Howard Lewis Johnson (August 7, 1941 – January 11, 2021) was an influential American jazz musician renowned for his mastery of the tuba and baritone saxophone, as well as his skills on the bass clarinet, trumpet, and other reed instruments. Born in Montgomery, Alabama, he was raised in Massillon, Ohio, from the age of two. A self-taught musician, Johnson began playing the baritone saxophone and tuba during his high school years. After graduating in 1958, he served in the U.S. Navy and later moved to Boston, where he lived with the family of drummer Tony Williams. His journey then took him to Chicago, where he met Eric Dolphy, before settling in New York City in 1963.

In the 1960s, Johnson collaborated with prominent artists such as Charles Mingus, Hank Crawford, Rahsaan Roland Kirk, Archie Shepp, and Hank Mobley. He began a long-standing association with Gil Evans in 1966 and arranged a horn section for Taj Mahal's 1971 live album, "The Real Thing." Johnson's work with The Band on their "Rock of Ages" live album and "The Last Waltz" further cemented his reputation.

During the 1970s, Johnson served as the live band conductor for the Saturday Night Live Band and led his all-tuba ensemble, Gravity, which became one of his most recognized projects. He recorded three albums for Verve Records in the 1990s, with the first, "Arrival," paying tribute to Pharoah Sanders. Johnson also performed at the Woodstock Jazz Festival in 1981 and appeared in the 1983 film "Eddie and the Cruisers," as well as in episodes of "Matlock" and "Hill Street Blues."

Johnson's contributions extended to performances with James Taylor on "Sesame Street" and collaborations with artists like Levon Helm and Jaco Pastorius. He passed away in New York City at the age of 79, leaving behind a legacy as a pioneering musician who expanded the role of the tuba in jazz.