Fred Johnson

An excellent swing-based pianist in the 1930s, Freddy Johnson's peak years were spent in Europe. He worked with Elmer Snowden (1925) and Noble Sissle, then first visited Europe in 1928 with Sam Wooding. In 1929, he moved to Paris, leading his own band, working with Arthur Briggs, and recording during 1933-1934. Johnson spent time in Belgium and Amsterdam, performed often with Coleman Hawkins and Willie Lewis, and had a final record session in 1939. Unfortunately, he chose to ignore the dominance of the Nazis, was arrested, and spent 1941-1944 in a prison camp. After being released and returned to the U.S., Johnson played with Garvin Bushell and mostly worked as a piano teacher in the 1950s. His sessions as a leader are available on a Classics CD.