David Earle Johnson

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David Earle Johnson was a percussionist, a composer and a music producer.

1 Career
2 Discography
3 Discography for other artists' albums
4 Personal life
5 External links

[edit] Career

Genres Jazz
Styles Crossover Jazz, Jazz-Funk
Instruments Voice, Conga, Drums and Percussion.

Percussionist David Earle Johnson performed on albums by a number of jazz artists in the '70s before releasing a few of his own albums in the late '70s and early '80s. He appeared on numerous albums: Billy Cobham's Total Eclipse and Clive Steves' Voyage to Uranus (1974); Jan Hammer's First Seven Days (1975); Lenny White's Big City and Miroslav Vitous' Majesty Music (1977); Jaroslav Jakubovic's Checkin' In, Mark Moogy Klingman's Moogy II, the Players Association's Born to Dance, and Josh White Jr.'s self-titled album (1978); and others. Johnson's solo debut came in 1978 with Time Is Free, recorded for Vanguard. His relationship with that label proved short-lived, however, and he began recording albums for other labels in subsequent years before his recording career simmered out in the early '80s following his 1983 album, The Midweek Blues. ~ (written by Jason Birchmeier)

David Earle Johnson was most noted for his spot as percussionist and co writer with the Jan Hammer Group in the late 70's. As a studio musician, he played on countless tracks by such artists as Billy Cobham, Miroslav Vituos, Michael Brecker and many others during the Jazz/Fusion era. David Earle Johnson also released six albums as a solo artist between 1976 and 1992. His music was a blend of all that he experienced in his life. He injected his music with substance, intelligence, taste and humor. Jan Hammer produced and performed on most of these releases along with John Abercrombie, Jeremy Steig, Col.Bruce Hampton, Alan Sloan, Dan Wall, Ben "Pops" Thornton, Billy McPherson and Gary Campbell. David was also against the use of "sampled sounds" as his old pal Jan Hammer used samples of David's rare Nigerian Log Drums on the Miami Vice soundtrack without David's permission. This resulted in a law suit which David ultimately lost. (a tribute from www.jpskid.com)

David Earle Johnson died from cancer in 1998

[edit] Discography

1978 - "Time Is Free"
1980 - "Hip Address"
1981 - "Skin Deep - Yeah !"
1983- "Midweek Blues"
19?? - "Route Two"
1993 - "White Latening"

[edit] Discography for other artists' albums

Aurora Aurora (2000) Producer
Bob Belden Ensemble Straight to My Heart: The Music of (1989) Percussion, Conga
Blast Blast (1980) Percussion, Vocals
Billy Cobham Total Eclipse (1974) Conga
Billy Cobham Rudiments: The Billy Cobham... (2001) Conga
Jan Hammer Early Years (1974) Percussion, Conga
Jan Hammer First Seven Days (1975) Percussion, Conga
Col. Bruce Hampton & The... Outside Looking Out (1980) Percussion
Jaroslav Jakubovic Checkin' In (1978) Percussion
Klemperer/Reiner Gerald McBoing Boing & Others (1990) Percussion
Mark Moogy Klingman Moogy II (1978) Conga
Taj Mahal Like Never Before (1991) Percussion, Go Go Bell
Oregon Friends (1977) Conga, Timbales
Oregon Essential (1987) Conga
Oregon Vanguard Sessions: Best of the... (2000) Conga, Timbales
The Players Association Born to Dance (1978) Percussion, Conga, Timbales
Players Association Players Association/Turn the Music (1998) Percussion, Conga
Sea Level Best of Sea Level (1977) Percussion, Conga
Sea Level Long Walk on a Short Pier (1979) Percussion, Conga
Clive Stevens Voyage to Uranus (1974) Percussion, Conga, Timbales
Swamp Dogg Swamp Dogg (Rat On) (1971) Engineer
Swamp Dogg Cuffed, Collared and Tagged (1972) Engineer
Swamp Dogg Have You Heard This Story? (1974) Whistle (Human)
George Tandy Urban Jazz (1992) Drums, Drums
Nestor Torres Morning Ride (1989) Synthesizer, Percussion, Drums, Sound Effects, Timbales, Producer
Miroslav Vitous Majesty Music (1977) Percussion, Conga
Josh White, Jr. Josh White Jr. (1978) Percussion
Lenny White Big City (1977) Conga
John Williams Empire Strikes Back [Original... (1980) Percussion
Betty Wright Passion & Compassion (1990) Cymbals, Drums
Various Artists Cool Fever: From Disco Jazz to... (1997) Percussion, Conga, Timbales
Various Artists Vanguard Collector's Edition (1997) Percussion, Conga, Timbales
Various Artists World of Drums And Percussion, Vol... (2000) Performer
Jan Hammer Early Years
Jan Hammer Oh Yeah?
Various Artists World of Drums And Percussion, Vol. 2