Henry Johnson © Andrea Canter

Henry Johnson's musical roots run deep into gospel, blues, and jazz. His strongest and earliest influences were Kenny Burrell, George Benson, and most significantly, Wes Montgomery. While influenced by these great guitarists, Johnson also cites the music of Herbie Hancock, Oscar Peterson, Freddie Hubbard, Miles Davis, big bands, and jazz orchestras as integral forces which shaped his sound and style. Johnson's latest recording on A440 Music Group is called "Organic" and features Johson with the legendary vocalist Nancy Wilson backed by the Organ Express.

Jeff Parker

Four jazz guitarists will perform in a free concert to open the 2008 Jazz City conecert series on Friday, February 8th at Austin Town Hall Park - 5610 W. Lake St in Chicago. The Jazz Institue of Chicago has assembled an array of guitarists who each represents an aspect of the jazz guitar legacy to present their original music along with favorite jazz standards. Four guitar-slingers will grace the stage: Curtis Robinson, a versatile guitarist who has played with Ira Sullivan, Freddy Cole and Ramsey Lewis; John Moulder, a musician and composer who has roots an many forms of music and has worked with Kurt Elling, Eddie Harris and Paul Wertico; Jeff Parker, whose singular approach defies categories, is a member of the Chicago Underground Trio, Isotope 217 and Tortoise, as well as working with Ken Vandermark, Lin Halladay and Fred Anderson; and Buddy Fambro, who leads his own trio and has worked with Ramsey Lewis, Gladys Knight, the Staple Singers and Otis Clay. Ernie Adams and Josh Abrams will provide further rhythmic support on drums and bass.

"There's a small subgenre of bands right now that are making a tricky but inevitable connection: the combustible energy, sardonic attitudes and harsh, crackling timbres of indie rock and the musicianship, improvisational logic and humanism of jazz. ... [ The Peace Between Our Companies (2005)] comes in like a lion with 'Starchild Cranium,' but that full-on clank has nothing to do with the serenity of the winding ballad 'Ella by Nightlight,' near the end. It's nice to hear a band with such radically different dispositions". - New York Times

A Happy Apple

Happy Apple was formed over ten years ago in Minneapolis, members of the band are David King (drums), Michael Lewis (saxophones) and Erik Fratzke (electric bass). All three members compose music for the group which places equal emphasis on improvisation. Happy Apple draws on several other genres; the group's members play in other bands ranging from indie rock and heavy metal to free jazz and electronic. The best known of these is The Bad Plus, in which King also plays drums. Dave acts as the emcee for the group as from the behind the drum kit he announces the tunes and frequently breaks into what could almost be a stand-up comedy act. But the music is no joke - these are highly skilled musicians who are serious about music, but never take themselves too seriously.