Howard Johnson

An adept tuba innovator, baritone saxophonist, and multi-instrumentalist, Howard Johnson was a versatile performer whose career straddled avant-garde jazz, blues, and rock. Arriving in New York in the 1960s, Johnson worked with Charles Mingus, McCoy Tyner, Gil Evans, Charlie Haden, and the Creative Music Studio. He also formed a lasting association with blues artist Taj Mahal, and performed with artists from across the musical spectrum, including Paul Simon, Chaka Khan, the Band, and as a member of the Saturday Night Live Band. As a leader, he recorded with his all-tuba sextet Gravity, releasing albums like 1995's Gravity!!!, 1998's Right Now, and 2017's Testimony. Johnson died on January 11, 2021 at his home in Harlem, New York. He was 79 years old.