Klarinet Archive - Posting 000062.txt from 2010/01

From: hns692@-----.com
Subj: Re: [kl] Fwd: Dick Johnson
Date: Tue, 12 Jan 2010 21:48:56 -0500


Heard him and the Artie Shaw group in the 80s in Richmond, VA. Too bad=
to=20
have lost someone so talented!

Lee Ann Hansen
Principal Eb Clarinet
First John Philip Sousa
Memorial Band
hns692@-----.com
(763) 546-0706

In a message dated 1/12/2010 7:38:53 P.M. Central Standard Time,=20
tedcasher@-----.net writes:

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Hi fellow members. I am just passing this obit on, for those who had=20
heard him play the clarinet. Dick was a monster jazz player, an exemplar=
y band=20
leader, and a student of the medium. I have lost a friend, a teacher, a=
=20
mentor, and a fellow participant in gastronomic events. He will be sorel=
y=20
missed. Luv & peace to all---Ted Casher
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Local and national jazz great, Dick Johnson, died suddenly on Jan 10, 201=
0=20
at the age of 84. Dick grew up in Brockton with his widowed mother, Berth=
a=20
and sister Rachel. Dick has countless wonderful memories of his beloved=
=20
mother and sister and credits them for his interest in music. Dick, his=
=20
sister, and neighborhood friends would often gather around while Bertha=
played=20
piano, and others would play or sing. Dick=E2=80=99s musical heritage ext=
ends to his=20
uncle, Mayhew Lake, a noted arranger and his cousin, Suzanne Lake, who=20
performed for years in musical theatre. Johnson began his musical career=
in=20
the navy band on the USS Pasadena during WWII. He credits his stint in th=
e=20
Navy, and the many talented musicians within this ship, as the impetus of=
his=20
illustrious career.=20

Following the war, Dick toured with the big bands of Charlie Spivak and=
=20
Buddy Morrow. After several years on the road, he settled in his hometown=
of=20
Brockton, Mass., where he and close friend, Lou Colombo, formed a jazz=20
sextet that lasted 10 years and a musical kinship that lasted for the res=
t of=20
his life. Beyond this collaboration, Dick formed his septet, =E2=80=9CSwi=
ng Shift=E2=80=9D,=20
which was a staple on the Boston music scene for many years.=20

Johnson enjoyed a career that included performing and/or recording with=
=20
such jazz luminaries as: Dave McKenna, Herb Pomeroy, Charlie Parker, Dizz=
y=20
Gillespie, Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Buddy Rich, and old pal, Lou Colo=
mbo.=20
He has also gained much notoriety for his recordings on Emarcy, Riverside=
,=20
and Concord Jazz labels.=20

Some of his career highlights, of which Dick was most proud, were: being=
=20
handpicked by his idol, Artie Shaw to form and lead a big band, under Art=
ie=E2=80=99
s name, which Dick headed from 1983-2006, and performing at Carnegie Hall=
=20
on several occasions throughout his career.=20

Mr. Johnson truly enjoyed a wonderful life. He was a unique person who=20
lived his passion and realized his dreams through his love of music. He=
was=20
well respected in the Jazz community and will be lovingly missed by his=
=20
contemporaries, as well as his many friends and family. =20

Dick is survived by his beloved wife of 59 years, Rose (Fuggetti) Johnson=
=20
of Brockton, son, Gary Johnson and daughter-in-law, Jane Johnson of Easto=
n,=20
Daughter, Pamela (Johnson) Sargent and son-in-law Gray Sargent of Waltham=
,=20
Grandchildren, Daniel and Sarah Johnson of Easton, and many beloved =20
nieces, nephews, cousins and in-laws. Dick was the beloved brother of the=
late =20
Rachel Johnson Smith.=20

A Remembrance Service will be held in the Conley Funeral Home 138 Belmont=
=20
Street (Rte 123) Brockton Thursday at 10 am. Visiting hours Wednesday 2-4=
&=20
6-8 pm. A Celebration of Dick=E2=80=99s life will be held at a later date=
. In lieu=20
of flowers please consider a donation in Dick=E2=80=99s name to the Leuke=
mia &=20
Lymphoma Society 9 Erie Drive Natick, MA 01760 or Alzheimer's Assoc. 311=
=20
Arsenal Street Watertown, MA 02472. For condolences and directions =20
www.conleyfuneralhome.com =20

Your E-mail and More On-the-Go. Get Windows Live Hotmail Free. Sign up=20
now. =20

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