James P. Johnson, often heralded as "The Father of Stride Piano," was a pivotal figure in the evolution of American jazz piano. Born on February 1, 1894, in New Jersey, Johnson grew up in a world where ragtime was the prevalent form of popular music. He quickly outpaced his formal training with his prodigious talent and began to forge a style that would come to define the stride piano technique—a style characterized by a rhythmic left-hand accompaniment supporting increasingly complex right-hand melodies and harmonies.

Johnson's career flourished in the 1920s and 1930s, a period known as the Harlem Renaissance, when African American culture was receiving newfound recognition. He wrote many songs that have since become jazz standards, including "The Charleston," which essentially became the soundtrack for the Roaring Twenties, and "Carolina Shout," which was often used as an audition piece by other stride pianists, marking their passage into the professional ranks. Besides being a virtuoso pianist, Johnson composed scores for Broadway and penned classical works, displaying his versatility and broadening the scope of African American music in classical realms. His influence extended to countless musicians, including Duke Ellington, Fats Waller, and Count Basie. Though Johnson's fame waned with the decline of stride's popularity, his contributions to jazz and American music remain unquestionable. His works continued to be celebrated and rediscovered well after his passing on November 17, 1955, as evident in posthumous releases and tributes to his genius, including the significant collections "The Original James P. Johnson: 1942-1945, Piano Solos" and "Victory Stride: The Symphonic Music of James P. Johnson."

Genres

Dixieland

Harlem Renaissance

Ragtime

Stride

Swing

Tin Pan Alley

Vintage Jazz

Related Artists

Duke Ellington

Art Tatum

Fats Waller

Count Basie

Jelly Roll Morton

Willie "The Lion" Smith

Ray Charles

Nat King Cole

Earl Hines

Jerry Lee Lewis

Thelonious Monk

Mary Lou Williams

Latest Release

World Broadcast Recordings 1944

James P. Johnson

Album - 23 Tracks - Released March 25, 2024