WELCOME TO....
YOUR MAJESTY'S PLACE
IT'S JAZZICALLY DELICIOUS...

THE LEGACY CONTINUES....
GEORGE V JOHNSON JR, writes lyrics about complex things: personal experiences, love, history, family, home, heaven and most of all Jazz! Phrases turn, emotions connect, melodies soar. It's a fuel that burns full-throttle, ignited by the heat of his soulful voice and the power and passion of his performance. You sing along even though you've never heard the tune before. George writes from a perspective of distances, of interludes between lovers and lives and the roads that lead from small towns to big cities.

GVJ & JM - Jazz Mobile @ Grants Tomb NYC, Live NPR Coast to Coast Radio Broadcast w/Harold Mabern-piano, Todd Coolman-bass, Eddie Gladden-drums

"The One and Only "GEORGE V JOHNSON JR"~~~~James Moody

DURING THE 10 YEAR SPAN JAMES MOODY PRESENTED GEORGE V JOHNSON JR ON OVER A DOZEN LIVE NPR COAST TO COAST BROADCAST AS WELL AS TELEVISION AND HE TOP CLUBS IN NYC AND THE EASTCOAST. WHERE EVER THEY PLAYED JAZZ FANS WAITED IN LONG LINES, SOMETIMES AROUND THE CORNER TO HEAR THE GREAT JAMES MOODY.

He was also a favorite of LOU DONALDSON. Johnson says, playing with Donaldson Lou was like singing with Charlie Parker. He was able to sing all his "BIRD" lyrics while Donaldson would play along while he sang the solo's note for note. Being on stage with Lou Donaldson was one of the greatest feelings you could imagine. They first met in 1975 at the Pigfoot Jazz Club located in Washington DC when Donaldson dropped by to see longtime freind and pianist John Malachi. It was there where they both met and played together on "NOW"S THE TIME". Whenever George shows up at his concerts unannounced, Lou doesn't hesitate to bring him up to sing.

Ladies and gentlemen, we're gonna bring up a young man from Washington DC, George V Johnson Jr. A great, soulful, bebop singer. My opinion one of the best in America. He's even written lyrics to my solo on the MAMBO INN! This is a rare treat. Me and Him! We're gonna feature him on a Charles Christopher Parker tune "My Little Suede Shoes" with original lyrics. In fact, he's written lyrics to over 30 of Bird's classic compositions. If you have any questions give me a call~~~~~ LOU DONALDSON
Excerpts from live concert 2007 @ Jazz Mobile, Harlem NYC

DON WILLIAMSON - ALL ABOUT JAZZ
Just when you wonder what will happen to the art of vocalese, other than its sustenance by a few artists like Kurt Elling, George V. Johnson, Jr. sneaks onto the scene with his own self-produced CD that begs for attention. And deservedly so. A student of legendary vocalese singer Eddie Jefferson, Johnson for whatever reason has waited twenty-something years to come out of his cocoon and spread his wings. A resident of south Jersey, and no doubt known as a singer only within the East Coast environs, Johnson has taken the initiative to record, produce and market his own CD, “Next In Line,” proving the value of the Internet to spread the message about deserving artists.

INNOVATOR - LYRICIST, HOOFER, FOUNDING FATHER OF VOCALESE
Eddie Jefferson himself kicks off “Next In Line” with an 18-second sound bite that introduces Johnson during a night of singing in 1977 as Johnson was to take over the thread of vocalese thought and melody Jefferson established. Now, Johnson figuratively is picking up that thread again with a CD mostly of jazz standards that Johnson put to words. Fittingly, Johnson pays tribute to the Eddie Jefferson style, right down to employing a swinging alto saxophonist, Arnold Sterling, who fills, and in some respects enlarges, the Richie Cole role . Read more: http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/article.php?id=5811

