US American trumpet player. Served during WW II and started his career after his discharge. Known for his high-note work, he played with Jimmy Tyler at Wally’s Paradise in Boston in the late 1940s. From 1950 on and off trhough 1953 with Sabby Lewis, then with Herb Pomeroy. 1959 and early 1960 with Quincy Jones, he rejoined Herb Pomeroy in mid-1960. In February 1961, he replaced Joe Newman in the Count Basie Orchestra, staying for 8 months. In the 1960s, Johnson freelanced in various Boston-based groups with other former Pomeroy bandmates. In 1968, he was hired as an instructor at Berklee and was finally able to quit his day job as a hospital attendant. Barely 50 years old, he died from cancer.
b.: Oct. 2, 1923 in Boston, MA
d.: Oct. 7, 1973 in Boston, MA