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Howard Johnson | |
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Background information | |
Birth name | Howard Lewis Johnson |
Born | Montgomery, Alabama, U.S. | August 7, 1941
Died | January 11, 2021 New York City, U.S. | (aged 79)
Genres | Jazz |
Occupation | Musician |
Instrument(s) | tuba, baritone saxophone |
Howard Lewis Johnson (August 7, 1941 – January 11, 2021) was an American jazz musician, known mainly for his work on tuba and baritone saxophone, although he also played the bass clarinet, trumpet, and other reed instruments.[1][2] He is known to have expanded the tuba’s known capacities in jazz.[3]
Johnson was known for his extensive work as a sideman, notably with George Gruntz, Hank Crawford, and Gil Evans. As a leader, he fronted the tuba ensemble Gravity and released three albums during the 1990s for Verve Records; the first Arrival, was a tribute to Pharoah Sanders.