Ella Johnson
Ella Johnson (born June 22, 1923 in Darlington (South Carolina) , † February 16, 2004 in New York City ) was an American rhythm and blues and jazz singer .
Live and act
Ella Johnson performed in New York as a teenager with her brother, the pianist Buddy Johnson , who led a successful band in the Savoy Ballroom . In 1940 she had her first hit with the Johnson Orchestra with the song " Please, Mr. Johnson ". Other successful songs were “ Did You See Jackie Robinson Hit That Ball? "," When My Man Comes Home "and" Hittin 'On Me ". Her recording of " Since I Fell For You ", a composition by her brother in 1945, eventually made the song a jazz standard . In the 1940s, recordings were made with the Johnson Orchestra for Decca Records (" Ain'tcha Got Me Where You Want Me ").
She continued to perform with her brother until the 1960s; in the 1950s she tried a solo career with recordings for labels such as Wing and Mercury Records . In 1992 she received the Pioneer Award from the Rhythm and Blues Foundation . She died in New York in 2004 at the age of 86 .
According to Allmusic , it was mainly her ballads and torch songs that made Ella Johnson's singing stand out, although she had her hits mostly with up-tempo numbers.
Discographic notes
- Buddy Johnson Orchestra: Rockin 'n' Rollin 'Featuring Ella Johnson (Collectables)
- Buddy Johnson Orchestra: Gotta Go Upside .. (Bandstand)
- Swing Me (Mercury / Verve, 1956)
- Buddy Johnson Orchestra: Jukebox Hits: 1940-1951 (Acrobat)
- Say Ella (Juke Box, 1983)
- Buddy and Ella Johnson - 1953-1963 ( Bear Family Records , 4-CD set)
Web links
swell
- ^ Staff report (March 20, 2004). Ella Johnson, 86, singer in jazz bands. New York Times
| personal data | |
|---|---|
| SURNAME | Johnson, Ella |
| BRIEF DESCRIPTION | American rhythm and blues and jazz singer |
| DATE OF BIRTH | June 22, 1923 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH | Darlington, South Carolina |
| DATE OF DEATH | February 16, 2004 |
| Place of death | new York |