New Orleans music community mourns loss of two legends
12th October 2015 · 0 Comments
By Geraldine Wyckoff
Contributing Writer
Joseph “Smokey” Johnson
November 14, 1935 – October 6, 2015
“If there is any one drummer active on the scene who epitomizes New Orleans, drummer Smokey Johnson is that drummer,” wrote Kalamu ya Salaam in the liner notes of 1988’s The New New Orleans Music – Jump Jazz. On the album, where his drums are heard with The Ed Frank Quintet, Johnson, as always, proves that statement true. Joseph “Smokey” Johnson an originator of funk and a master of jazz died on Tuesday, October 6, 2015. He was 78.
Globally, Johnson is most renowned for his 28 years playing and recording and recording with New Orleans celebrated pianist/vocalist Fats Domino’s band that was jam-packed with talent. He and producer and arranger Wardell Quezergue opened up some ears when they co-wrote the 1967 classic “It Ain’t My Fault” that has been covered by such diverse artists as the Olympia Brass Band (as “No, It Ain’t My Fault”) to rapper Mystikal. It remains an anthem of brass bands across the city and is an essential during the Carnival season. Johnson solos on drums to kick off the legendary song with his signature light touch while driving the irresistible rhythm with his kicking bass drum. It’s typical Johnson who played the drumset “from the bottom up.”
Prior to joining Domino’s group, Smokey sat behind the drums with trumpeter and bandleader Dave Bartholomew’s Band and during the New Orleans rhythm and blues heydays was the go-to drummer for recording sessions. As the always good-natured Johnson put it in a 1994 interview after being named a New Orleans magazine “Jazz All-Star, he played and recorded with “most of the cats around town.” That’s Johnson layin’ down the beat on guitarist/vocalist Earl King’s monster cut “Trick Bag.” He was also regularly heard with greats including keyboardist/vocalist Eddie Bo and vocalist James “Sugar Boy” Crawford of “Jock-A-Mo” fame.
Johnson, who began playing trombone before switching to drums, grew up in the music-filled Tremé neighborhood. He attended Joseph A. Craig Elementary School and studied under the influential music teacher Yvonne Busch while attending Joseph S. Clark High School. By age 17, he was out on the scene gigging. “Being in Treme had a lot to do with it,” said Johnson of his early interest in music.
Outside of the R&B arena, many folks and fellow musicians knew Johnson’s talent as a gifted jazz drummer. His Sunday evening jam sessions at Gerry’s club in the 7th Ward where his friend and frequent fellow collaborator, saxophonist Fred Kemp would always turn up, were legendary. Catching him at the Jazz & Heritage Festival on sets in the Jazz Tent with pianist extraordinaire Ed Frank remained critical to his and the group’s fans. Johnson teamed regularly with saxophone great Alvin “Red” Tyler and bassist Chuck Badie playing what the drummer once described as “jukebox jazz.”
A compilation of Johnson’s work as rhythm and blues leader has been released on CD and vinyl as It Ain’t My Fault – Legendary 60s Recordings by Night Train International. Besides the title cut, it includes beauties like his own, “Tippin’ Lightly” and other funky collaborations with Quezergue.
In 1993, Johnson suffered a stroke followed by the amputation of his leg. While these major health issues put his drumming days behind, they didn’t dampen his musical spirit. Supported by the non-profit Jazz Foundation of America, he along with other musicians including saxophonist Red Morgan, performed at a variety of area nursing homes. Johnson utilized an instrument created by Morgan that incorporated a tambourine and cowbell attached to a sock cymbal stand. “He kept the music up until he died,” says Morgan.
Johnson, who lived in New Orleans Musicians Village, made his final public musical performance at 2013’s Voodoo Arts + Music Festival with headliner and old friend, pianist/vocalist Dr. John. Armed with his “rig,” Johnson joined drummer Herlin Riley and percussionist Alfred “Uganda” Roberts in the rhythm section of Dr. John’s all-star band. Back stage and on stage the mood was riotous.
“That’s my partner,” Johnson exclaimed in a pre-show interview. “We’ve known each other since I was 17 years old… That’s my boy. I curse him out; he curses me out,” he added, laughing his infectious laugh.
“Smokey is so f***in’ off the hook, that’s his blessing,” Dr. John said at the time.
Smokey Johnson loved the music and made it smile. He made those within earshot smile as well with his grin-inspiring beats and big, warm, embracing personality. Yeah, the man was funny too…
A musical tribute in remembrance of Smokey Johnson was held from 6 pm to 9 pm on Friday, October 16, 2015 at Charbonnet Family Services funeral home, 1615 St. Philip St. Funeral services took place on Saturday, October 17 at The Asia Baptist Church, 1400 Sere St. Visitation begins at 8 a.m. followed by the service.
This article originally published in the October 12, 2015 print edition of The Louisiana Weekly newspaper.
