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DATE OF BIRTH: Oct. 19, 1939 PLACE OF BIRTH: Daytona Beach, FL INSTRUMENT: tenor sax |
| Leo Johnson came to Newark in the late '50s before joining the service and becoming a member of the U.S. Air Force Band in Europe. After his tour ended, he returned to Newark and has been a mainstay on the local jazz scene ever since. These days, he fronts his own quartet, but in the past he has played in the bands of Specks Williams, Bobby "Blue" Bland, Bill Doggett, Jack McDuff, Jimmy McGriff and Chico Mendoza. Johnson served as musical director of Little Jimmy Scott's band and also toured with organist Rhoda Scott, recording with her in Paris. He holds a BA in music performance and a master's in jazz history from Rutgers-Newark. Over the years, Johnson has also served as a mentor to any number of young musicians who either lived locally or came to the New York metropolitan area seeking a career in jazz, artists that include Cassandra Wilson, Winard and Phillip Harper, Terence Blanchard, Victor Jones, Andy McCloud, Dave Eubanks, Alan Watson and Regina Belle. Johnson has released two CDs in recent years: "It's About Time" and "Message to Mankind." He is the musical director of the Newark Jazz Elders. NEWARK CLUBS: Len & Len's, Playbill Lounge, Sparky J's, Pitt's Place, Front Room, Golden Peacock, Torch Club, Robby's Lounge, Blue Note, Key Club, Cadillac Club, El C's, The Golden Slipper, Six Steps Down, Terrace Ballroom, Mr. Wes's, Four Leaf Deli |
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