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{{Short description|American jazz bassist}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2020}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2020}}
{{Infobox musical artist
{{Infobox musical artist
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* [[Weather Report]]
* [[Weather Report]]
* [[Bobby and the Midnites]]
* [[Bobby and the Midnites]]
* [[Jazz Is Dead]]
* [[Jazz Is Dead (band)|Jazz Is Dead]]
*[[Steve Kimock Band]]
*[[Steve Kimock Band]]
* [[Santana (band)|Santana]]}}
* [[Santana (band)|Santana]]}}
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Born in [[Philadelphia]], [[Pennsylvania]], United States,<ref name="LarkinGE"/> Johnson started off as an [[upright bass]] player, but switched to the [[bass guitar|electric bass]] in his late teens.<ref name="LarkinGE"/> Beginning his career in the early 1970s, Johnson showed innovation and fluidity on the electric bass. He sessioned with a few jazz musicians before landing a job with [[Weather Report]],<ref name="am">{{cite web|title =Alphonso Johnson: Biography |first=Scott|last=Yanow |publisher=Allmusic| url ={{AllMusic|class=artist|id=alphonso-johnson-p90895|pure_url=yes}} |access-date =15 July 2011}}</ref> taking over for co-founding member [[Miroslav Vitous]]. Johnson debuted with [[Weather Report]] on the album ''[[Mysterious Traveller]]''. He appeared on two more Weather Report albums: ''[[Tale Spinnin']]'' (1975) and ''[[Black Market (Weather Report album)|Black Market]]'' (1976) before he left the band to work with [[drummer]] [[Billy Cobham]].<ref name="am"/> During 1976-77 he recorded three solo albums as a [[band leader]], for the [[Epic Records|Epic]] label, in a fusion-funk vein.
Born in [[Philadelphia]], [[Pennsylvania]], United States,<ref name="LarkinGE"/> Johnson started off as an [[upright bass]] player, but switched to the [[bass guitar|electric bass]] in his late teens.<ref name="LarkinGE"/> Beginning his career in the early 1970s, Johnson showed innovation and fluidity on the electric bass. He sessioned with a few jazz musicians before landing a job with [[Weather Report]],<ref name="am">{{cite web|title =Alphonso Johnson: Biography |first=Scott|last=Yanow |publisher=Allmusic| url ={{AllMusic|class=artist|id=alphonso-johnson-p90895|pure_url=yes}} |access-date =15 July 2011}}</ref> taking over for co-founding member [[Miroslav Vitous]]. Johnson debuted with [[Weather Report]] on the album ''[[Mysterious Traveller]]''. He appeared on two more Weather Report albums: ''[[Tale Spinnin']]'' (1975) and ''[[Black Market (Weather Report album)|Black Market]]'' (1976) before he left the band to work with [[drummer]] [[Billy Cobham]].<ref name="am"/> During 1976-77 he recorded three solo albums as a [[band leader]], for the [[Epic Records|Epic]] label, in a fusion-funk vein.


Johnson was one of the first musicians to introduce the [[Chapman Stick]] to the public. In 1977, his knowledge of the instrument offered him a rehearsal with [[Genesis (band)|Genesis]], who were looking for a replacement for guitarist [[Steve Hackett]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://forbassplayersonly.com/Interviews/Alphonso-Johnson.html|title=forbassplayersonly.com: Alphonso Johnson|access-date=1 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140502001637/http://forbassplayersonly.com/Interviews/Alphonso-Johnson.html|archive-date=2 May 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> Being more of a bassist than a guitarist, Johnson instead recommended his friend ex-Sweetbottom guitarist and fellow session musician [[Daryl Stuermer]], who would go on to remain a member of Genesis's touring band until the 2007 reunion tour.
Johnson was one of the first musicians to introduce the [[Chapman Stick]] to the public. In 1977, his knowledge of the instrument offered him a rehearsal with [[Genesis (band)|Genesis]], who were looking for a replacement for guitarist [[Steve Hackett]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://forbassplayersonly.com/Interviews/Alphonso-Johnson.html|title=forbassplayersonly.com: Alphonso Johnson|access-date=1 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140502001637/http://forbassplayersonly.com/Interviews/Alphonso-Johnson.html|archive-date=2 May 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> Being more of a bassist than a guitarist, Johnson instead recommended his friend ex-Sweetbottom guitarist and fellow session musician [[Daryl Stuermer]], who would go on to remain a member of Genesis's touring band until the band's [[The Last Domino? Tour|final concert in 2022]].


