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Baltimore
Jazz Legend,
Edward “Chico”
Johnson, Dies at 70
By Tamm E Hunt
“Chico” Johnson, the exuberant keyboardist and artist
was found dead in his Druid Hill Avenue music and
art studio on November 1, 2006 at the age of 70. His body was discovered by his son and daughter, Edward, Jr. and Calla. He
was best known throughout his career as the music director at the historic Pennsylvania
Avenue night spot, The Sphinx Club and his legendary Jazz Jams at the old Sportman’s Lounge.
He battled diabetes and kidney disease in his later years and survived triple bypass surgery. Although he received a second
kidney transplant in 2002, his health continued to deteriorate.
Born
Edward Julius Johnson, August 15, 1936 at 1410 Myrtle Avenue in Baltimore, Chico’s mother, Carrie died giving birth,
leaving him in the care of his father, jazz and gospel pianist Leonard “Deacon” Johnson who gave him his first
piano lesson at age five when his elder brother Winston rejected the opportunity to follow in their dad’s footstep.
As Chico matured into his teenage years, his creative expression
and artistic curiosities grew intensely for music as he developed an equal passion for drawing and painting. Today, his works of art hang in The Eubie Blake National Jazz Museum’s Gallery and Cultural Center, The
Great Blacks in Wax Museum’s Mansion House and many are included among the portfolios of several prominent collections.
His last exhibition at the Urban Leagues’s Orchard Street Church was a collaboration with friend
and celebrated Baltimore Afro American Newspaper artist Thomas Stockett.
Upon
graduating Douglas High School,
Chico Johnson toured with Al Brown and His Tune Toppers. They had a hit called The Madison b/w Mo’ Madison” on (Amy Records) released on 4/4/1960. The record quickly skyrocketed up
the charts to eventually peak at #23 on Billboard and #5 on the Cashbox R&B charts.
It wouldn’t take long for Chico’s
reputation to grow as a great accompanist and side man. He was soon sought after by some of the most impressive names in local
and international entertainment. Singers Gloria Lynne, Red Prysock, Lloyd Price, Sallie Blair, Ruby Glover, Jimmy Witherspoon
and Damito Jo sought his talent. James “Biddy” Wood, along time friend, says
“Chico was one of the fine gentlemen of jazz.“
After
a 1980’s tour with saxophonist Hank Crawford, Chico returned home and resumed his musical
relationships with legendary Baltimore musicians Mickey Fields,
Dave Ross, Chico Blair, Peanut Saunderling, Marlene Ross and Danny Brown. His
professionalism and excellence garnered several awards from Bank of America for his depictions of Baltimore life on canvas, The Rosa Pryor Scholarship Fund and the Baltimore City Council
cited his contributions to the development of Jazz and Progressive music. His last input was an original music composition
“When Love Comes At Last” on singer Larzine Talley’s
Swing City CD, “Try It”.
A
former art student at MICA, Johnson planned to enroll in a music program at Coppin
State University. Though he
will not fulfill that dream he shall be remembered by many youngsters as the black Santa Claus at Mondawmin Mall where he
played piano and moonlighted as the facilities painter for the shopping complex. A lifelong member of Macedonia
Baptist Church, Chico often played piano for services and programs.
He
is survived by two sons, Edward J. Johnson, Jr, Sardoro “Chidi” Johnson, a daughter, Calla Johnson, eight step-children,
eight grand children, Vashon Conyer, Rashad Carr, Stephen Carr, Antonio Johnson, Ayana Johnson, Taisha Johnson, Edward J.
Johnson, III, Katrina Johnson, brother Winston Johnson and his wife Shirley, admirers and his best friends, artist, Bruce
Harrell and faithful companion, vocalist Deborah Johnson.
JAZZ MUSICIAN EMERGENCY FUND
Who We Help | Pledge | Donate Now
They have no pensions. They have no health insurance. They are sometimes too sick to work. They are sometimes even homeless.
They are older now, and the phone doesn't ring like it used to, making the rent impossible to pay. They are the jazz musicians
who pioneered this great art form. And they need us now.
