Pete Johnson

about

There is more than one artist called Pete Johnson. (1) Peter (Pete) Johnson (March 25, 1904 - March 23, 1967) was an American jazz and especially boogie-woogie pianist. Pete Johnson was born in Kansas City, Missouri. He died in Meyer Hospital, Buffalo, NY. He began his musical career in 1922 as a drummer in Kansas City, Missouri. From 1926 to 1938 he worked as a pianist, often accompanying Big Joe Turner. In 1938 he and Turner appeared in the From Spirituals to Swing concert at Carnegie Hall. This concert started a boogie-woogie craze, and Turner and two other performers at the concert, Meade Lux Lewis and Albert Ammons, worked together afterwards at Café Society for a long time; they also toured and recorded together. The song, "Roll 'Em, Pete", featuring Turner on vocals and Johnson on piano, was one of the first rock and roll records. Another self-referential title was their "Johnson and Turner Blues". In 1949, he also wrote and recorded "Rocket 88 Boogie", a two-sided instrumental not to be confused with the Ike Turner 1951 hit "Rocket 88". In the late '40s, Johnson recorded an early concept album Pete's House Warmin' , in which he starts out playing alone, supposedly in new empty house, and is joined there by J. C. Higgenbotham, J.C. Heard, and other Kansas City players. Each has a solo single backed by Pete and then the whole group plays a jam session together. On this album Johnson shows his considerable command of stride piano and his ability to work with a group

top songs

albums

King Of The Boogie Woogie

Pete's Lonesome Blues

Complete Jazz Series 1944 - 1946

Complete Jazz Series 1938 - 1939

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Radio Broadcasts, Film Soundtracks, Alternate Takes: 1939-1947

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The History Of Rhythm & Blues 1925-1942

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Pete Johnson 1938-1939

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Genius of Boogie Woogie

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Piano Boogie Woogie Vol. 1

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Jazzin' The Blues - After Hours Swing Boogie And Jive

The St. Louis Parties

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Giants Of Boogie Woogie

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