Don Johnson Big Band

Don Johnson Big Band

Don Johnson Big Band is a Finnish hip hop group from Helsinki, formed in the late 1990s. Their music blends influences from a variety of genres such as jazz and electronic music.

History

The name "Don Johnson Big Band" comes from the actor Don Johnson in the series Miami Vice. It was invented as a joke when the band couldn't think of any other name.

Members

Don Johnson Big Band consists of four people: Tommy Lindgren (vocals), Kari Saarilahti (guitar), Johannes Laiho (keyboards) and Pekka Mikkonen (horns). Despite their name, they are not a big band, but instead a mix between rap, hip hop, techno, jazz, blues and rock. Regular featuring artists on DJBB gigs and albums are Juuso Hannukainen (percussion), Tero Rantanen (percussion), Emma Salokoski (vocals), and Teppo Mäkynen (turntables).

Discography

Albums

• Support de Microphones (2000)
• Breaking Daylight (2003)
• Don Johnson Big Band (2006)
• Records Are Forever (2009)

Singles

Year	Title	Chart positions		Album
		Peak position on Finnish Singles Chart	Weeks on chart
2003	"One MC, One Delay"	2	19	Breaking Daylight
	"Jah Jah Blow Job"	4	6
2006	"Road"	1	5	Don Johnson Big Band
	"Busy Relaxin'"	12	2
2009	"L.L.H."	6	2	Records Are Forever

Trivia

• Lindgren, Saarilahti and Laiho are old high school friends. Mikkonen joined in later.

• Their 2009 album includes a song dedicated to Usain Bolt, titled Running Man.

External links

• The Official Don Johnson Big Band Website
• The Official Don Johnson Big Band Webshop (Worldwide)
• The Official Microsite of "Breaking Daylight" (Album, 2003)
• The Official Microsite of "Don Johnson Big Band" (Album, 2006)
• The Official Microsite of "Records Are Forever" (Album, 2009)
• Don Johnson Big Band on YouTube.com
• Don Johnson Big Band on Twitter.com