Pete Johnson

Pete Johnson spent part of his childhood in an orphanage, doing odd jobs, and learned to play the drums at the age of 10, then the piano a little later (1920). That same year, he made his debut as a pianist at the Hawaian Gardens club in Kansas City. Often playing solo (1924-1930), he met Joe Turner, who was working as a bartender. The duo became a popular attraction with New York's black public. Pete Johnson became the star of the Famous Door club in New York in 1935. His fame took on a new dimension with the famous "Spirituals To Swing" concert at Carnegie Hall in 1938. With Albert Ammons and Meade Lux Lewis, the trio was a triumph. The duo collaboration with Albert Ammons lasts many years (Cafe Society). Pete Johnson moves to Buffalo, gives a few concerts with Art Tatum (1951) and Erroll Garner (1952), and plays with Big Joe Turner and Jimmy Rushing (1955). He came to Europe, and took part in the Newport Jazz Festival (1958). Stricken by a heart condition that partially paralyzed him, Pete Johnson stopped playing in 1958, but returned to the stage in 1964 for a second "Spirituals To Swing" concert with Big Joe Turner and Ray Bryant.

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