Klarinet Archive - Posting 000063.txt from 2010/01

From: kurtheisig@-----.net
Subj: Re: [kl] Fwd: Dick Johnson
Date: Tue, 12 Jan 2010 21:50:50 -0500

Ted,

I am sorry to hear about the passing of Dick Johnson.=20

When I was a kid in the early ' 60's, at Whitman-Hanson Regional HS, next t=
o Brockton, the big heroes we kids looked up to were Dick and my teacher Al=
Anthony. We young players would practice after school, and in breaks one o=
f the older kids would tell us lots of stories of how good Dick was.=20

Dick also did the Lyricon demo tape from the ' 70's.

I know you two were close and I am sorry for your loss.

Kurt

-----Original Message-----
>From: tedcasher@-----.net
>Sent: Jan 12, 2010 5:38 PM
>To: klarinet <klarinet@-----.org>
>Subject: [kl] Fwd: Dick Johnson
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>Hi fellow members. I am just passing this obit on, for those who had hear=
d him play the clarinet. Dick was a monster jazz player, an exemplary band=
leader, and a student of the medium. I have lost a friend, a teacher, a m=
entor, and a fellow participant in gastronomic events. He will be sorely m=
issed. Luv & peace to all---Ted Casher
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>Local and national jazz great, Dick Johnson, died suddenly on Jan 10, 2010=
at the age of 84. Dick grew up in Brockton with his widowed mother, Bertha=
and sister Rachel. Dick has countless wonderful memories of his beloved mo=
ther and sister and credits them for his interest in music. Dick, his siste=
r, and neighborhood friends would often gather around while Bertha played p=
iano, and others would play or sing. Dick=E2=80=99s musical heritage extend=
s to his uncle, Mayhew Lake, a noted arranger and his cousin, Suzanne Lake,=
who performed for years in musical theatre. Johnson began his musical care=
er in the navy band on the USS Pasadena during WWII. He credits his stint i=
n the Navy, and the many talented musicians within this ship, as the impetu=
s of his illustrious career.=20
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>Following the war, Dick toured with the big bands of Charlie Spivak and Bu=
ddy Morrow. After several years on the road, he settled in his hometown of =
Brockton, Mass., where he and close friend, Lou Colombo, formed a jazz sext=
et that lasted 10 years and a musical kinship that lasted for the rest of h=
is life. Beyond this collaboration, Dick formed his septet, =E2=80=9CSwing =
Shift=E2=80=9D, which was a staple on the Boston music scene for many years=
.=20
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>Johnson enjoyed a career that included performing and/or recording with su=
ch jazz luminaries as: Dave McKenna, Herb Pomeroy, Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gi=
llespie, Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Buddy Rich, and old pal, Lou Colombo.=
He has also gained much notoriety for his recordings on Emarcy, Riverside,=
and Concord Jazz labels.=20
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>Some of his career highlights, of which Dick was most proud, were: being h=
andpicked by his idol, Artie Shaw to form and lead a big band, under Artie=
=E2=80=99s name, which Dick headed from 1983-2006, and performing at Carneg=
ie Hall on several occasions throughout his career.=20
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>Mr. Johnson truly enjoyed a wonderful life. He was a unique person who liv=
ed his passion and realized his dreams through his love of music. He was we=
ll respected in the Jazz community and will be lovingly missed by his conte=
mporaries, as well as his many friends and family.=20
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>Dick is survived by his beloved wife of 59 years, Rose (Fuggetti) Johnson =
of Brockton, son, Gary Johnson and daughter-in-law, Jane Johnson of Easton,=
Daughter, Pamela (Johnson) Sargent and son-in-law Gray Sargent of Waltham,=
Grandchildren, Daniel and Sarah Johnson of Easton, and many beloved nieces=
, nephews, cousins and in-laws. Dick was the beloved brother of the late Ra=
chel Johnson Smith.=20
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>A Remembrance Service will be held in the Conley Funeral Home 138 Belmont =
Street (Rte 123) Brockton Thursday at 10 am. Visiting hours Wednesday 2-4 &=
6-8 pm. A Celebration of Dick=E2=80=99s life will be held at a later date.=
In lieu of flowers please consider a donation in Dick=E2=80=99s name to th=
e Leukemia & Lymphoma Society 9 Erie Drive Natick, MA 01760 or Alzheimer's =
Assoc. 311 Arsenal Street Watertown, MA 02472. For condolences and directio=
ns www.conleyfuneralhome.com=20
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>Your E-mail and More On-the-Go. Get Windows Live Hotmail Free. Sign up now=
.=20
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