What a genius ! Not just rhythm , balance , colour and “bluesiness” but remarkable harmonic hints - shall I go there ? No , I’ll come back ….Fabulous playing !
James P uses chromatic scales so beautifully...In fact all of his chromaticism is brilliant and should be studied more among the jazz snobbery of academia and beyond. ALSO pretty inspiring to hear that roaring applause from the presumably young audience at an American college in 1949, well into the bebop years! One must notice the wonderful balance of flourishing cascades of runs/arpeggios with his dressed up signature riffs. His improvising is truly open, having absorbed sounds proceeding his "prime". He is grounded yet undeniably free, amplified by his incredible imagination and technique beyond his piano contemporaries.
James P Johnson is undoubtedly one of the most under recognised true giants of the Blues and American Music history. He was the pianist that was featured in one of the first ever movies recorded with sound, "St Louis Blues" with the phenomenal voice of Bessie Smith. James was also the man who inspired other blues and jazz legends like Fats Waller, etc. Absolutely awesome recording and thank you so much for sharing. New subscriber right here 😎🍻👍🍻
Thanks to major advocacy from stride piano aficionados, and newer jazz course curricula in schools being more inclusive of pre-bop jazz, James P Johnson is now nearly in the pantheon where he belongs of recognition, not just for WHAT he did, which is remarkable, but HOW WELL he did it, which might be even more remarkable. I think is one of the few jazz pianists of his era who truly could solidly stand next to the classical giant pianists of his day in terms of technique, tone production and above all, sheer musicality. He was truly a musician’s musician. Hopefully some of the other underappreciated giants (major influencers, movers and shakers) of his day like Arthur Schutt and Clarence M Jones, will get their due as well in coming years, and can also join him in the pantheon.
I have only heard two living pianists which to me can come near what James P Johnson did, or at least the particular things he did: Dick Hyman and Jim Turner.
@@andrewbarrett1537 I agree wholeheartedly about Arthur Schutt and Dick Hyman, both of whose work I am familiar with. Dick deserves one of those big tribute nights at Lincoln Center.
Amazing, marvelous musician. Amazing, marvelous pianist. I swear if anyone else tries to claim James P Johnson “couldn’t play the blues” or some such nonsense I have seen claimed in some mid 20th century jazz books, liner notes and pieces of criticism, I will smack them. This is absolutely superlative and most definitely the blues. Thank you ever so much for sharing with us, and thanks especially to whomever recorded this performance for preserving it for us to hear!!!
I definitely agree with you, Andrew! And this matter Is the subject of one of my many articles and essays on the one-and-only James P. Johnson. Another beautiful "Blackwater Blues" recorded by him is found transcribed in my book "Harlem Stride Piano Solos". His music is definitely among the very best Stride, jazz and blues music ever recorded! Greetings from Italy!
James P Johnson is in my top 10 of all time favorite pianists for sure, in any genre. In terms of pianists from the 20s, he is among Clarence Johnson (who was very very heavily influenced by him and one of the few who could perfectly copy his style at times, as well as having his own style); Buddy Burton (a much more limited pianist; but one with some unique tricks and a very consistent and charming feel and groove); Pete Wendling (one of the greatest ragtime pianists of all time and one of the most swinging white pianists); Cliff Hess (his understatement and tastefulness is the absolute benchmark of those qualities for me); and Frank E Banta (his virtuosity set the standard for pop piano in the 20s).
A truly extraordinary performance. I don't like his other, better known version of Backwater Blues, which I've always found uninspired, but holy moly! This one sets the record straight. He obviously absorbed a lot of Tatum's influence at this point and is not shy of showing it here. I also liked that "waterfall" run as a nice wink and tribute to Fats Waller. It's almost unfair to always consider Johnson as the king of stride. He was that, but at the same time he was also so much more!
Yes, absolutely. If you listen to the man’s entire output; not just solo recordings and piano rolls, but also band sides and vocal accompaniments, it is an awe inspiring body of work in its overall consistent excellence, as well as its variety and consistent, unfailing good taste.
