James Price Johnson
James Price Johnson, born on February 1, 1894, in New Brunswick, New Jersey, was a pivotal American composer and pianist who played a crucial role in the evolution of ragtime into jazz. Known as a founder of the stride piano idiom, Johnson's work significantly influenced the transition from ragtime to jazz, impacting future jazz legends such as Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Art Tatum, Thelonious Monk, and his student, Fats Waller.
Growing up in a musically rich environment, Johnson was exposed to a variety of musical styles, which shaped his early musical tastes. He began his career in his late teens, performing in saloons and dance halls in Manhattan's West Side, where he became renowned for his ability to improvise and embellish popular songs, including the blues. His career spanned from 1912 to 1955, during which he composed many hit songs, most notably "The Charleston," which became an unofficial anthem of the Roaring Twenties.
Johnson's contributions extended beyond jazz; he composed classical works such as "Yamecraw" (1928) and "Harlem Symphony" (1932), and collaborated with Langston Hughes on the one-act opera "De Organizer" around 1940. Despite their significance, these works were seldom performed during his lifetime. His stride piano technique, characterized by two-beat left-hand rhythms and varied right-hand melodies, was exemplified in pieces like "Carolina Shout" and "Snowy Morning Blues."
James P. Johnson passed away on November 17, 1955, in New York City, leaving behind a legacy as a transformative figure in American music, though his contributions have often been overlooked, earning him the moniker "The Invisible Pianist."
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