Howard Lewis Johnson (August 7, 1941 – January 11, 2021) was an American jazz musician, known mainly for his work on tuba and baritone saxophone, although he also played the bass clarinet, trumpet, and other reed instruments. He is known to have expanded the tuba’s known capacities in jazz.

Johnson was known for his extensive work as a sideman, notably with George Gruntz, Hank Crawford, and Gil Evans. As a leader, he fronted the tuba ensemble Gravity and released three albums during the 1990s for Verve Records; the first Arrival, was a tribute to Pharoah Sanders.

Biography

Howard Lewis Johnson was born on August 7, 1941 in Montgomery, Alabama, United States, but from the age of two was raised in Massillon, Ohio. A self-taught musician, he began playing baritone saxophone and tuba while still in high school.

In the 1960s he worked with Charles Mingus, Hank Crawford, Rahsaan Roland Kirk, Archie Shepp,

Johnson led three tuba bands, collaborated with Tomasz Stańko, Substructure, Tuba Libre, and Gravity. He has recorded frequently. In 1981, he performed at the Woodstock Jazz Festival, held in celebration of the tenth anniversary of the Creative Music Studio. He had a minor role in the 1983 film Eddie and the Cruisers as Wendell's replacement. He has also appeared in episodes of Matlock and Hill Street Blues. In 1984, he appeared as part of the Gil Evans Orchestra, accompanying Jaco Pastorius at the Live Under the Sky festival in Japan.

Johnson played saxophone on The Muddy Waters Woodstock Album (1975) with Levon Helm, Garth Hudson, Paul Butterfield, Bob Margolin and Pinetop Perkins.

Johnson accompanied James Taylor in a performance of "Jelly Man Kelly" on Sesame Street in 1983, and also on tin whistle when Taylor sings to Oscar the Grouch.

Personal life and death

Johnson was father to David and Nedra. David (1964–2009) was an actor in New York, and lived in Brooklyn. Nedra is a blues singer and musician. Johnson died on January 11, 2021, "in his New York home".

Discography

thumb|Howard Johnson with [[Pharoah Sanders (2013)]]

As leader

  • Arrival: A Pharoah Sanders Tribute (Verve, 1994)
  • Gravity!!! (Verve, 1996)