Carlos Johnson (blues musician)

Carlos Johnson

Carlos Johnson (2008)
Background information
Born January 17, 1953
Chicago, Illinois, United States[1]
Genres Blues
Occupation(s) Guitarist, singer
Instruments Guitar, vocals
Years active 1970s – present
Labels Blues Special, Mr. Kelly's, P-Vine
Associated acts Billy Branch
Valerie Wellington

Carlos Johnson (born January 17, 1953, Chicago, Illinois) is an American blues guitarist and singer. He is left-handed, but plays a right-handed instrument upside-down like players such as Otis Rush and Albert King. Johnson is known for his aggressive playing which has attracted audiences in Chicago blue scene since the 1970s. He has played on recordings of notable musicians including Billy Branch & The Sons of Blues and Son Seals.[2]

Biography

In 1989, he made is first tour to Japan with Valerie Wellington, and caught attention of the Japanese blues fans. He revisited the country in 2004 as a supporting guitarist for Otis Rush who became unable to play the guitar due to the stroke he suffered earlier that year.[3] These concerts helped him build a fan base in Japan.

Though he has been active since the 1970s, he had to wait until 2000 to release an album under his own name. That year saw the release of his debut CD My Name Is Carlos Johnson recorded in Buenos Aires, Argentina from local Blues Special label.[1] He was featured on Billy Branch 's CD Billy Branch & The Sons of Blues featuring Carlos Johnson released in 2002. Johnson also made an album as a duo with Branch titled Don't Mess with the Bluesmen in 2004. Another CD In and Out from Mr. Kelly's Records followed the same year. In 2007, he released a live album Live At B.L.U.E.S. on Halsted recorded in Chicago.[4]

He toured Japan as a solo artist in 2007[2] and 2009.[5]

Discography

Filmography

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Liner notes to My Name Is Carlos Johnson by Adrian Flores (In Spanish and English)
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Japan Times: LISTENING POST - LIVE - Carlos Johnson By MICHAEL PRONKO
  3. ↑ CARLOS JOHNSON on Blues Interactions website (in Japanese only)
  4. ↑ Carlos Johnson on Myspace
  5. ↑ カルロス・ジョンスン、来日！京都・名古屋・東京・札幌公演決定！on Blues Interactions website (in Japanese only)

External links