Lonnie Johnson played jazz and blues and enjoyed a remarkable career with more than a few ups and downs. He played guitar, violin, and piano, sang and wrote songs, and was the first artist to record a real guitar solo on a commercially issued record, in 1925. The guitar definitely wasn't the pre-eminent instrument it has become in the 20s. Johnson was a major influence to another Johnson, Robert Johnson, as well as jazz great Charlie Christian, and B. B. King. The Philadelphia area group Blues Anatomy has put out an album called "Rediscovering Lonnie Johnson" that pays tribute to this great artist. Another Johnson, Jef Lee Johnson, "plays the part" of Lonnie Johnson on the album. Geoff Muldaur puts in a guest vocalist appearance on one of Johnson's biggest hits, "He's A Jelly Roll Baker." This Blues File features music both from Lonnie and from Blues Anatomy, along with commentary from the producer of "Rediscovering Lonnie Johnson" Aaron Levinson. Hide full description

Lonnie Johnson played jazz and blues and enjoyed a remarkable career with more than a few ups and downs. He played guitar, violin, and piano, sang and wrote songs, and was the first artist to record a real guitar solo on a commercially issued record, in 1925. The guitar definitely wasn't the pre-eminent instrument it has become in the 20s. Johnson was a major influence to another Johnson, Robert Johnson, as well as jazz great Charlie Christian, and B. B. King. The Philadelphia area group Blues Anatomy has put out an album called "Rediscovering Lonnie Johnson" that pays tribute to this great artist. Another Johnson, Jef Lee Johnso...
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