John Johnson

woodwinds

John Johnson (saxophone, flute, clarinet, piccolo and harmonica) a Toronto native, John studied music at Humber College and began his professional career in 1979. Within four years he established himself as a force on the Toronto music scene. John is a rare combination of musical sensitivity and technical ability. Able to play just about anything, he is a highly respected Juno Award-winning artist. An adept recording session player in high demand, he is also a regular member of many popular bands.

Johnson is equally at home playing the funk/fusion sounds of Soul Stew, the high-energy Latin fusion of The Montuno Police, jazz standards with The Barlow Group, and classic lues with Michael Pickett. Other bands he has worked with include Cimmaron, Vector, Manteca Rob McConnell and The Boss Brass.

In addition to all the saxophones from sopranino through to baritone, he is proficient on piccolo, flute, alto flute, clarinet, and bass clarinet, versatility which has lent itself to concerts with such diverse performers as Molly Johnson, Holly Cole, Diane Krall, Cal Dodd, Dianne Reeves, Bill Mays, the Flying Bulgar Klezmer Band, as well as guest spots with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra on a number occasions.

He is also a respected educator, currently on the faculty of Jazz Studies at Humber College in Toronto, instructing in Saxophone.