, and Vincent Herring.<ref name="autman1999" /> He also worked with Black Entertainment Television.<ref name="autman1999" /> Between 1991 and 1997, he was involved with more than 30 jazz festivals, as either a performer or producer.<ref name="autman1999" />

On October 21, 1999, Johnson died of heart failure in Austin, Texas, where he lived with his wife, Jayne Taylor Johnson.<ref name="autman1999" /> Johnson had two daughters, Astrid and Kyleigh, and two sons, Neil and Rand.<ref name="autman1999" /> At the time of his death, Johnson had indicated his plans to return to San Diego.<ref name="autman1999" />

Discography

As leader

• 1972: Sun, Moon and Stars (Mainstream Records)
• 1976: Nine: A Mystical Musical Allegory (Orchard)
• 1979: Aces (Orchard)
• 1987: New York Exile (Orchard)
• 1991: Burned by the Passion (MasterScores)
• 1997: Jackie's Blues Bag (Hip Bop Essence)
• 1998: 242 E 3rd (Orchard)
• 2000: Collaboration (with Kenny Burrell)

As sideman

with Jackie McLean

• New and Old Gospel (Blue Note, 1967)
• 'Bout Soul (Blue Note, 1967)
• Demon's Dance (Blue Note, 1967)
• Hipnosis (Blue Note, 1978)

with Hank Mobley

• Reach Out! (Blue Note, 1968)

External links

• LaMont Johnson collection, Institute of Jazz Studies, Rutgers University