James Price Johnson (1891-1955)
James Johnson was born in 1891 in New Brunswick, New Jersey. Johnson studied Classical and Ragtime music as a boy. He began to play professionally and was soon recognized as the best pianist on the East Coast. During the 1920s he backed many classic blues singers including Bessie Smith. He was very influential in the change from the ragtime style of playing to the new jazz style of playing. The first recorded jazz piano solo, and his most famous song is called "Carolina Shout." Also. he wrote many musical revenues including "Running Wild" which contained his 1923 hit the "Charleston." Johnson was not considered to be very popular and is often left out in American History, but he was very influential in the creation of other Harlem musicians including Duke Ellington and Fats Waller. Johnson died in 1955 at the age of 64, due to a stroke. To hear his hit the "Charleston" click on this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6N_H9Dyj84M