Aaron M. Johnson

Aaron Michael Johnson (born June 9, 1991) is an American jazz saxophonist, writer and performance artist.[1]

Aaron M. Johnson
Johnson in 2022
Born (1991-06-09) June 9, 1991
Coos Bay, Oregon, U.S.
Occupation(s)Saxophonist, Writer and Performance Artist
Years active2009–present
RelativesJoanne Verger (grandmother)
Musical career
GenresJazz, bebop and swing
Instrument(s)Saxophone, clarinet and flute
Websiteaaronjohnsonisunderground.com

Early life

Aaron Johnson began expressing interest in music at a young age.[2] While he could play music fluently by the age of 13, he still could not read notation. His earliest woodwinds instructor Matt Utal[3] recounted, "He was precocious, very bright and advanced for his age. I stressed the importance of learning to read, and he bogged down for a long time and became a great reader."[4] Johnson was educated at Manhattan School of Music.[2][5]

Career

At 18 Johnson was chosen as lead alto saxophonist in the Gibson/Baldwin Grammy Jazz Ensemble, with whom he performed and attended 51st Annual Grammy week.[6]

In 2014, in New York, he produced an historically accurate recreation of the Charlie Parker with Strings albums,[2] thenceforth becoming a fixture on New York's bebop scene, initially with his ensemble Aaron Johnson's Reboppers,[6][7] and eventually with the Aaron Johnson Quartet.[8]

Awards and honors

In 2009, at 17, Johnson became the youngest musician ever to be awarded the Outstanding Soloist title at the Monterey Next Generation Jazz Festival.[7]

References
  1. Ricci, M. (March 27, 2021). Aaron Johnson. All About Jazz.
  2. "Aaron Johnson". ReverbNation.
  3. E-Newsletter, Oregon Coast Music Association, Spring/Summer 2020.
  4. Hockema, C. (February 6, 2009). "Mister Independent". The World.
  5. Jarenwattananon, P. (October 9, 2009). "Old vs. New and Other Inanities: The Friday Link Dump". NPR Jazz.
  6. "Your Bebop, Coming Right Up: The Aaron Johnson Jazz Quintet". Lincoln City News Guard. December 30, 2014.
  7. Wright, C. (January 6, 2015). "Bebop and Cool Jazz". Statesman Journal.
  8. Leslie, P. (November 6, 2019). "Episode #326—Aaron M. Johnson". The Paul Leslie Hour.
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