Art Johnson

A lyrical guitarist who hasn’t achieved the reputation he deserves, Artwork Johnson includes a remarkable job application but not very much fame. He found its way to LA in 1969 and was shortly playing and documenting with a fresh group known as The Advancement including vibraphonist Lynn Blessing. Shortly he was dealing with Willie Bobo, Paul Horn, Tim Weisberg and John Klemmer, documenting with the last mentioned three. Johnson’s musical encounters went method beyond jazz including playing eccentric nation music with “Gas, Meals & Lodging,” getting highlighted on violin, mandolin and electric guitar with Pat Boone, touring with Tim Buckley (1974-75), film soundtracks, studio function, and dealing with Lena Horne, O.C. Smith, the NORTH PARK Symphony as well as Engelbert Humperdinck. Johnson, who shows jazz electric guitar at NORTH PARK State University, provides documented duo albums with pianist Duane Smith for Portable Fidelity (1984) and with pianist Joanne Grauer for ITI (1989).