Manzie Johnson

Isham "Manzie" Johnson (August 19, 1906 – April 9, 1971) was an American jazz drummer.[1]

Johnson was raised in New York City, and played in Harlem in the 1920s with Fats Waller,[1] James P. Johnson,[1] and other stride pianists,[1] before going on to work with Willie Gant (1926),[1] June Clark, Elmer Snowden (ca. 1927),[1] and Joe Steele.

He recorded with Jelly Roll Morton (1928),[1] James P. Johnson, and Horace Henderson (1930) before joining Don Redman's orchestra, where he played from 1931 to 1937,[1] appearing in the film Don Redman and his Orchestra (1934).[1]

Johnson then spent time as a freelance musician, recording with Red Allen,[1] Benny Morton,[1] Willie Bryant, Lil Armstrong, Mezz Mezzrow, Redman and James P. Johnson again, Ovie Alston, and Fletcher Henderson. He served in the military during World War II, then played part-time with Sidney Bechet (ca. 1951), Garvin Bushell, and Happy Caldwell. Johnson never led his own recording session.