Johnson was one of two bass players on [[Phil Collins]]'s first solo album, [[Face Value (album)|''Face Value'']], in 1981.
Johnson was one of two bass players on [[Phil Collins]]'s first solo album, [[Face Value (album)|''Face Value'']], in 1981.


In early 1982, Johnson joined [[Grateful Dead]] member [[Bob Weir]]'s side project [[Bobby and the Midnites]]. He would reunite with Weir in 2000, playing bass in place of [[Phil Lesh]] on tour with [[The Other Ones]]. He has also performed fusion versions of Grateful Dead songs alongside Billy Cobham in the band [[Jazz Is Dead]].
In early 1982, Johnson joined [[Grateful Dead]] member [[Bob Weir]]'s side project [[Bobby and the Midnites]]. He would reunite with Weir in 2000, playing bass in place of [[Phil Lesh]] on tour with [[The Other Ones]]. He has also performed fusion versions of Grateful Dead songs alongside Billy Cobham in the band [[Jazz Is Dead (band)|Jazz Is Dead]].


In 1996, Johnson played bass on tracks "Dance on a Volcano" and "Fountain of Salmacis" on [[Steve Hackett]]'s ''[[Genesis Revisited]]'' album.
In 1996, Johnson played bass on tracks "[[Dance on a Volcano]]" and "[[The Fountain Of Salmacis|Fountain of Salmacis]]" on Steve Hackett's ''[[Genesis Revisited]]'' album.


Later in 1996, Johnson toured Europe and Japan with composer and saxophonist [[Wayne Shorter]], pianist [[Jim Beard|James Beard]], drummer Rodney Holmes, and guitarist [[David Gilmore]].
Later in 1996, Johnson toured Europe and Japan with composer and saxophonist [[Wayne Shorter]], pianist [[Jim Beard|James Beard]], drummer Rodney Holmes, and guitarist [[David Gilmore]].

In 2014, he earned the Bachelor of Arts in Music Education degree from the [[Department of Music at California State University, Northridge]]. As an undergraduate student, Johnson performed as a member of the CSUN Wind Ensemble.


He has an extensive experience as a bass teacher and has conducted bass seminars and clinics in Germany,<ref name="Warwick">{{cite news|author =Wetzel, Michael|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ln9H3y71L8 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/2ln9H3y71L8| archive-date=2021-12-12 |url-status=live|title=Video: German Warwick Bass Guitars|newspaper=[[Deutsche Welle|Deutsche Welle TV]]|date=11 September 2013|access-date=8 August 2014}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|author =Herrera, Jonathan|title=Warwick Bass Camp 2013: The Best of the Bass|url=http://www.premierguitar.com/articles/19723-warwick-bass-camp-2013-the-best-of-the-bass|access-date=23 February 2015|newspaper=[[Premier Guitar]]|date=30 September 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|author1=Pilger, Georg |author2=Schmitz, Ralf |url=http://www.jazzrocktv.de/jazzrocktv-75-warwick-bass-camp-2013/|title=Video: Warwick Bass Camp 2013|newspaper=JazzrockTV|date=5 January 2014|access-date=30 January 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://basscamp.gitarrebass.de/dozenten/Alphonso-Johnson.html|title=Alphonso Johnson|newspaper=Gitarre & Bass Magazine|access-date=27 November 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131204072034/http://basscamp.gitarrebass.de/dozenten/Alphonso-Johnson.html|archive-date=4 December 2013}}</ref> England, France, Scotland, Ireland, Japan, Switzerland, Australia, Brazil and Argentina.
He has an extensive experience as a bass teacher and has conducted bass seminars and clinics in Germany,<ref name="Warwick">{{cite news|author =Wetzel, Michael|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ln9H3y71L8 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/2ln9H3y71L8| archive-date=2021-12-12 |url-status=live|title=Video: German Warwick Bass Guitars|newspaper=[[Deutsche Welle|Deutsche Welle TV]]|date=11 September 2013|access-date=8 August 2014}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|author =Herrera, Jonathan|title=Warwick Bass Camp 2013: The Best of the Bass|url=http://www.premierguitar.com/articles/19723-warwick-bass-camp-2013-the-best-of-the-bass|access-date=23 February 2015|newspaper=[[Premier Guitar]]|date=30 September 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|author1=Pilger, Georg |author2=Schmitz, Ralf |url=http://www.jazzrocktv.de/jazzrocktv-75-warwick-bass-camp-2013/|title=Video: Warwick Bass Camp 2013|newspaper=JazzrockTV|date=5 January 2014|access-date=30 January 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://basscamp.gitarrebass.de/dozenten/Alphonso-Johnson.html|title=Alphonso Johnson|newspaper=Gitarre & Bass Magazine|access-date=27 November 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131204072034/http://basscamp.gitarrebass.de/dozenten/Alphonso-Johnson.html|archive-date=4 December 2013}}</ref> England, France, Scotland, Ireland, Japan, Switzerland, Australia, Brazil and Argentina.


