What a modest, articulate, soft-spoken gentleman Plas Johnson is, especially considering his huge legacy of recordings and his influence on jazz music.
When I first heard the solo on "You Took Advantage of Me" (Nelson Riddle/Linda Ronstadt), it hit me like a giant thunderbolt, and stayed with me to this day. The sound of Plas on that solo alone says it all. I will strive for that sound every day of the rest of my playing life.
Plas Johnson was an outrageously flexible musician, proving as comfortable playing Popular and R&B music as that of Jazz and Studio. He doubled on flute as well. As regards saxophone he was one of those tenors who along with players like Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis can be truly categorized 'Big Horn'. Listen to those obbligatos and arpeggios he plays interspersed throughout the Pink Panther films, going in and out, playing inside the chord and out again, featuring that signature, lush, big fat sound, adding considerable decoration for which the solo itself constitutes the trademark, Pink Panther. When hearing it, one immediately knows it speaks the mascot, the pink panther itself.
Plus gives a masterclass on how to earn a living as a musician. I met him when we worked together in Switzerland around the time of this interview and I asked him "when were you able to sleep?"... between the dates that he gives here, 1956 till 1963. When he figured out the point I was trying to make, that he was on so many recordings during that period that time out of the studio was rare - he just gave me that faint smile and shrugged his shoulders. I always listen and watch for Plas, you never know where he's going to turn up.
Wow! Thanks Monk! - Great Interview! Plas was one of the most important and prolific of R&B tenor players ever, as we all know. His statement of Hank Manicini’s Pink Panther theme is absolutely iconic. But even more special to me is Plas' work with T-Bone Walker, from this great and iconic Atlantic Records session, recorded in Los Angeles in 1957. Plas’ work here could not be more apt for this high moment. And if you look at the personnel for this date, you will notice that Ray Johnson is at the piano. - And that’s Plas’ brother. Plas Johnson (ts) Ray Johnson (p) Barney Kessel, R.S. Rankin (g) T-Bone Walker (g, vo) Joe Comfort (b) Earl Palmer (d) Los Angeles, CA, December 27, 1957 2902 Evenin' 2907 How Long Blues ruclips.net/video/A1rbMEUp4Bg/видео.html ruclips.net/video/SqST78K5C8c/видео.html
Played many glorious solos on Nelson Riddle's arrangements. Can be heard weaving in and out of the textures (Keely Smith - When your lover has gone (57').
Plas Johnson is originally from Donaldville Louisiana. He usually tells people he's from New Orleans, not true. Plas is my 1st cousin. My grandmother and Plas's mother, Grace, are sisters. I've studied with Plas for years. Plas would always stop through Atlanta to visit my grandmother while he was on tour .This is where I started studying jazz saxophone with Plas. I've learned a great deal of improving from cousin Plas, and I thank him so much for inspiring me to follow in his footsteps.
One of the absolute greats!
What a modest, articulate, soft-spoken gentleman Plas Johnson is, especially considering his huge legacy of recordings and his influence on jazz music.
When I first heard the solo on "You Took Advantage of Me" (Nelson Riddle/Linda Ronstadt), it hit me like a giant thunderbolt, and stayed with me to this day. The sound of Plas on that solo alone says it all. I will strive for that sound every day of the rest of my playing life.
So, you got me curious and I found the tune on youtube, and indeed there is Plas. Wonderful solo, it almost upstages Linda Ronstadt.
So much history behind Mr. Johnson. And yes you young players really need to listen to his early solos!
Plas Johnson was an outrageously flexible musician, proving as comfortable playing Popular and R&B music as that of Jazz and Studio. He doubled on flute as well. As regards saxophone he was one of those tenors who along with players like Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis can be truly categorized 'Big Horn'.
Listen to those obbligatos and arpeggios he plays interspersed throughout the Pink Panther films, going in and out, playing inside the chord and out again, featuring that signature, lush, big fat sound, adding considerable decoration for which the solo itself constitutes the trademark, Pink Panther. When hearing it, one immediately knows it speaks the mascot, the pink panther itself.
Plus gives a masterclass on how to earn a living as a musician. I met him when we worked together in Switzerland around the time of this interview and I asked him "when were you able to sleep?"... between the dates that he gives here, 1956 till 1963. When he figured out the point I was trying to make, that he was on so many recordings during that period that time out of the studio was rare - he just gave me that faint smile and shrugged his shoulders. I always listen and watch for Plas, you never know where he's going to turn up.
Nice interview Monk, thanks... Gotta love Plas... Listen to him play Miami's Blue with The Marketts.
Love Plas!
Wow! Thanks Monk! - Great Interview!
Plas was one of the most important and prolific of R&B tenor players ever, as we all know. His statement of Hank Manicini’s Pink Panther theme is absolutely iconic.
But even more special to me is Plas' work with T-Bone Walker, from this great and iconic Atlantic Records session, recorded in Los Angeles in 1957. Plas’ work here could not be more apt for this high moment. And if you look at the personnel for this date, you will notice that Ray Johnson is at the piano. - And that’s Plas’ brother.
Plas Johnson (ts) Ray Johnson (p) Barney Kessel, R.S. Rankin (g) T-Bone Walker (g, vo) Joe Comfort (b) Earl Palmer (d)
Los Angeles, CA, December 27, 1957
2902 Evenin'
2907 How Long Blues
ruclips.net/video/A1rbMEUp4Bg/видео.html
ruclips.net/video/SqST78K5C8c/видео.html
A genius he played saxophone on the pink panther theme on the pink panther ( 1963) . From Michael from Yorkshire and proud of it .
Played many glorious solos on Nelson Riddle's arrangements. Can be heard weaving in and out of the textures (Keely Smith - When your lover has gone (57').
If you're a rock'n'roll tenor man - this cat is the KING!!
Did Plas publish the book that was mentioned in this interview? It doesn't show up on Amazon.
To my knowledge, it was not published.
Disappointing.
Where was Plas Johnson originally from? Was it Missouri?
The Grove Encyclopedia of Jazz states his birthplace as Donaldsonville, Louisiana. Makes sense as his early career was in New Orleans.
Plas Johnson is originally from Donaldville Louisiana. He usually tells people he's from New Orleans, not true. Plas is my 1st cousin. My grandmother and Plas's mother, Grace, are sisters. I've studied with Plas for years. Plas would always stop through Atlanta to visit my grandmother while he was on tour .This is where I started studying jazz saxophone with Plas. I've learned a great deal of improving from cousin Plas, and I thank him so much for inspiring me to follow in his footsteps.