The JMEF is committed to helping jazz professionals, especially older musicians, overcome their hard times and to help
them get back on their feet. As "freelancers," most jazz musicians do not have full-time jobs with one organization. Therefore,
they don't qualify for health insurance, pensions, or other benefits, making it next to impossible for them to receive the
proper health care they need. In addition, since most jazz clubs are barely profitable, jazz musicians are placed in poor
bargaining positions, and often play for marginal fees. This lack of income makes it extremely difficult for older musicians
to pay for their living expenses. In fact, they often go weeks without buying proper groceries and other necessities so they
can pay rent, or vice versa. Many times they are evicted and find themselves homeless with no means of support.
The Jazz Foundation of America makes emergency funds available for immediate needs. The Jazz Foundation provides jazz artists
in need with someone who can assess their problems and find solutions. Through valued partnerships with Englewood Hospital
and Medical Center, they provide much needed, free medical care. For the past ten years, Jazz Foundations' jazz musicians
have been getting hundreds of free medical care visits and operations from our network of specialists. And the Jazz
Foundation of America established a volunteer network of other caring jazz enthusiasts to provide free legal, dental, and
psychological services when needed. Look through our Who We Help page and see for yourself how these volunteers and donations
like yours are making bad situations better and reuniting many of these musicians with their music.
BALTIMORE JAZZ VENUE OF THE MONTH
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JAZZ WOMAN
FELICIA CARTER
Originally from Washington D.C., Ms. Carter’s first recording of
a standard took place in 2000, on the title track of Victor Dvoskin’s release “There’s a Small Hotel”.
In 2001, she was featured on New Legacy Jazz Band's CD “5 Months, 2 Weeks, 2 Days”. That same year, her self-produced
debut CD, “In the Pink and Songs in Blue” was released, with a sold-out show at the King of France Tavern in Annapolis,
MD. www.cdbaby.com/feliciacarter
Felicia Carter @ Sascha's 527
527 N Charles St
Baltimore, MD 21201
Phone: 410-539-8880
 
BALTIMORE JAZZ FACTOIDS
| THE CITY COLORED PARK BAND |
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| click here |
MEMBERS OF THE CITY COLORED
PARK BAND
Edward A. Prettyman,
conductor
1st row, left to right: David Johnson, Leroy Jones, Joseph Brown, Bernard
Byrd, Jr., James Dixon, Edward A. Prettyman, Carl Moore, Jimmie Duppins, Harrison Watts, Sidney Dukes, Leo Hunt; 2nd row:
William Summerville, Clarence Bright, Roy McCoy, Jimmie Tazzell, James O. Jones (assistant conductor), Medford Campbell, Thomas
Williams; 3rd row: Oscar Davenport, James C. Carter, Lawrence Holms, Lennil Mosely, Bernard Byrd, Sr., Eugene Savoy; 4th row:
George Banks, David Parham, Quentin Morgan, Charles E. Gwynn, Oliver Wilson, Edwin Whittington; 5th row: Milburn Matthews,
Alvin Larkins. Bubby Johnson, Milton Green, Blondea Garner, Rosalie White and Hubert Robinson (not shown here), were also
members of the band.
Starting a Jazz Collection
First Timer?
Starting a Jazz collection is something every well-rounded music listener considers. Unfortunately, most folks have
trouble getting started because they don't know where to begin. Do you start chronologically with Louis Armstrong or do you
jump right into the new stuff -- how about the '50's and '60's? Everyone is different, so where you begin will depend a lot
on your musical taste.
We hope the information on this page provides you with some insight on how to build your CD collection as well as discover
the essentials about the music, its players and its rich history.
There's a lot of great music out there. Take your time and have fun exploring the world of Jazz!
-- Michael Ricci (AAJ Founder & Publisher)
Featured Contents
Premiere Issue 2006/2007
Letter From the Publisher/Editor
Kevin Robinson
Larzine
Jimmy Wilson, Trumpet
Jazz Venues
PrimeTime Updates!
Jazz Legends
Jazz Profiles
Jazz School
Mission
Musicians Directory
House Resolution 57
MLK on Jazz
Jazz Organizations
Health & Fitness
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