I read in the New York Times online edition that there was a rent party for Mr. James P. Johnson at a small club in the West Village. This was to provide his grave with a headstone. I think this was a noble idea and I hope they have succeeded in raising enough money to get one. I first started listening to James P. in college and haven’t gotten sick of him yet. One of his best compostitions, in my opinion, is Sugar. A litghthearted tune that almost anyone can be fond of. If you have never heard of James P. Johnson please give him a listen. Here is a link to the article: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/06/arts/music/06rent.html?_r=1&ref=arts
And here is a picture of Mr. Johnson himself:
Tags: James P. Johnson, Jazz, Ragtime, Rent Party, Stride Piano, Swing
October 6, 2009 at 10:53 pm
James P. Johnson was an American Pianist with an extremely diverse musical background. His early influences came from ragtime, and the African American Baptist churches.(In the latter years of the 19th century one could still see the African ring shout dance being performed in such places.) His piano solos are likely to imitate a four or five piece band, using elements of counterpoint and complex rythmic syncopation to produce these effects. Take a listen to Snowy Morning Blues, (the version from the 1920s) by James. James P. was possibly one of the most innovative and talented virtuoso pianists in the blues/jazz/ragtime idiom of the last one hundred years.