Woodrow Wilson "Buddy" Johnson (January 10, 1915 – February 9, 1977) was an influential American jump blues pianist and bandleader, renowned for his contributions to the transition from big band music to Rhythm & Blues. Born in Darlington, South Carolina, Johnson began taking piano lessons as a child and maintained a lifelong passion for classical music. After graduating from Mayo High School in 1933, he moved to New York City, where he worked with various bands and toured Europe with the Cotton Club Revue in the late 1930s.

In 1939, Johnson formed the Buddy Johnson Orchestra, signing a long-term deal with Decca Records. His orchestra, which grew to include 17 musicians, became a staple at New York's Savoy Ballroom, earning him the title "King of the Savoy." Johnson's music, described as "New York Blues" and "Jump Blues," produced several R&B hits in the 1940s, including "Let's Beat Out Some Love," "Baby Don't You Cry," "When My Man Comes Home," and "They All Say I'm the Biggest Fool." His sister, Ella Johnson, often performed as the lead vocalist for his compositions, including the song "Since I Fell for You," which became a jazz standard.

In 1946, Johnson composed a Blues Concerto, which he performed at Carnegie Hall in 1948. Despite the decline in popularity as musical tastes shifted towards rock, Johnson continued recording with labels like Mercury and Roulette into the early 1960s. He passed away in New York City in 1977 at the age of 62 from a brain tumor and sickle cell anemia. In recognition of his impact on music, Johnson was inducted into the South Carolina Music Hall of Fame in 2001.