Alphonso Johnson
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Alphonso Johnson (born 1951 in Philadelphia, PA) is a jazz musician renowned for being one of the best electric bass players of the early 70's.
Contents |
[edit] History
Alphonso originally started off as a horn player, but he would eventually switch to the bass in his late teens. Beginning his career in the early Seventies, Alphonso was amongst the few electric bassists of his time that showed innovation and fluidity on the electric bass. He sessioned with a few Jazz musicians before landing the Weather Report job taking over for co-founding member Miroslav Vitous.
Alphonso's silky, but authoritative bass lines had placed him in a class with fellow peers Stanley Clarke and Steve Swallow as one of the best up and coming bassists of the early 70's.
Beginning with Weather Report's Mysterious Traveller songs like "Cucumber Slumber" and "Scarlet Woman" just hinted the brilliance of what he could do. Alphonso would appear on two more albums for Weather Report before he would leave the band to work with drumming virtuoso Billy Cobham.
Alphonso also happens to be one of the first musicians to introduce the Chapman Stick to the music public.
[edit] Recommendation
His knowledge of the Chapman Stick nearly landed him a lucrative job with Genesis as the replacement for Steve Hackett who had quit Genesis in 1977. Alphonso being more of a bassist than a guitarist, had recommended his friend ex-Sweetbottom guitarist and fellow sessions musician Daryl Stuermer, who would go on to remain a member of the Genesis's touring band for the rest of their existence.
[edit] Family
He also has two sons named Myles and Malcolm Johnson, who are following within their father's footsteps as musicians.
[edit] External links
 |
This article about a bassist is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
