February 4th, 2008
Hello Jazz Friends,
Welcome back to the jazz music marketing blog. Today’s post is of a personal nature. I’m mourning the loss of Houston’s legendary jazz musician and educator, Conrad O. Johnson.
Conrad will be missed by us all. For those who don’t know this great man, he was inspiration to every jazz musician of Houston and the entire jazz world.
I’m forever grateful to “Prof” for his diligence, dedication, and passion for teaching this beautiful art form. I remember attending his improvisation classes while in high school at Houston Community College every Monday. Prof Johnson would often give me free lessons when I didn’t have the money to pay for them. I would take the bus to his house in the Third Ward area of Houston from school and he would take me back home after lessons which was quite a distance from where he lived. Talk about dedication! He is truly responsible for my development. This is a man that understood the jazz tradition and not only played it, but knew how to impart his wisdom and experience to the youth. Conrad received offers from both Duke and Basie to travel on the road, but he was dedicated to raising his family and teaching jazz to young people. The jazz community of Houston is so fortunate for his decision.
It saddens me to see that our jazz elders don’t receive the appreciation that’s deserved until reaching senior citizenship or close to death. I’m encouraging the younger jazz musicians studying in schools to step outside of the walls of the classroom and seek out our living legends. There’s so much more to learn about jazz music than studying out of pattern and transcription books. This music is an aural and oral tradition. If it wasn’t for Conrad’s guidance over the years and the opportunity to play in his big band,”The Big Blue Sound”, I wouldn’t be where I am today.
Prof Johnson always stressed the importance of the blues as the cornerstone of jazz music. If you take the blues and the dance element out of jazz, what can you call it? I know my feelings are shared amongst others that had the chance to study under him.
For those of you that don’t know who this great legend of jazz is, here’s an article from the Texas Music Educator’s Association:
This past Friday, Conrad was paid tribute, unfortunately the last time, by his former Kashmere alumni band students at Houston’s historical Kashmere High School. I really regret I missed this event. Conrad has made Kashmere High School an historical landmark. From 1969 through 1977, the band won 42 of 46 local, regional and national competitions. The bands from these periods would often wipe out the college bands.
Here’s an audio feature from NPR telling the story of Conrad and the Kashmere Stage Band:
I’m hoping that this post will bring more awareness to the younger generation of jazz musicians to be more mindful of the contributions and sacrifices of our elder statesmen. Read more books, listen to interviews, study discographies, and capture the stories of these great men and women who paved a solid path for us.
I love you Conrad Johnson and I know that God has you in his arms forever. Thanks for opening the doors to the world of music to me and the other great musicians you’ve impacted the lives of throughout the years.
Peace and Keep Swinging!
Andre L. Hayward
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