Johnson serves as an adjunct instructor at the [[University of Southern California]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://music.usc.edu/alphonso-johnson/|title=Alphonso Johnson &#124; USC Thornton School of Music|website=music.usc.edu}}</ref> and the [[California Institute of the Arts]].
Johnson started his college education at [[Los Angeles Pierce College|Pierce College]], and then transferred to [[California State University, Northridge]], where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education in 2014. As an undergraduate student, Johnson performed as a member of the CSUN Wind Ensemble. He pursued his graduate degree at CSU Northridge, earning a Master of Arts in Secondary Curriculum and Instruction in 2021. He serves as an adjunct instructor at the [[University of Southern California]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://music.usc.edu/alphonso-johnson/|title=Alphonso Johnson &#124; USC Thornton School of Music|website=music.usc.edu|date=11 October 2017 }}</ref> and the [[California Institute of the Arts]].


==Equipment==
==Equipment==
=== Electric basses ===
=== Electric basses ===
* Fender Precision, extensively modified
* Chapman Stick
* Chapman Stick
* Lobue Custom
* Lobue Custom
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==Discography==
==Discography==
===As leader===
=== As leader/co-leader ===
* ''Moonshadows'' ([[Epic Records|Epic]], 1976)
* ''[[Moonshadows (album)|Moonshadows]]'' ([[Epic Records|Epic]], 1976)
* ''[[Yesterday's Dreams (Alphonso Johnson album)|Yesterday's Dreams]]'' (Epic, 1976)
* ''[[Yesterday's Dreams (Alphonso Johnson album)|Yesterday's Dreams]]'' (Epic, 1976)
* ''Spellbound'' (Epic, 1977)
* ''[[Spellbound (Alphonso Johnson album)|Spellbound]]'' (Epic, 1977)
* ''Alivemutherforya'' with [[Billy Cobham]], [[Steve Khan]], [[Tom Scott (saxophonist)|Tom Scott]] ([[Columbia Records|Columbia]], 1978)


===As sideman===
=== As a member ===
'''With [[Santana (band)|Santana]]'''
'''[[Weather Report]]'''
* ''[[Beyond Appearances]]'' ([[Columbia Records|Columbia]], 1985)
* ''[[Mysterious Traveller]]'' ([[Columbia Records|Columbia]], 1974) – rec. 1973–74
* ''[[Tale Spinnin']]'' (Columbia, 1975)
* ''[[Black Market (Weather Report album)|Black Market]]'' (Columbia, 1976) – rec. 1975–76

'''[[Santana (band)|Santana]]'''
* ''[[Beyond Appearances]]'' (Columbia, 1985) – rec. 1984
* ''[[Freedom (Santana album)|Freedom]]'' (Columbia, 1987)
* ''[[Freedom (Santana album)|Freedom]]'' (Columbia, 1987)
* ''[[Spirits Dancing in the Flesh]]'' (Columbia, 1990)
* ''[[Spirits Dancing in the Flesh]]'' (Columbia, 1990)


'''With [[Weather Report]]'''
'''[[Jazz Is Dead (band)|Jazz Is Dead]]'''
* ''[[Mysterious Traveller]]'' (Columbia, 1974)
* ''[[Blue Light Rain]]'' (Zebra, 1998)
* ''[[Tale Spinnin']]'' (Columbia, 1975)
* ''[[Laughing Water]]'' (Zebra, 1999) – live
* ''[[Black Market (Weather Report album)|Black Market]]'' (Columbia, 1976)
* ''[[Great Sky River (album)|Great Sky River]]'' (Zebra, 2001) – live
⚫
* ''[[Grateful Jazz]]'' (Pet Peev, 2015) – rec. 2004


=== As sideman ===
'''With [[Bob Weir]]'''
'''With [[Bob Weir]]'''
* ''[[Bobby and the Midnites (album)|Bobby and the Midnites]]'' ([[Arista Records|Arista]], 1981)
* ''[[Bobby and the Midnites (album)|Bobby and the Midnites]]'' ([[Arista Records|Arista]], 1981)
* ''[[Where the Beat Meets the Street]]'' (Columbia, 1984)
* ''[[Where the Beat Meets the Street]]'' (Columbia, 1984)