@@SimonNoina Though he was only 55, he had a stroke back in 1940 that prevented him from really working for 2 years. He eventually had an even larger stroke in 1951 that left him paralyzed. Sad to see another great musician leave too soon.
Yes I was referring to his strokes. Although the audio quality is excellent and also shows his unfailingly elegant touch and masterful tone-production, I was frankly disappointed when I first heard his 1940s Decca commercial solo records because they seem to lack the variety and invention of his classic work from the 20s. However, this proves that despite the stroke, he still HAD IT in 1949!!!
@@GDsJazz Yes, that seems to be a curse that plagues many great jazz pianists - him, Fats Waller, Art Tatum, Bud Powell, Dick Wellstood, Michel Petrucciani, the list goes on and on. Fortunately we've also had the likes of The Lion, Earl Hines, Oscar Peterson, Dick Hyman etc. who had been active until fairly advanced age.
You’re right. He was “on” that night and also must have been practicing very well before this concert. I don’t mean to imply much of this was worked out, but speaking as a professional musician there is quite a difference when you do and don’t practice before a gig or recording session. Of course, JPJ on his worst days could still kick my ass on my best, but that is one of many reasons why he is great.
What a genius ! Not just rhythm , balance , colour and “bluesiness” but remarkable harmonic hints - shall I go there ? No , I’ll come back ….Fabulous playing !
James P uses chromatic scales so beautifully...In fact all of his chromaticism is brilliant and should be studied more among the jazz snobbery of academia and beyond.
ALSO pretty inspiring to hear that roaring applause from the presumably young audience at an American college in 1949, well into the bebop years!
One must notice the wonderful balance of flourishing cascades of runs/arpeggios with his dressed up signature riffs.
His improvising is truly open, having absorbed sounds proceeding his "prime". He is grounded yet undeniably free, amplified by his incredible imagination and technique beyond his piano contemporaries.
The Supreme Master, period. This is why I dedicated so many large parts of my piano books to his wonderful music.
James P Johnson is undoubtedly one of the most under recognised true giants of the Blues and American Music history.
He was the pianist that was featured in one of the first ever movies recorded with sound, "St Louis Blues" with the phenomenal voice of Bessie Smith.
James was also the man who inspired other blues and jazz legends like Fats Waller, etc.
Absolutely awesome recording and thank you so much for sharing.
New subscriber right here 😎🍻👍🍻
Under recognized by whom?
Thanks to major advocacy from stride piano aficionados, and newer jazz course curricula in schools being more inclusive of pre-bop jazz, James P Johnson is now nearly in the pantheon where he belongs of recognition, not just for WHAT he did, which is remarkable, but HOW WELL he did it, which might be even more remarkable. I think is one of the few jazz pianists of his era who truly could solidly stand next to the classical giant pianists of his day in terms of technique, tone production and above all, sheer musicality. He was truly a musician’s musician. Hopefully some of the other underappreciated giants (major influencers, movers and shakers) of his day like Arthur Schutt and Clarence M Jones, will get their due as well in coming years, and can also join him in the pantheon.
I have only heard two living pianists which to me can come near what James P Johnson did, or at least the particular things he did: Dick Hyman and Jim Turner.
@@andrewbarrett1537 I agree wholeheartedly about Arthur Schutt and Dick Hyman, both of whose work I am familiar with. Dick deserves one of those big tribute nights at Lincoln Center.
Art Tatum too
Amazing, marvelous musician. Amazing, marvelous pianist. I swear if anyone else tries to claim James P Johnson “couldn’t play the blues” or some such nonsense I have seen claimed in some mid 20th century jazz books, liner notes and pieces of criticism, I will smack them. This is absolutely superlative and most definitely the blues. Thank you ever so much for sharing with us, and thanks especially to whomever recorded this performance for preserving it for us to hear!!!