EDDIE JEFFERSON (heard in the opening seconds of the disc) proclaiming his protege' George V. Johnson as the successor to the throne. HE'S NEXT IN LINE, NEXT IN LINE! On this CD, Johnson sings with exuberance on a number of varied standards, including tunes by Charlie Parker, Jimmy Heath, and Miles Davis. The original “Opening Night” laments the lack of recognition that the major record companies give to serious aspiring jazz artists, and will strike a chord with every jazz musician that has ever solcited a record company in hopes of a record deal. Johnson has a smooth, graceful, and soulful style, and is supported very well in this regard by bandmates that can groove alongside, and underneath him. George V. Johnson shows us on Next In Line that he is a man dedicated to the art of song and singing, bringing forth both tradition and intuition. The promise first heard over twenty years ago is finally seeing the light of day, as Johnson is can be heard scatin' and singin' the night away. It's as if he was singing the world a lullaby; giving it everything he's got, and asking nothing in return. George V. Johnson Jr. The “V” is for Vocalese~~~~~Flibbert J Goosty, All About Jazz

THIS I DIG OF YOU (JAZZIN ROUND) Lyrics by: George V Johnson Jr

DOUG LAWRENCE, featured saxophonist LIVE @ JAZZ INN. Composer of "TOMMIE & TILLIE aka LOVELY STORY" Lyric by George V Johnson Jr were written 30 mins before the live session @ The Jazz InN. LAWRENCE is a talented instrumentalist, musical director, conductor, bandleader and master-class clinician who has performed and recorded with such diverse artists as Benny Goodman, Aretha Franklin, Tony Bennett, Ray Charles, Sarah Vaughan, Stevie Wonder, and the 18-time Grammy Winning World Famous Count Basie Orchestra, with whom Doug presently tours the world playing lead tenor sax.

Johnson has written and performs Original Lyrics to over 40 Hank Mobley's tunes: Hank's Symphony, Soul Station, Dig Dis, No Room For Squares, East of The Village, This I Dig of You, Take Your Pick, Three Way Split, Split Feelings, Up A Step, Work Out, The Baptist Beat, My Groove Your Move, Soft Impressions, Hank's Waltz, Chain Reaction, Roll Call, Syrup & Biscuits, Snappin Out, Comin' Back, The Feelings Good, Uh Huh, Up Over and Out, Looking East, Cute N' Pretty, Third Time Around, Bossa For Baby, Ballin, Madeline, No More Goodbyes, The Break Through, Hank's Other Bag, Infra Rae, Straight NoFilter . . . and more. Commissioned by Second Floor Music to write lyrics to Hank Mobley's Compositions

FEB 2, 2006 THE EAGLE AMERICAN UNIVERSITY

Former Washington D.C. bus driver & New Jersey Train Conductor sings jazz, vocalese. By BEN LOZOVSKI
Imagine listening to a seasoned jazz musician rip into a bebop solo so sizzling and smooth it makes your senses tingle. Close your eyes and play along. Try and picture the sweat bouncing off the performer like the notes that leap through the air. See if you can hear the mesmerizing melodies go up and down, bringing you through joy and sadness, taking your emotions on a sensory experience unlike any other. Now picture that musician and his beloved instrument: His voice! THAT'S THE ART OF VOCALESE ! Working as a performer, a D.C. Metrobus driver and a New Jersey train conductor at different times throughout his life, Johnson's latest work has taken the form of pedagogy. He has become a teacher and mentor to both aspiring and established vocalists from around the area, and most recently he has lent his years of experience and talent to AMERICAN UNIVERSITY, leading the AU jazz vocal ensemble. Read more: www.theeagleonline.com/news/2006/02/02/TheScene/



QUINCY TROUPE - While performing at Minton's Playhouse I hung out with Quincy Troupe the entire evening talking about Miles Davis. Early that evening we met at John Hicks going home celebration. One of the best books I ever read. It changed my whole perspective on people, music and life. Kudos to Quincy! Thanks for sharing those beautiful stories...

THINKING IN JAZZ
Paul F. Berliner has written a monumental book in at least two senses: in its sheer length (more than 500 pages of text and 250 pages of musical examples) and in the thoroughness with which he addresses his topic. His primary concern is the learning process of the jazz musician. He notes that, "without the aid of formal educational institutions or instruction" (6), many musicians amass a great deal of musical technical knowledge and develop exceptional ...(several passages by George V Johnson Jr)

www.secondfloormusic.com
Jazz Phrasing is a perfect workbook for all jazz vocalists. It covers: Specific Rhythm Phrasing – interpreting 8th notes, specific rhythm figures; The accompanying CD lets you: compare transcriptions to recorded examples, listen to vocal and instrumental examples, sing along with the rhythm section, create backgrounds and analyze arrangements. (includes lyrics by Geo V Johnson Jr)CoolChaser