"JJ Johnson’s grooves are impeccable, laid down just so."

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• Name: J. J. Johnson
• Birthday: 6th February, Germany (grew up in San Antonio & Louisiana, USA)
• Instrument: Drums/ Percussion; Vocals
• Other Instruments: Piano
• Musical Influences: Duke Ellington, John Coltrane, Neil Young, but JJ really has a wide range of influences also including, Jimi Hendrix, Joni Mitchell, Nick Drake. Drumming influences include: Elvin Jones (John Coltrane), Roy Haynes, Jon Bonham (Led Zeppelin)
• Favourite  artist: D'Angelo.
• JJ 'S Story: He has played with dozens of well known artists. Check out JJ's Allmusic page
• Hobbies: Reading (among other things)
• Interesting fact: JJ's dad was in the army.
• JJ's Story: Often referred to as "Austin's most Notorious drummer, JJ is Highly respected and sought-after after. He has played with far too many artists to list. When JJ was a child his dad gave him a toy drum, but JJ had a yearning to be a guitarist. Drumming was his calling though, and when he was in high school he began playing in the school band and various garage bands. When JJ was 16 he was the San Antonia, and studying theory and piano at the San Antonio College. In the early 90's, JJ branched out to playing the Austin area, before relocating there in 1994. He has been part of many very cool line ups, including his own band The J. J. Johnson Trio, Hot Buttered Rhythm (in conjunction with Brannen Temple). He has played with the likes of the Sexton Brother's (Charlie & Will).
• What's JJ been up to? (as of September 2001)
  • In September 2001, JJ toured with Doyle Bramhall, whom I don't really like to promote, 'cause he went and stole him from us. Oh well, life goes on. I'm giving you this like, because JJ's new image is just too cute to resist!!
  • In June 2000, JJ was in New Zealand working on Neil Finn's latest album (due Jan 2001)There are some cool photographs of JJ in the studio (about 5 or 6 shots) Click here for a few of them.  Neil has a cool site, so visit the rest of the NilFun website for some other stuff on Crowded House & Split Enz. 
  • Recorded on Ian Moore's gorgeous album "And All The Colors" (which I have a page dedicated to).
• Cool JJ Links:
  • Chris Duarte Group Fans: Drummers -  Half way down there is a piece on JJ.
  • On The Record by Paul Kiemperer. So far the most detailed piece I have found on the net.
  • Austin Chronicle Vol17/08
  • Austin Chronicle Vol18/02 Sub-heading  of "The Edwin Livingston Group"
  • Austin Chronicle vol18/27 - Sub-heading of "Amy Atchley"
  • Weekly Wire 03-29-99 - Sub-heading of Kitty Gordon"
  • Weekly Wire 09-29-97 - Mentioned in the 6th paragraph
  • Blu Sander's Official Website
  • Amy Atchley Bio
  • The Austin Blues Family Tree Project - 1997

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Watch JJ play live with Ian Moore 

In Dallas and at SXSW 2000. Cool footage of JJ in both concerts. If you do a search on Ian Moore, you will find other live performances with JJ performing (also see Ian's column on my Links page)

JJ has also played on....
Ian Moore's latest album And All the Colors
Blu's albums, and occasionally plays in his live band.

Other albums J.J. plays on:

• CDNOW!
• Barnes & Noble

• AllMusic Guide