HMR Project: History of Music & Modern Recording

The Boogie Woogie of Pete Johnson

Pete Johnson

Pete Johnson, a prominent boogie woogie pianist, was born on 25 March 1904 in Kansas City, Missouri. He began his professional career as a drummer in 1922, then switched to piano in 1926 to play in Big Joe Turner's band. He first recorded with Turner on 23 December of 1938 at the much celebrated 'From Spirituals to Swing' concert at Carnegie Hall: 'It's All Right Baby' and 'Low Down Dog'. Johnson had also performed in a boogie woogie piano trio at this event with Meade Lux Lewis and Albert Ammons, recording 'Cavalcade of Boogie' and 'Jumpin' Blues'. Lewis and Ammons had known one another since they were kids. The 'From Spirituals to Swing' concert was a major event produced by John Hammond. With numerous big names on the roster from Big Bill Broonzy and Sonny Terry to Benny Goodman and Count Basie, this concert traced musical style from old spirituals through blues to jazz, boogie woogie figuring large in that evolution. 'From Spirituals to Swing' returned to Carnegie Hall a second time on 24 December 1939 at which Johnson performed again. Indeed, his last-known recordings would be at the 30th anniversary of this program at Carnegie Hall once again in 1967. All be as may, the only 'From Spirituals to Swing' concert featuring Johnson at YouTube is from the third and last in 1967.

'Dying Mother Blues' Pete Johnson (piano) w Albert Ammons (vocal)

Recorded 24 Dec 1938 in NYC by Alan Lomax for the Library of Congress

See Jazz Piano JP5003 (Denmark) / Joker SM3105 (Italy)

Composition: Traditional

'Roll 'Em Pete' Pete Johnson (piano) w Big Joe Turner (vocal)

Recorded 30 Dec 1938 in NYC Matrix 23892-1 Vocalion 4607 / Columbia KC32708

Composition: Johnson

'Cherry Red' Pete Johnson (piano) and His Boogie Woogie Boys

Recorded 30 June 1939 in NYC Matrix 25023-1 Vocalion 4997 / Okeh 4997

Trumpet: Hot Lips Page Alto sax: Buster Smith

Guitar: Lawrence Lucie Bass: Abe Bolar

Drums: Eddie Dougherty Vocal: Big Joe Turner

Composition: Johnson / Turner

'Baby Look at You' Pete Johnson (piano) and His Boogie Woogie Boys

Recorded 30 June 1939 in NYC Matrix 25024-1 Vocalion 4997 / Okeh 4997

Trumpet: Hot Lips Page Alto sax: Buster Smith

Guitar: Lawrence Lucie Bass: Abe Bolar

Drums: Eddie Dougherty Vocal: Big Joe Turner

Composition: Johnson / Turner

'Blues On the Down Beat' Pete Johnson (piano)

Recorded 23 Aug 1940 in NYC Matrix 68004-A Brunswick 82617

Composition: Johnson

'Kaycee On My Mind' Pete Johnson (piano)

Recorded 23 Aug 1940 in NYC Matrix 68005-A Decca 3384

Issued on German Brunswick 82617 as 'K. C. On My Mind'

("Kaycee" probably refers to Kansas City)

Composition: Dave Dexter Jr. / Johnson

'Boogie Woogie Man' Pete Johnson (piano) duet w Albert Ammons (piano)

Recorded 7 May 1941 in NYC Matrix 063861-2 Victor 27505

Drums: Jimmy Hoskins

Composition: Johnson / Ammons

'Barrel House Boogie' Pete Johnson (piano) duet w Albert Ammons (piano)

Recorded 7 May 1941 in NYC Matrix 063863-1 Victor 27504

Drums: Jimmy Hoskins

Composition: Johnson / Ammons

'Cuttin' the Boogie' Pete Johnson (piano) duet w Albert Ammons (piano)

Recorded 7 May 1941 in NYC Matrix 63864-1 Victor 27504

Drums: Jimmy Hoskins

Composition: Johnson / Ammons

'Basement Boogie' Pete Johnson (piano)

Recorded 8 May 1941 in NYC Matrix 69157-A,B MCA 1333

Bass: All Hall Drums: A.G. Godley

Composition: Johnson

'Death Ray Boogie' Pete Johnson (piano)

Recorded 8 May 1941 in NYC Matrix 69158-A Decca 3830

Bass: All Hall Drums: A.G. Godley

Composition: Dave Dexter Jr. / Johnson

'Pine Creek Boogie' Pete Johnson (piano) duet w Albert Ammons (piano)

Recorded 15 Oct 1943 at Frenchy's in Milwaukee WI See Document DOCD-1003

Composition: Johnson / Ammons

Pete joined Ammons and Teddy Wilson in Hans Burger's 1944 film, 'Boogie Woogie Dream', featuring Lena Horne [IMDb].

'Boogie Woogie Dream' Pete Johnson (piano) Short film

Released 7 July 1944

Piano: Albert Ammons / Teddy Wilson Vocals; Lena Horne

'My New Gown' composed by Johnson

'Boogie Woogie Dream' composed by Johnson / Ammons

'Unlucky Woman' composed by Leonard and Carel Feather

IMDb Konrad Nowakowski Wikipedia

'Rebecca' Pete Johnson Trio w Big Joe Turner (vocal)

Recorded 30 Oct 1944 in Chicago Matrix 72525-A Decca 11001

Piano: Johnson Guitar: Ernest Ashley Bass: Dallas Bartley

Composition: Johnson / Turner

'Rocket Boogie 88' Part 1 Pete Johnson Sextet

Recorded c April 1949 in Los Angeles Matrix 4052 Down Beat / Swing-Time 169A

Alto sax: Jewell Grant Tenor sax: Maxwell Davis

Piano: Johnson Guitar: Herman Mitchell

Bass: Ralph "Chuck" Hamilton Drums: Jesse Sailes

Composition: Jack Lauderdale

'Rocket Boogie 88' Part 2 Pete Johnson Sextet

Recorded c April 1949 in Los Angeles Matrix 4053 Down Beat / Swing-Time 169A

Alto sax: Jewell Grant Tenor sax: Maxwell Davis

Piano: Johnson Guitar: Herman Mitchell

Bass: Ralph "Chuck" Hamilton Drums: Jesse Sailes

Composition: Jack Lauderdale

'Wrinkle Head Boogie' Pete Johnson Sextet

Recorded c April 1949 in Los Angeles Matrix 4054 Down Beat 175

Alto sax: Jewell Grant Tenor sax: Maxwell Davis

Piano: Johnson Guitar: Herman Mitchell

Bass: Ralph "Chuck" Hamilton Drums: Jesse Sailes

Composition: Johnson

Despite Johnson's pianism he found himself in Buffalo, New York, in 1950 where he held day jobs washing vehicles for a few years. Sporadic recordings in the early fifties included some private solos in 1954 in St. Louis before contributing to Jimmy Rushing's album, 'Listen to the Blues', in 1955. Come Turner's 'The Boss of the Blues Sings Kansas City Jazz' in 1956. In 1958 Johnson and Turner toured Europe with Norman Granz' Jazz at the Philharmonic, then appeared at the Newport Jazz Festival. But then Johnson began to fall ill of a heart condition combined with diabetes, leading to strokes and paralysis of his hands. That in combination with failing eyesight made Johnson's career too difficult to pursue. He gave his last performance in January 1967 at Carnegie Hall, that the 30th anniversary presentation of 'From Spirituals to Swing'. Johnson died later that year on March 23 in Buffalo.