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Birth
On this day, in New Brunswick New Jersey, a forgotten music legend was born. His name is James Price Johnson, child to William H. Johnson and Josephine Johnson. -
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Childhood
1898, Johnson’s mother acquired a piano and began to teach him how to play. At the age of 8, the family moved to Jersey City where he was exposed to music even more. -
Growth/recognition
He was exposed to music even more, specifically ragtime strains. He then played what he heard throughout the day at home and his neighbor heard and hired him. The family then moved to San Juan Hill in 1908 where Johnson was trained under Charlie Cherry(ragtime pianist). Later on, he was receiving bigger job offers. -
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Accomplishments
In 1917, he began to record piano rolls for record labels such as Perfect, Aeolian, and Artempo. In the early 1920s, he began to produce and record musicals. -
Biggest hit
In 1923, Johnson produced a musical which gave way for the song, “Old Fashioned Love” to be introduced which led him to his biggest hit, “The Charelston” -
Complications/Life Changing
He had a total of 19 strokes throughout his life time. The first one was in August 1940. The strokes caused him to not be able to perform as well as before the strokes. -
legacy
Johnson transformed music during the Harlem Renaissance
Recorded over 400 piano slides
Composed eleven musicals
Wrote more than 250 pieces of music -
Death
Died after his last lethal stroke