J. C. Johnson, born Jay Cee Johnson on September 14, 1896, in Chicago, Illinois, was an American pianist and songwriter renowned for his collaborations with Fats Waller and Bessie Smith. He moved to New York City in the early 1920s, where he began his career as a session pianist with singer Ethel Waters. Johnson's first recorded song as a writer, "You Can't Do What My Last Man Did," was sung by Waters in 1923. He soon expanded into songwriting, working with lyricists like Henry Creamer and Andy Razaf.

Johnson's collaboration with Fats Waller began around 1928, contributing lyrics to Waller's music, with their first song together being "I'm Goin' Huntin," recorded by Louis Armstrong. He also reportedly used the pseudonym Harry Burke for the song "Me and My Gin," recorded by Bessie Smith in 1928. Throughout the 1920s and 1930s, Johnson's songs were recorded by numerous artists, including Ella Fitzgerald, Connie Boswell, and Mamie Smith. He also led his own band, J.C. Johnson and his Five Hot Sparks.

In 1930, Johnson wrote the Broadway musical "Change Your Luck," although it was not successful. However, he found success writing songs for Bessie Smith, such as "Black Mountain Blues" and "Empty Bed Blues," and for Fats Waller, including "The Joint Is Jumpin'." During World War II, Johnson volunteered as an ambulance driver for the U.S. Army and co-wrote "Yankee Doodle Tan" with Andy Razaf.

J. C. Johnson passed away on February 27, 1981, in New York City at the age of 84, leaving behind a legacy of influential music and collaborations.