![]() ![]() Another hit Johnson penned was "Did You See Jackie Robinson Hit that Ball?" recorded on Decca in 1949. Other chart-toppers included "Fine Brown Frame," "Let's Beat Out Some Love," and "Baby Don't You Cry." In 1945, with Ella providing the vocals, Johnson recorded one of his most enduring hits, "Since I Fell For You." The song, now considered a classic, has been covered by many artists, including singer Lenny Welch, who went to the top of the charts with his doo-wop version of the song in 1963. In 1944, "When My Man Comes Home" went to number one on the national charts. He composed a number of hits, many sung by Ella. Johnson also encountered success offstage with his recordings. Johnson and company performed there for standing-room only crowds until 1958. In 1946 The Buddy Johnson Orchestra landed a gig as one of the house bands at New York's famed Savoy Ballroom. The group's popularity continued to grow. Johnson" with Ella on vocals, was evocative of this new sound. According to the Big Bands Database, "In an annual poll conducted by the Pittsburgh Courier, Buddy was, because of his continuous bookings, dubbed 'King Of The One-Nighters.'" Following the war, Johnson's sound began to evolve into the emerging R&B sound. Johnson instead turned for inspiration to the blues, prompting many reviewers to label his group a "jump blues band" or a "New York blues band." The sound was widely popular and Johnson and his group were in demand throughout the country, especially the south. At the time he formed his band, other big bandleaders were exploring bebop and swing and creating new musical forms. His cut his first record for the label late that same year and continued making records for them through 1952. In New York, Johnson formed The Buddy Johnson Orchestra in 1939 and promptly landed a recording deal with Decca Records. Soon after returning from a tour of Europe with the Cotton Club Revue, he got his chance. ![]() With that group he traveled extensively, honing his talents and preparing to launch his own band. Johnson began performing with several bands including the famed Cotton Club Revue out of New York City. Buddy took up the piano when he was just four years old and, according to All Music Guide, "although he specialized professionally in tasty R&B, classical music remained one of his passions." By the time he graduated from Mayo High School in Darlington County, South Carolina, he had evolved into a talented musician. In addition to his sister, Ella, he had a brother, Hiram, who would also go into the music industry as a band manager. Johnson was born Woodrow Wilson Johnson on January 10, 1915, in Darlington, South Carolina. Since his 1977 death, a number of compilation albums of his work have been released. According to the Big Bands Database, " was one of the important links between the Rhythm and Blues style and the swing era." He penned a number of chart-topping songs and recorded extensively with Decca Records, Mercury, and Roulette. It was a popular sound that helped pave the way for rhythm and blues. With up to 17 members-including Johnson's sister, Ella, as vocalist-the group was a favorite at New York's famed Savoy Ballroom in the 1940s and 1950s, prompting Johnson to be nicknamed "King of the Savoy." As composer and arranger, Johnson helped shape the distinctive sound of his band, fusing big band jazz with blues. Pianist Buddy Johnson enjoyed the peak of his musical career as the leader of his self-named big band, The Buddy Johnson Orchestra. ![]() Born Woodrow Wilson Johnson on January 10, 1915, in Darlington, SC died on February 9, 1977. ![]()
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