24-7 SPYZ & FAMILY : JUNGLE (FOR JEF) : THE VIDEO. Jimi Hazel "Jungle (For Jef)" Interview. Reggie Washington – Rainbow Shadow Vol. 2 – Dr. Jazz. By Devon “Doc” Wendell There is no way to properly categorize the music of the late great Jef Lee Johnson.
Jef Lee possessed this uncanny impulsive creative spirit that will inspire forever. Ode to Jef Lee Johnson: The Promise of Lovolution. "When the music's happening, life is happening....
Why must we only join hands after the storm?... How true are you? Nothing else even matters. " —Jef Lee Johnson. Jef Lee Johnson a.k.a. Rainbow Crow. Esperanza Spalding, inspired by her childhood, brings Emily’s D+Evolution to Theater of Living Arts – WRITTEN BY FERN BRODKIN For Digital First Media Grammy Award–winning bassist, vocalist and composer Esperanza Spalding has already established herself as one of the most exciting and innovative jazz artists to emerge in the last decade.
Spalding is reinventing herself with an entirely new production, unlike anything that she has done – well, at least not since childhood. Emily’s D+Evolution incorporates theater, poetry and movement with music for a type of performance art that she was inspired to perform as a child. I’ve been a fan of Spalding’s music for several years. My Friend, Jef Lee Johnson. I can’t remember the last time I had such a profound reaction to a guitar player than when I heard Jef Lee Johnson in 2010.
Not in 30 years or more had a fellow guitarist made me feel like I had discovered the musical Holy Grail. Yes, I’d had lesser seismic stirrings as a kid upon hearing, Benson, Wes and Pat Martino, …but—this was the musical motherlode! What struck me most as I delved into the world of Jef Lee Johnson, the vast body of work that is his musical legacy, is that it seemed limitless in its embodiment of all things Black Music.
Much like the aesthetic itself, its extentions reached in and firmly gripped classic and acid rock, while titillating other styles as the free-spirited composer saw fit. Remembering Jef Lee Johnson in Steel City tribute - Entertainment. By Walter Ault21st Century Media News Service One of the most beloved Philadelphia area musicians/songwriters was guitar master Jef Lee Johnson, the humble gentleman who thrilled audiences and gained tremendous respect from fellow musicians during his years as an entertainer.
The list of the musical artists Johnson influenced and played with, either onstage or in the recording studio, is impressive indeed. Jef Lee Johnson tribute show, Wednesday at Underground Arts. Jef Lee Johnson, the Philadelphia guitarist who played with everyone from McCoy Tyner to Aretha Franklin to Mariah Carey, died in January at age 54.
My obituary of the Germantown-raised monster of a musican, who did studio sessions with George Duke, Jeff Beck, Roberta Flack, Stanley Clarke, Erykah Badu. Esperanza Spalding and many more - and was once a member of The World's Most Dangerous Band, on Late Night with David Letterman - is here. On Wednesday, Rainbow Crow: A Tribute to Jef Lee Johnson will take place at Underground Arts on Callowhill Street featuring many of Johnson Philly-based musical cohorts, including Tim Motzer, Chico Huff, Charlie Patierno, Erik Johnson and Venissa Santi.
Shadow Crow Review. Jef Lee Johnson, Magic Intact Saturday, 23 February 2013 18:16 | Written by Frédéric Goaty Thus, tonight’s winter Sons d’Hiver, Jef Lee Johnson aka Rainbow Crow was no longer ours.
Jef Lee Johnson of Soultronics Dies. Jef lee johnson- feel so fine. The Nine Lives of Jef Lee Johnson. Jef Lee Johnson Memorial. Lili Anel at the Jef Lee Johnson Memorial. Jef Lee Johnson: the Man, the Music, the Genius. (Click the right and left arrows above to navigate the videos.)
Musicians, friends and family came together on February 18, 2013 at Cedar Park Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia to honor the legacy of virtuoso guitarist Jef Lee Johnson. The event was hosted by the Musician’s Fellowship under the direction of Steve Green. The memorial featured performances by musicians including Gerald Veasley, Cedric Napolean, James Poyser, Steve Green, Lili Anel, Herb Smith, Mike Davis, Darryl Burgie, Charlie Patierno, Chico Huff, Karl McNeill Jr, Leon Jordan, Jr., Ronda Lancaster, Jay Davidson, Adam Guth, Doc Gibbs, Robert Strother, Jr., Frank “Squirrel” Williams, Kim Y.
Davis, Ishmael Wilburn, Brett Jolly and many others. WRTI’s Warren Cooper was the master of ceremonies. CharliePatierno: RIP Jef Lee Johnson. Can barely... Tribute to Jef Lee Johnson to Sons Winter February 22. Free Form Funky Freqs at Festival Sons d'Hiver 2013. JPB in concert, In memory of Jeff Lee Johnson, Feb. 22. 2013 Paris. Jeff Lee Johnsons music is a gleaming example of a guitarist who moved seamlessly through the traditions of the blues, r&b jazz and freeform treating them all as one extended language yet housing those ideas cleverly in a pop structure format that allowed it to travel well.
Jeff Lee’s music carried the sonic signifiers that ones ear was accustom to if you were aware of the rich arch of important American music. One could hear Watt stacks, Texas Blues, Memphis blues , Prince, Wes Montgomery, Hendrix with a twinge of the rural heartland. Yet he still possessed that wide perspective that stretched from the chaotic surges, reminiscent of Sonny Sharrock superimposed over verses filled with playful, bitter, sweet irony,” “It got thumbs up, It got five stars, It got that nod now, Ev’rybody wants one” ” It ain’t Hard for you, You just sail on through”.
