1. JJ Johnson
Zach Houser

2. Early life Studied piano from the age of 9
Began playing trombone at the age of 14
Started playing in a big band at the age of 18
Tried imitating the style of the tenor saxophone in the big band setting.
Played in Count Basie’s big band from

3. The bebop era
While the trombone was popular for big band and pre bebop music
The fast tempo of the music made it difficult for the typically less accurate trombone to keep up with valved instruments like trumpets or saxophones.
JJ drops out of Basie’s big band in 1946
Performed with Charlie Parker and bud Powell

4. Playing with Kai
In the early 50’s JJ begins playing with Kai Winding, they together press a dozen albums in their time together until the 60’s . They played together in octets, quintets, and regular jazz combos

5. Discography
JJ Johnson released 42 records where he is credited as a front man
He recorded 12 records with Kai Wending
JJ also worked with Dizzy Gillespie, Horace Silver, Charlie Parker, Ella Fitzgerald, and Miles David

6. Later Years Johnson Performing.
JJ begins working on his own solo projects by the 60’s.
He at the prodding of Quincy Jones, started composing for film and television
JJ Returned to touring by the late 70’s and early 80’s
Johnson died of prostate cancer in 2004.

7. Sources http://www.trombone-usa.com/johnson.htm