Note from Jon Hammond: I filmed Dick Johnson accepting Artie Shaw's NEA Jazz Masters Award (handed to him by David Baker) some years ago. Artie personally chose Dick to lead his band, Dick Johnson was one of the greatest musicians of all times in his own right. I had the honor and pleasure of playing together with him on several occasions myself on Lou Colombo's Band at the Wychmere Harbor Club in Cape Cod - he was just totally unbelievable, a force of Nature is the only way to describe his masterful playing - RIP Dick Johnson, sincerely, Jon Hammond - organist from Local 802 Musicians Union -- The late great Clarinetist / Saxophonist long-time Band Leader for Artie Shaw Band Dick Johnson accepting the NEA Jazz Master Award on behalf of Artie - film forthcoming of event folks, RIP Dick Johnson - Jon Hammond
*excerpt from Condolence (Guestbook): "Jon to Johnson Family: Sending my deepest condolences on the passing of Dick, I had the great pleasure and honor of playing with Dick & Lou Colombo at the Wychmere Harbor Club in Harwichport MA 1978-'80 (Hammond organ) with Jack Pena & Frank Shea. I last spoke with Dick in 2005 at the IAJE when he accepted the NEA Jazz Master Award for Artie posthumously from David Baker, I filmed it for my cable TV Show. So very sorry for your loss, Dick was one of the greatest musicians I ever played with and a really great guy! Sincerely, Jon Hammond *Member AFM Local 802"
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dick_Johnson_(clarinetist)
Dick Johnson (December 1, 1925 – January 10, 2010[1]) was an American big band clarinetist, best known for his work with the Artie Shaw Band.[1] From 1983 until his death he was the leader of the Artie Shaw Orchestra.
Born Richard Brown Johnson in Brockton, Massachusetts, he also played the alto saxophone and flute. Johnson worked with Frank Sinatra, the Swing Shift Orchestra, Dizzy Gillespie and Tony Bennett.[1]
Johnson died in Boston, Massachusetts after a short illness, aged 84.
1956: Music for Swinging Moderns (EmArcy Records)
1957: Most Likely (Riverside Records) with Dave McKenna, Wilbur Ware, Philly Joe Jones [3]
1957: At Newport (Verve) with Eddie Costa
1979: Dick Johnson Plays Alto Sax & Flute & Soprano Sax & Clarinet (Concord Records) with Dave McKenna, Bob Maize, Jake Hanna
1980: Spider's Blues (Concord) with Dave McKenna
1981: Swing Shift (Concord)
2004: Artie's Choice! And the Naturals
2006: Star Dust & Beyond: A Tribute to Artie Shaw
http://jazztimes.com/…/25619-jazz-clarinetist-dick-johnson-…
Jazz Clarinetist Dick Johnson Dies at 84
Boston-based player fronted Artie Shaw band for over 20 years
By Lee Mergner
Dick Johnson, perhaps best known for his long stint as frontman for the Artie Shaw Orchestra, died in the Boston area on Sunday, January 10. Johnson died at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston after a brief illness, according to the Conley Funeral Home. He was 84 years old.
Johnson was born December 1, 1925 and grew up in the Brockton, Mass area as part of a musical family. He got his professional start as a musician during a stint with the U.S. Navy in 1944-1946. Johnson served with the navy band on the USS Pasadena during WWII. He often credited his stint in the Navy for kicking off his career in jazz.
After the war, Johnson toured with the big bands of Charlie Spivak and Buddy Morrow. Eventually, after several years on the road, he settled in his hometown of Brockton, Mass. It was there in Brockton where he and close friend, Lou Colombo formed a jazz sextet. The group lasted 10 years, but the friendship and musical kinship lasted for the rest of his life. In addition, Johnson formed his septet—Swing Shift—which was a staple on the Boston music scene for many years. Like Herb Pomeroy, Johnson managed a double career as a perfomer and an educator, teaching jazz at nearby Berklee, where he mentored many younger jazz musicians.
According to the notes on Johnson’s album Artie’s Choice, in 1980, Artie Shaw sent a message to Dick Johnson's manager, and said: "You wanted to hear what I think of Dick Johnson's clarinet playing. Okay. At this time, he's the best I've ever heard. Bar nobody. And you can quote me on that, anywhere, anytime!"
Shortly thereafter in 1983 he joined the Artie Shaw Orchestra as its frontman, with Shaw himself retired at least as a clarinetist. Shaw continued to appear with the group and let Johnson act as his surrogate for the next 20 years. Idiosyncratic until the end, Shaw permitted few recordings by the group, but Johnson’s reputation as a clarinetist grew from its live performances. The group disbanded in 2006 a few years shortly after Shaw’s death.
Over the years Johnson performed with Dave McKenna, Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett and Buddy Rich. He recorded as a both a leader and a sideman on the Mercury, Emarcy, Riverside, and Concord Jazz labels.