'''With [[Jazz Is Dead]]'''
* ''Blue Light Rain'' (Zebra, 1998)
* ''Laughing Water'' (Zebra, 1999)
* ''[[Great Sky River (album)|Great Sky River]]'' (Zebra, 2001)
⚫
* ''Grateful Jazz'' (Pet Peev, 2012)


'''With others'''
'''With others'''
⚫
* [[Hermeto Pascoal]], ''Slave Mass'' (Warner Bros., 1977)
⚫
* [[Abraxas Pool]], ''[[Abraxas Pool]]'' (Miramar, 1997)
* [[Chet Baker]], [[You Can't Go Home Again (album)|You Can't Go Home Again]]'' (Horizon, 1977)
* [[Chet Baker]], [[You Can't Go Home Again (album)|You Can't Go Home Again]]'' (Horizon, 1977)
* [[Dee Dee Bridgewater]], ''[[Just Family]]'' (Elektra, 1977)
* [[Dee Dee Bridgewater]], ''[[Just Family]]'' (Elektra, 1977)
* [[George Cables]], ''[[Shared Secrets (album)|Shared Secrets]]'' (MuseFX, 2001)
* [[George Cables]], ''[[Shared Secrets (album)|Shared Secrets]]'' (MuseFX, 2001)
* [[Phil Collins]], ''[[Face Value (album)|Face Value]]'' (Virgin, 1981)
* [[Phil Collins]], ''[[Face Value (album)|Face Value]]'' (Virgin, 1981)
* [[George Duke]], ''[[The Aura Will Prevail]]'' (MPS, 1975)
* [[George Duke]], ''[[Liberated Fantasies]]'' (MPS, 1976)
* [[George Duke]], ''[[Liberated Fantasies]]'' (MPS, 1976)
* George Duke-[[Billy Cobham]] Band, ''"Live" on Tour in Europe'' ([[Atlantic Records|Atlantic]], 1976)
* [[Steve Hackett]], ''[[Genesis Revisited]]'' (Camino, 1996)
* [[Steve Hackett]], ''[[Genesis Revisited]]'' (Camino, 1996)
* [[Eddie Henderson (musician)|Eddie Henderson]], ''[[Sunburst (album)|Sunburst]]'' (Blue Note, 1975)
* [[Eddie Henderson (musician)|Eddie Henderson]], ''[[Sunburst (Eddie Henderson album)|Sunburst]]'' (Blue Note, 1975)
* [[Allan Holdsworth]], ''[[Velvet Darkness]]'' (CTI, 1976)
* [[Allan Holdsworth]], ''[[Velvet Darkness]]'' (CTI, 1976)
* [[Chuck Mangione]], ''[[Land of Make Believe (Chuck Mangione album)|Land of Make Believe]]'' ([[Mercury Records|Mercury]], 1973)
⚫
* [[Hermeto Pascoal]], ''[[Slaves Mass]]'' (Warner Bros., 1977)
⚫
* [[Abraxas Pool]], ''[[Abraxas Pool]]'' (Miramar, 1997)
* [[Flora Purim]], ''[[Open Your Eyes You Can Fly]]'' (Milestone, 1976)
* [[Flora Purim]], ''[[Open Your Eyes You Can Fly]]'' (Milestone, 1976)
* [[Carlos Santana]] and [[Wayne Shorter]], ''[[Carlos Santana and Wayne Shorter – Live at the Montreux Jazz Festival 1988|Live at the 1988 Montreux Jazz Festival ]]'' (Image Entertainment, 2005)


==References==
==References==
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{{Weather Report}}
{{Weather Report}}
{{Santana}}


{{Authority control}}
{{Authority control}}

Latest revision as of 04:03, 18 December 2024

Alphonso Johnson
Johnson in Rochester, New York, 1977
Johnson in Rochester, New York, 1977
Background information
Born (1951-02-02) February 2, 1951 (age 73)
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Genres
Occupations
  • Musician
  • composer
  • educator
Instruments
Years active1970–present
LabelsEpic/CBS Records
Websitewww.embamba.com

Alphonso Johnson (born February 2, 1951)[1] is an American jazz bassist active since the early 1970s. Johnson was a member of the jazz fusion group Weather Report from 1973 to 1975, and has performed and recorded with numerous high-profile rock and jazz acts including Santana, Phil Collins, members of the Grateful Dead, Steve Kimock, and Chet Baker.

