Biography Osie Johnson

James "Osie" Johnson (January 11, 1923, in Washington, D.C. – February 10, 1966 in New York City) was a jazz drummer, arranger and singer.

He first worked with Sabby Lewis and then, after service in the United States Navy freelanced for a time in Chicago. From 1951 to 1953 he worked in Earl Hines's band.

He can be heard on albums by Paul Gonsalves, Zoot Sims, and Mose Allison. He recorded an album as a singer, "A Bit of the Blues," and had arranged at a "hit" for singer Dinah Washington. His final recordings as a singer were on a J. J. Johnson album, now compiled as a collection called Goodies.

Discography:

As leader

1955: Johnson's Whacks

1955: Osie's Oasis with Henry Coker, Charlie Fowlkes, Milt Hinton, Bill Hughes, Thad Jones, Dick Katz, Wendell Marshall, Frank Wess, Ernie Wilkins

1955: Swingin' Sounds

1957: The Happy Jazz of Osie Johnson

As sideman

With Kenny Burrell

Bluesin' Around (Columbia, 1961 [1983])

With Art Farmer

Last Night When We Were Young (ABC-Paramount, 1957)

With Curtis Fuller

Cabin in the Sky (Impulse!, 1962)

With Bennie Green

Bennie Green Blows His Horn (Prestige, 1955)

With Lionel Hampton

You Better Know It!!! (Impulse!, 1965)

With Johnny Hartman

The Voice That Is! (Impulse!, 1964)

With Langston Hughes

Weary Blues (MGM, 1958)

With J. J. Johnson

Goodies (RCA, 1965)

With Mundell Lowe

Porgy & Bess (RCA Camden, 1958)

With Junior Mance

The Soul of Hollywood (Jazzland, 1962)

With Phineas Newborn, Jr.

Phineas Newborn Plays Jamaica (September 7, 8 & 9, 1957) (RCA Victor LPM 1589)

With Oscar Pettiford

Another One, 1955

With Shirley Scott

Great Scott!! (Impulse!, 1964)

With Zoot Sims

Zoot! (Riverside, 1956)

With Sonny Stitt

Broadway Soul (Colpix, 1965)

With Billy Taylor

Kwamina (Mercury, 1961)

With Ben Webster

See You at the Fair (Impulse!, 1964)

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