Otis Johnson (musician)

Otis Johnson (January 13, 1908 – February 28, 1994) was an American jazz trumpeter.

Life

Johnson was born on January 13, 1908 (some records have 1910) in Richmond, Virginia. He began his career in the late 1920s, working with Gene Rodgers, Henri Saparo, Eugene Kennedy, and Charlie Skeete. In 1929 he joined Luis Russell's band, and rejoined Kennedy's group before working with Benny Carter in 1934. He played with Charlie Turner and Willie Bryant in the mid-1930s, then with Louis Armstrong and Don Redman toward the end of the decade.

Military service

Johnson joined the 369th Coast Artillery of the New York Army National Guard on December 30, 1940, and separated on October 13, 1945, achieving the rank of T/4. He never returned to active performance after leaving the military.

Death

Johnson died on February 28, 1994.

References

Eugene Chadbourne, [ Otis Johnson] at Allmusic

Sources

1908 births

1994 deaths

20th-century American musicians

20th-century trumpeters

American jazz trumpeters

American male trumpeters

Musicians from Richmond, Virginia

New York National Guard personnel

Jazz musicians from Virginia

20th-century American male musicians

American male jazz musicians

United States Army personnel of World War II

United States Army non-commissioned officers