Biography

[edit]

Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States,[1] Johnson started off as an upright bass player, but switched to the electric bass in his late teens.[1] Beginning his career in the early 1970s, Johnson showed innovation and fluidity on the electric bass. He sessioned with a few jazz musicians before landing a job with Weather Report,[2] taking over for co-founding member Miroslav Vitous. Johnson debuted with Weather Report on the album Mysterious Traveller. He appeared on two more Weather Report albums: Tale Spinnin' (1975) and Black Market (1976) before he left the band to work with drummer Billy Cobham.[2] During 1976-77 he recorded three solo albums as a band leader, for the Epic label, in a fusion-funk vein.

Johnson was one of the first musicians to introduce the Chapman Stick to the public. In 1977, his knowledge of the instrument offered him a rehearsal with Genesis, who were looking for a replacement for guitarist Steve Hackett.[3] Being more of a bassist than a guitarist, Johnson instead recommended his friend ex-Sweetbottom guitarist and fellow session musician Daryl Stuermer, who would go on to remain a member of Genesis's touring band until the band's final concert in 2022.

Johnson was one of two bass players on Phil Collins's first solo album, Face Value, in 1981.

In early 1982, Johnson joined Grateful Dead member Bob Weir's side project Bobby and the Midnites. He would reunite with Weir in 2000, playing bass in place of Phil Lesh on tour with The Other Ones. He has also performed fusion versions of Grateful Dead songs alongside Billy Cobham in the band Jazz Is Dead.

In 1996, Johnson played bass on tracks "Dance on a Volcano" and "Fountain of Salmacis" on Steve Hackett's Genesis Revisited album.

Later in 1996, Johnson toured Europe and Japan with composer and saxophonist Wayne Shorter, pianist James Beard, drummer Rodney Holmes, and guitarist David Gilmore.

He has an extensive experience as a bass teacher and has conducted bass seminars and clinics in Germany,[4][5][6][7] England, France, Scotland, Ireland, Japan, Switzerland, Australia, Brazil and Argentina.

Johnson started his college education at Pierce College, and then transferred to California State University, Northridge, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education in 2014. As an undergraduate student, Johnson performed as a member of the CSUN Wind Ensemble. He pursued his graduate degree at CSU Northridge, earning a Master of Arts in Secondary Curriculum and Instruction in 2021. He serves as an adjunct instructor at the University of Southern California[8] and the California Institute of the Arts.

Equipment

[edit]

Electric basses

[edit]
  • Fender Precision, extensively modified
  • Chapman Stick
  • Lobue Custom
  • Warwick Alphonso Johnson Custom Shop Bass Guitar[4][9]
  • Warwick Infinity
  • Vigier Arpege 5 fretless
  • Modulus Quantum 5 String Fretted and Fretless Bass

Acoustic basses

[edit]
  • Washburn AB45

Discography

[edit]

As leader/co-leader

[edit]

As a member

[edit]

Weather Report

Santana

Jazz Is Dead

As sideman

[edit]

With Bob Weir

With others

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c Colin Larkin, ed. (1992). The Guinness Encyclopedia of Popular Music (First ed.). Guinness Publishing. pp. 1292/3. ISBN 0-85112-939-0.
  2. ^ a b Yanow, Scott. "Alphonso Johnson: Biography". Allmusic. Retrieved 15 July 2011.
  3. ^ "forbassplayersonly.com: Alphonso Johnson". Archived from the original on 2 May 2014. Retrieved 1 May 2014.
  4. ^ a b Wetzel, Michael (11 September 2013). "Video: German Warwick Bass Guitars". Deutsche Welle TV. Archived from the original on 12 December 2021. Retrieved 8 August 2014.
  5. ^ Herrera, Jonathan (30 September 2013). "Warwick Bass Camp 2013: The Best of the Bass". Premier Guitar. Retrieved 23 February 2015.
  6. ^ Pilger, Georg; Schmitz, Ralf (5 January 2014). "Video: Warwick Bass Camp 2013". JazzrockTV. Retrieved 30 January 2015.
  7. ^ "Alphonso Johnson". Gitarre & Bass Magazine. Archived from the original on 4 December 2013. Retrieved 27 November 2013.
  8. ^ "Alphonso Johnson | USC Thornton School of Music". music.usc.edu. 11 October 2017.
  9. ^ "Video: Warwick Custom Shop Basses: Jack Bruce Signature for Alphonso Johnson". Warwick. Archived from the original on 12 December 2021. Retrieved 26 November 2013.
[edit]
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