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GEORGE'S BLOG http://blog.myspace.com/georgevjohnsonjr TWINS JAZZ "MARATHON FUNDRAISER A SUCCESS" PLEASE SUPPORT AND ATTEND:
While I tell the Story about James Moody... I first met James Moody at a tribute to the late Eddie Jefferson at Carnegie Hall, NYC back in 1979. A few months early Eddie was tragically killed while leaving "Baker's Keyboard Lounge" in Detroit, Michigan. The tribute was organized by Jon Hendricks, featuring the Manhattan Transfer's, Dizzy Gillespie, James Moody, Richie Cole, Hendricks, Hendricks & Hendricks featuring a new singer on the scene...Bobby McFerrin. Also on the bill was a comedian named "The Professor". The concert actually featured the Manhattan Transfer. They had a released a new LP featuring a R&B hit once sang by the Contours "Talking about the Boy's from NYC". I had just moved to NYC a few months earlier from Washington DC. I packed my bags, hit the city and put my belongings in the lockers at Penn Station. Fifty cent a day back then. With no place to stay I road the "A" Train each night after club hopping, sleeping with one eye open for about 1 month. I wouldn't advise anyone to do that today, but Duke Ellington says it best. Take the A Train. I was a very adventurous 29 year old with lots of heart then. The first night in NYC, I went to the Tin Palace to hear George Coleman, Harold Mabern, Jamil Nasser and Philly Joe Jones. It was a great first night. Very exciting! George Coleman and Harold Mabern saw me walk in the club and invited me to the stage. We had a ball.
I had met Harold Mabern while he was playing with Eddie Jefferson.
George and I met one night in DC after he played a gig he dropped by to hang
out with John Malachi at the Pigfoot. A night club owned and operated
by guitarist Bill Harris.
Jon Hendricks was the coordinator and I wanted him to hear it since it
was a tribute to Eddie Jefferson. Eddie was my mentor, we were very
close. Probably closer than anyone appearing except for James
Moody. Because of my father and his record collection, I had
been fluently singing his songs since I was about 9 years old. I
figured, I'd let Jon hear it and perhaps he may have had some ideas, like
surprising the audience and playing it over the loud speaker as he
suggested. I called my mom collect that day very excited and explained
the situation. She was very happy and asked what I needed because I
told her about my situation. This was Carnegie Hall ! She sent
$100.00 via Western Union and said don't tell you daddy. I couldn't
let him know because I left DC, gave up my job working as a bus driver for
Metro bus, my house and everything to moved to the city. To top it off I was
sleeping on the subway trains. That's a entirely different experience.
Everyone thought I was crazy, but I had to come to the New York City. |
Story about James Moody continued from Col. 1 In the audience was each of the entertainers I mentioned early. I sat there, listened to the first few tunes and to my surprise James Moody spoke about Eddie Jefferson and called me to the stage to sing a few numbers. He called me Eddie's protégé. You couldn't imagine what it felt like. Chills were going through my body and my adrenaline was flowing. This was James Moody, one my childhood idols calling me to the stage. I couldn't believe it and had no idea he was going to do this. In the band was Harold Mabern, Rufus Reid and Eddie Gladden. They also played with Moody at the Tribute as well and I had met them on occassions while following E.J. those previous years. This was special and I had to do my best. Moody asked me what did I want to sing. I knew my keys and we kicked off "I Got Rhythm" in 5 flats and the rest is history. Next we did "A Night In Tunisia", Now's The Time and Dizzy joined in as well. I had my cassette recorder that night as well...smile! Everyone at the club was in awe. It was probably the happiest and greatest day in my life. Like when Eddie Jefferson surprised me and called me to the stage for the first time that night in Philly. He said this is one of my students from Washington DC...George V Johnson Jr...he's "NEXT IN LINE" Next In Line! I can still hear the hand claps and see the smiles on everyone's face. It's now the title of my first CD "Next In Line" with that 16 second sound bite of Eddie Jefferson as the first cut. Moody and I just smiled at each other the entire evening. On my way out Moody grabbed me by the arm again and put a $100.00 bill in my hands. That night I stayed at a hotel...smile. I never went back to the streets. My first night with James Moody led to about 7 straight years of performing with my childhood idol.
Moody put me in many, many great situations. He even brought me
back to Carnegie Hall, Town Hall and many other places across the USA.
It was like going to a University with a private teacher each day. I
was married in 1982. I have three sons and each time my wife went into
labor I was singing with James Moody and had to rush down highway 95 to
Trenton N.J. to be by her side. Even now when I go to see him he
sometimes surprises me to the stage.
* * * * * Born in Washington DC, George V Johnson Jr. mentored for 15 years under John Malachi, pianist for Sarah Vaughn, Billy Eckstine, Al Hibler, Carmen McRae, Billy Holiday, Pearl Bailey, Etta Jones, etc. Background includes 8-year stint with James Moody 1980-88. Considered by many as Heir Apparent to Eddie Jefferson, Innovator and Creator of Jazz Vocalese. Also performed with Lou Donaldson, Harold Mabern, John Hicks, Kirt Lightsey, Larry Ridley and the Jazz Legacy Ensemble and many more. First recording with PHAROAH SANDERS on the 1980 release "REJOICE", was featured vocalist on John Coltrane's classic "Moments Notice" original lyrics. Reissued on CD Evidence Music. The CD includes an all-star cast of musicians including, John Hicks, Dr. Art Davis, Billy Higgins, Bobby Hutcherson, Elvin Jones, etc. Listen to Sound BITES below.
Read about George's trip to Jerusalem LISTEN TO NEXT IN LINE featuring original lyrics to
A Live NPR Broadcast, Coast to Coast @ 1991
Detroit Montreux Jazz Festival w/ ROY BROOKS and The Artistic Truth,
"Tribute to Miles Davis"
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