Dink Johnson
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Dink Johnson (October 28, 1892 – November 29, 1954[1]) was a dixieland jazz pianist, clarinetist, and drummer.
Ollie "Dink" Johnson was born in Biloxi, Mississippi[1], younger brother of the bass player/bandleader Bill Johnson. He worked around Mississippi and New Orleans, Louisiana before moving to the western United States in the early 1910s. He played around Nevada and California, often with his brother Bill. Most prominently he played with the Original Creole Orchestra (mostly on drums).
He made his first recordings in 1922 on clarinet with Kid Ory's Band.
For many years he was based in Los Angeles, California where he led a band in the 1920s and later ran a bar.
He made more recordings in the 1940s and 1950s, mostly on piano, although also doing some one-man band recordings, playing all three of his instruments through over dubbing.
Johnson's piano style was influenced by Jelly Roll Morton (his brother-in-law); his clarinet playing by Larry Shields. Johnson also wrote tunes, including "The Krooked Blues" (recorded by King Oliver) and "So Different Blues".
Johnson died in Portland, Oregon.[1]