It's bluesy, but blues it ain't. But wonderful ! Rhythmic, refreshing, full of vitality.
Of course he could play blues, I'd never say otherwise.
I definitely agree with you, Andrew! And this matter Is the subject of one of my many articles and essays on the one-and-only James P. Johnson. Another beautiful "Blackwater Blues" recorded by him is found transcribed in my book "Harlem Stride Piano Solos". His music is definitely among the very best Stride, jazz and blues music ever recorded! Greetings from Italy!
When it's all said and done, I think James P. Johnson is my favorite of them all.
Definitely my favorite stride pianist, especially in the 1940s, by then it was after he had a stroke and somehow his style definitely improved ..!
James P Johnson is in my top 10 of all time favorite pianists for sure, in any genre. In terms of pianists from the 20s, he is among Clarence Johnson (who was very very heavily influenced by him and one of the few who could perfectly copy his style at times, as well as having his own style); Buddy Burton (a much more limited pianist; but one with some unique tricks and a very consistent and charming feel and groove); Pete Wendling (one of the greatest ragtime pianists of all time and one of the most swinging white pianists); Cliff Hess (his understatement and tastefulness is the absolute benchmark of those qualities for me); and Frank E Banta (his virtuosity set the standard for pop piano in the 20s).
@@andrewbarrett1537 thank you for these names to follow up on.
Wonderful recording, sounds like he was totally relaxed for this.
Quel talent ! dommage qu'on n'ai pas de video de ce pianiste exceptionnel .....
A truly extraordinary performance. I don't like his other, better known version of Backwater Blues, which I've always found uninspired, but holy moly! This one sets the record straight. He obviously absorbed a lot of Tatum's influence at this point and is not shy of showing it here. I also liked that "waterfall" run as a nice wink and tribute to Fats Waller. It's almost unfair to always consider Johnson as the king of stride. He was that, but at the same time he was also so much more!
Yes, absolutely. If you listen to the man’s entire output; not just solo recordings and piano rolls, but also band sides and vocal accompaniments, it is an awe inspiring body of work in its overall consistent excellence, as well as its variety and consistent, unfailing good taste.
HOLY SMOKES will you be transcribing this?!?!?!
I had no idea he STILL HAD IT to this pronounced degree in 1949! ! !
Amazing!!!
Agree - but he was only aged 55 here! - hopefully he wouldn't have lost too much by that age
@@SimonNoina Though he was only 55, he had a stroke back in 1940 that prevented him from really working for 2 years. He eventually had an even larger stroke in 1951 that left him paralyzed. Sad to see another great musician leave too soon.
Yes I was referring to his strokes. Although the audio quality is excellent and also shows his unfailingly elegant touch and masterful tone-production, I was frankly disappointed when I first heard his 1940s Decca commercial solo records because they seem to lack the variety and invention of his classic work from the 20s. However, this proves that despite the stroke, he still HAD IT in 1949!!!
@@GDsJazz Yes, that seems to be a curse that plagues many great jazz pianists - him, Fats Waller, Art Tatum, Bud Powell, Dick Wellstood, Michel Petrucciani, the list goes on and on. Fortunately we've also had the likes of The Lion, Earl Hines, Oscar Peterson, Dick Hyman etc. who had been active until fairly advanced age.
thank youvery much for posting this
Bonjour, en entendant ce morceau, on a une idée juste de ce qu'est LE BLUES.
What makes this especially extraordinary is that Johnson had suffered a stroke years earlier. Obviously, there are no effects of it here.
You’re right. He was “on” that night and also must have been practicing very well before this concert. I don’t mean to imply much of this was worked out, but speaking as a professional musician there is quite a difference when you do and don’t practice before a gig or recording session. Of course, JPJ on his worst days could still kick my ass on my best, but that is one of many reasons why he is great.
Is it an improv
Ce que les artistes noirs américains font de mieux pour le piano, eux qui ont inventé le jazz...