Biography Osie Johnson
James "Osie" Johnson (January 11, 1923, in Washington, D.C. – February 10, 1966 in New York City) was a jazz drummer, arranger and singer.
He first worked with Sabby Lewis and then, after service in the United States Navy freelanced for a time in Chicago. From 1951 to 1953 he worked in Earl Hines's band.
He can be heard on albums by Paul Gonsalves, Zoot Sims, and Mose Allison. He recorded an album as a singer, "A Bit of the Blues," and had arranged at a "hit" for singer Dinah Washington. His final recordings as a singer were on a J. J. Johnson album, now compiled as a collection called Goodies.
Discography:
As leader
1955: Johnson's Whacks
1955: Osie's Oasis with Henry Coker, Charlie Fowlkes, Milt Hinton, Bill Hughes, Thad Jones, Dick Katz, Wendell Marshall, Frank Wess, Ernie Wilkins
1955: Swingin' Sounds
1957: The Happy Jazz of Osie Johnson
As sideman
With Kenny Burrell
Bluesin' Around (Columbia, 1961 [1983])
With Art Farmer
Last Night When We Were Young (ABC-Paramount, 1957)
With Curtis Fuller
Cabin in the Sky (Impulse!, 1962)
With Bennie Green
Bennie Green Blows His Horn (Prestige, 1955)
With Lionel Hampton
You Better Know It!!! (Impulse!, 1965)
With Johnny Hartman
The Voice That Is! (Impulse!, 1964)
With Langston Hughes
Weary Blues (MGM, 1958)
With J. J. Johnson
Goodies (RCA, 1965)
With Mundell Lowe
Porgy & Bess (RCA Camden, 1958)
With Junior Mance
The Soul of Hollywood (Jazzland, 1962)
With Phineas Newborn, Jr.
Phineas Newborn Plays Jamaica (September 7, 8 & 9, 1957) (RCA Victor LPM 1589)
With Oscar Pettiford
Another One, 1955
With Shirley Scott
Great Scott!! (Impulse!, 1964)
With Zoot Sims
Zoot! (Riverside, 1956)
With Sonny Stitt
Broadway Soul (Colpix, 1965)
With Billy Taylor
Kwamina (Mercury, 1961)
With Ben Webster
See You at the Fair (Impulse!, 1964)
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