His chordal movements had a sentimental touch to them, yet stayed firm and never fell into the syrup bowl. His music will undoubtable live on. Any Major Dude With Half A Heart. It was carnage in January, as far as music deaths went.
Strangely, none of the 30-odd new arrivals in music heaven (or hell) were big headline deaths. Of course, Patti Page, who died on the first day of the new year, and Patty Andrews, the last surviving Andrews Sister who passed away on the second-last day of the month, were household names back in the day, but neither passing caused much of a stir. I suppose when you are 85 and 94, your deaths are sort of expected. For funk fans, the deaths of Ohio Players singer Leroy “Sugarfoot” Bonner and Mandrill’s Lou Wilson was big news. And fans of eclectic music that is rooted in blues will mourn the passing of Jef Lee Johnson, at only 54, and the quite remarkable Precious Bryant (google her story). Claude Nobs, the founder of the Montreux Jazz Festival, died on January 10, after an 11-day come caused by a ski accident.
Patti Page, 85, pop singer, on January 1Patti Page – How Much Is That Doggie In The Window (1953) GET IT! Previous In Memoriams. Guitarist Jef Lee Johnson died. Biberonné à John Coltrane, Vallida Fudge ou encore Sergio Mendes ou Jimi Hendrix, ce vétéran du David Letterman Band aura été de toutes les expériences. Entre des collaborations avec Aretha Franklin, Eryka Badu, Marcus Miller, Aretha Franklin ou encore The Roots, le guitariste Jef Lee Johnson aura balayé tout le spectre de la musique.
Il est mort ce 28 janvier 2013 à 54 ans. Ses proches n'ont pas précisé les circonstances de sa disparition. On apprend grâce au Philadelphia City Newspaper que le guitariste (originaire de Philly) avait appris la guitare en jouant avec le géant du jazz McCoy Tyner. Il a aussi été un des membres importants de The Soultronics, un groupe polymorphe issu de The Roots, avec le pianiste James Poyser ou le bassiste Pino Palladino, entre autres.
Magazine. The UFO Jef Lee Johnson - VIDEO OF THE DAY - News. Guitarist Jef Lee Johnson Passes Away at 54. Longtime top session guitarist Jef Lee Johnson passed away earlier this week at the age of 54. Johnson started his career playing gospel music but a move to New York from Philadelphia opened doors for him leading to gigs with, amongst others, Ronald Shannon Jackson's Decoding Society and McCoy Tyner. His first recording was on violinist John Blake's Twinkling of an Eye in 1995 and his work with Blake gave way to further work with scores of big name acts including Billy Joel, Teddy Pendergrass, George Duke, The Roots, Melody Gardot, Aretha Franklin, Al Jarreau and Esperanza Spalding. The mid 1980s also saw Johnson serving a brief stint as lead guitarist in Paul Shaffer's band on Late Night with David Letterman.
Johnson also recorded a number of albums as a leader, starting with 1995's Blue and ending in 2009's Bob Dylan tribute, The Zimmerman Shadow. RIP Jef Lee Johnson. Mike (Neer) thanks so much for posting this sad but important news, and the resp to my PM on Jef. This is from my buddy Calvin Weston who played with Jef often in an adjunct to his Freeform Funky Freqs band : “I spoke to Jef's sister Joanne and she confirmed that guitarist and composer Jef Lee Johnson died last night at Roxborough Memorial Hospital in Philadelphia from pneumonia and complications of diabetes.
He was 54 years old. I will provide details as I get them as to funeral arrangements. Very sad day for Philly and for music.” I very sadly never met Jef but have known many of his musical associates and followed and been deeply moved, touched and inspired by his playing and the multi faceted nature of his talent, and therefore the heart it expressed.
(34) Today I awoke to sad news. Jef Lee Johnson one of the MOST AMAZING GUITARIST I EVER KNEW has passed. I was just talking with Joe Kelley last night about my buddy Jef Lee Johnson and our fun times on the road with D'Angelo in 2000 when he sub'd for Sp. Jef Lee Johnson Rememberance - Upper Room with Joe Kelley & Gi Dussault Radio. R.I.P. Soulquarian guitarist Jef Lee Johnson, Guitarist Jef Lee Johnson Dies at 54. Guitarist, singer and songwriter Jef Lee Johnson died Monday, Jan. 28, at Philadelphia’s Roxborough Memorial Hospital due to complications from pneumonia and diabetes. He was 54. Johnson was born in Philadelphia and began his career playing gospel music there in the 1970s, but he gained recognition upon moving to New York, where he played in drummer Ronald Shannon Jackson’s group Decoding Society, as well as with McCoy Tyner and others.
He first recorded on violinist John Blake’s 1985 album Twinkling of an Eye and subsequently became an oft-employed session player. RIP, Philadelphia guitarist Jef Lee Johnson. Dan DeLuca, Inquirer Music Critic Posted: Wednesday, January 30, 2013, 10:36 AM Philadelphia guitarist Jef Lee Johnson died on Monday night at Roxborough Memorial Hospital. JEF LEE JOHNSON #RIP - Mr.Mass™ Legendary Philly Guitarist Jef Lee Johnson Dies. Jef Lee Johnson passed away...... JEFF LEE JOHNSON left us this January 28, 2013. R.I.P. versatile Philly guitarist Jef Lee Johnson. Jef Lee Johnson, 54, underground Philly jazz legend. Homenaje improvisado a jef lee johnson (a.k.a. rainbow crow) Jef Lee Johnson Rememberance - Upper Room with Joe Kelley & Gi Dussault Radio. To Jef Lee Johnson from Yenbanwa. Jef Lee Johnson, R.I.P.
THE DREAM OF OPAQUE JEF LEE JOHNSON: