Gail Jhonson
Gail Jhonson | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| Genres | Funk / Jazz / R&B / Soul Music |
| Occupation(s) | Keyboardist/Music director / Composer / Producer / Music arranger |
| Years active | Mid 80's - Present |
| Labels | Philly The Kid Music |
| Website | [1] |
Gail Jhonson (also known as Gail Denise Johnson)
The First Lady of Smooth Jazz is a distinction that Gail Denise Jhonson has worked a lifetime to achieve. Jhonson brings all of her many talents to bear as soul-lifting spiritualist, next-gen feminist inspiration, big-picture band leader and, Philly street-corner rhythmist; building on a foundation of straight-ahead jazz, R&B, Funk and Gospel.
Born and raised in the city of Philadelphia, Gail Jhonson began piano lessons when she was 10-years-old. A gifted student, Gail advanced quickly. She played her first gigs on the organ with numerous Philadelphia Funk and R&B bands when she was only 14. Later, Gail enrolled into Berklee College of Music and earned a B. A., in Composition. In 1985, she auditioned and played keyboard for Morris Day (The TIME) then moved to Los Angeles shortly thereafter. Keep The Music Playing (2004) is the title of Gail Jhonson's highly acclaimed debut contemporary jazz CD (Philly The Kid Records). It brought her into the international recording spotlight with hits such as "Heaven" and "Just For Kicks." Gail is a recipient of a 2009, Grammy® Award nod. She was also awarded two Black Women In Jazz Awards in 2014 in the categories of Best Black Female Jazz Composer/ Arranger/ Producer, and Best Pianist/Keyboardist. The artist was nominated again for Black Women In Jazz Awards in two categories in 2015. Additionally, Jhonson is the music director, Keyboardist, and vocalist for smooth jazz super star guitarist and vocalist, Norman Brown. Gail has toured with Patti Austin, Alex Bugnon, and Paul Taylor. In 2014, she wrote the musical score for the stage, "Philly" for Dennis Rowe productions and is currently working on her latest CD titled, Beginnings.
Gail has 4 solo CD’s to date (1996 It’s About Time, 2004 Keep The Music Playing, 2008 Pearls-received the nod from the 51th Grammys and 2011 Herstory. She established (Philly The Kid Records 1987), and brought her composing, producing and arranging skills into the international recording spotlight. She won BMA Best Jazz Musician 2010 & 2011. In 2014 winner of 2 Black Women in Jazz awards for Best Pianist & Best Composer. Alongside flautist Althea Rene, she formed and directs the All-Star female jazz ensemble Jazz in Pink in 2008 featuring: Karen Briggs, Neena Freelon, Kat Dyson, Maysa, Robin Bramlett, Mariea Antoinette, Nik West, Nedra Wheeler, Lois "LadyMAc"McMorris and Estaire Godinez. She has her own band "3 Piece Suit" in Los Angeles. She is an educator and author of 3 music method books, and also composer for several musicals, namely: "Overcome Overjoyed", "Philly", "Saving Grace" and the movie "If Not For His Grace".
Albums[edit]
| Title | Year | Label |
|---|---|---|
| It's About Time | 1996 | Philly The Kid Music |
| Keep The Music Playing | 2004 | Philly The Kid Music |
| Pearls | 2008 | NuGroove Records |
| Herstory | 2011 | Philly The Kid Music |
| Eternity-Norman Connors | 1987 | Warner Bros |
| Oversea-Minako Honda | 1987 | Eastworld |
| Imagination-LaToya Jackson | 1986 | Private Records |
| The Newtrons | 1990 | MCA Records |
| Soul-Tree-Lin Rountree | 2011 | |
| After The Storm-Norman Brown | 1994 | Mojazz |
| Better Days Ahead-Norman Brown | 1997 | Mojazz |
| Lifeline-Pamela Williams | 1998 | Shanachie |
| Beginnings-Cleavant Derricks | 1999 | |
| This Is Me-Dwayne "Smitty" Smith | 2005 | Bottom End Music |
| Evolution-Pamela Williams | 2002 | Shanachie |
| Just A Taste Of Rain-Rain Pryor | 2003 | |
| Vein | 2003 | Vein Entertainment |
| Vein 2 | 2006 | Vein Entertainment |
| The Saxtress Collection-Pamela Williams | 2008 | |
| Absoflutely-Alvin Fisher | 2013 | |
| This Time-Estaire Godinez | 2010 | |
| On The Way-Justin Young | 2006 | Justintime Records |
| All The Little Children-Chiquita Green & Gail Jhonson | 2012 | Philly The Kid Music |
| Miles Stamp USPS-Jon Barnes | 2012 | |
| A Songbird's Thank You-Pamella Elaine | 2014 | |
| Sola Fide-Fidelody | 2014 | |
| Christmas Is Love-Tamina Khyrah-joi | 2010 | Philly The Kid |
| This Is My Life-Robin Bramlett | 2013 | |
| ForeCast J.S. Floyd | 2006 | Staffoly Music |
| United We Cure-Compilation CD | 2013 | Prvcy Premium |
| Let The World Know-PamLawrence | 2005 | |
| FLOS, feat Ollie Woodsen | 1987 | Superstar |
| One on One | 1991 | Philly The Kid Music |
| Grooves For The Season-NuGroove | 2008 | Philly The Kid/NuGroove |
| 1st Collection-Jazz in Pink | 2015 | Philly The Kid Music |
| Mr. Guitar-David P. Stevens | 2015 |
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