Ginger Johnson

about

Born Folorunso Johnson in Lagos, Nigeria, Ginger got his nickname because the hot sun turned his hair red and brought out his freckles. Possibly there is some Celtic blood in him, but he only admits to African and Brazilian heritage. Leaving home during World War II, Ginger became a sailor and his roaming took him to most jazz clubs of note in the world. Finally he came to England, and during the 1950's played with such names as Paul Adam, Harry Parry and Edmundo Ros. Forming his own Afro-Cuban band was the next step , and so the African Messengers were born. " All the music that we do is based firmly on African traditions," Ginger says. "So is rhythm and blues - but we try to get nearer the source, right down to the grass roots of the jungle - the sun, the heat, the insects, the abundance of life. And we overlay the whole with jazz - saxophone, guitar, brass, flute, and sometimes piano - because jazz is also derived from the old sources of Africa." Part of the compulsive beat is supplied by the 'talking drum' once used in the famous 'bush telegraph' system. The equivalent of the bass in Ginger's band - although he also uses an electric bass guitar - is the 'bush piano' a box-like instrument of wood fitted with thin metal tongues, which when flicked with the thumb, vibrate and give off thrumming bass notes. But Ginger's favourite instruments are his elephants feet. The elephant was killed by hunters in South Africa more than 100 years ago. The feet were hollowed out and cover

top songs

albums

London Is the Place for Me 6: Mento, Calypso, Jazz and Highlife from Young Black London

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Various Ouelele

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African Party

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Ouelele

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Ouelele - Another Collection of Modern Afro Rhythms

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London Is the Place for Me 6

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7'

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London is the Place For Me Vol. 6: Mento, Calypso, Jazz and Highlife from Young Black London

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London Is the Place for Me 6: Mento, Calypso, Jazz & Highlife from Young Black London

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African Serenades Vol 13 - Afro FUnk Express

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Live recording

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London Is The Place For Me 6 (Mento, Calypso, Jazz & Highlife From Young Black London)

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