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A Golden Month for for J. J. Johnson - December 1947: Discography

By Christopher Smith • November 01, 1997 • • 3 min read

December 11th, 1947 - New York City
Personnel
Coleman Hawkins (ts), Fats Navarro (tp), J. J. Johnson (tb), Budd Johnson (as), Marion DiVeta (bs), Hank Jones (p), Chuck Wayne (g), Jack Lesberg(b), Max Roach (d)
Matrix NumbersTitlesRecord /CD Issues
D7VB2659April In ParisBMG 09026-68515-2
D7VB2660 How Strange
D7VB2661 Half Step Down, Please
D7VB2662 Angel Face
D7VB2663-1 Jumpin' For Jane
Sources
Jepsen, Fini, Bourgois, Smith
December 17th, 1947 - New York City
Personnel
Charlie Parker (as), Miles Davis (tp), J. J. Johnson (tb), Duke Jordan (p), Tommy Potter (b), Max Roach (d)
Matrix NumbersTitles (alt. name)Record /CD Issues
take B*Drifting on a Reed (Big Foot)(Giant Swing)Stash ST-CD-567/68/69/70
take D Drifting on a Reed
take E Drifting on a Reed (Air Conditioning)
take A **Quasimado (sic)
take B Quasimado (Trade Winds)
take B Charlie's Wig (Bongo Bop)
take D Charlie's Wig (Drifting On A Road)
take E Charlie's Wig
take B Bongo Beep (Dexterity)
take C Bongo Beep
take A Crazeology
take B Crazeology
take C Crazeology
take D Crazeology
take A How Deep is the Ocean
take B How Deep is the Ocean
* Note- J. J. Johnson was not audible during the opening or closing heads (melody choruses) of take B, "Drifting on a Reed."
** Note- This tune is spelled here as it was on the original release.
Sources
Chambers, Bourgois, Smith
December 18th, 1947 - New York City
Personnel
Illinois Jacquet (ts), Joe Newman (tp), Russell Jacquet (tp, voc), J. J. Johnson (tb), Leo Parker (bs), Sir Charles Thompson (p), Al Lucas (b), Shadow Wilson (d)
Matrix NumbersTitlesRecord /CD Issues
D7VB2854Jet PropulsionMosaic MD 4-165
D7VB2855King Jacquet
D7VB2855Try Me One More Time
D7VB2855Embryo (J. J. co-comp)
Sources
Jepsen, Fini, Bourgois, Mosaic, Smith
December 19th, 1947 - New York City
Personnel
Similar to 12/18/47, but add John Collins (g)
Matrix NumbersTitlesRecord /CD Issues
D7VB2889Riffin' At 24th StreetMosaic MD 4-165
D7VB2890Mutton Leg
D7VB2891Symphony In Sid
Note- the discographies cited below also include the tune "A Jacquet For Jack The Bellboy," but this tune is a quartet number with Jacquet as the only horn playing. For that reason, it is not included in this discography.
Sources
Sources: Jepsen, Fini, Bourgois, Mosaic, Smith
December 19th, 1947 - New York City
Personnel
Leo Parker (bs), Joe Newman (tp), J. J. Johnson (tb), Dexter Gordon (as, ts), Hank Jones (p), Curly Russell (b), Shadow Wilson (d)
Matrix NumbersTitlesRecord /CD Issues
S3495-1Wee Dot (J. J. comp)Savoy SJL2211
S3495-2Wee DotSavoy SJL2225
S3495-3Wee DotSavoy 2211, 950, XP8060, MG9009
S3495-4Wee DotSavoy SJL2225
S3496SolitudeSavoy 929, XP8060, MG9024, SJL2225
S3497-1The Lion RoarsSavoy SJL2211
S3497-2The Lion RoarsSavoy SJL2225
S3497-3The Lion RoarsSavoy SJL2211, XP8060, MG9026, 929
S3497-4The Lion RoarsSavoy SJL2225
S3498Mad Lad BoogieSavoy 929, XP8060
S3499untitled tuneunissued
Sources
Jepsen, Fini, Bourgois, Smith
December 24th, 1947 - New York City
Personnel
J. J. Johnson (tb), Leo Parker (bs), Hank Jones (p), Al Lucas (b), Shadow Wilson (d)
Matrix NumbersTitlesRecord /CD Issues
S3519Boneology (J. J. comp)Savoy 151
S3520Down Vernon's Alley
S3521Yesterdays
S3522Riffette (J. J. comp)
Sources
Jepsen, Fini, Bourgois, Smith

Note: Record or CD issues currently in print are listed in bold print.

Key to abbreviations

as- alto saxb- bassbs- bari saxco-comp- co-composer
comp- composerd- drumsg- guitarJ. J. - J. J. Johnson
p- pianotb- trombonetp- trumpetts- tenor sax
voc- vocal

Discographical Sources

Bourgois, Louis. Jazz Trombonist J. J. Johnson: A Study Of The Early Development Of His Style. (D.M.A. Dissertation) Ohio State University, 1986.

Fini, Francesco . The Complete J. J. Johnson Discography. Imola, Italy: Published by the author, 1962.

Jepsen, Jorgen Grunnet . Jazz Records: 1942-1962, 8 volumes. Copenhagen: Karl Emil Knudsen, 1965.

Smith, Christopher. Private record collection.