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Plas Johnson at Jazz at Pearl's 1/12-14 |
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Written by Ronaldo Oregano
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Friday, 05 January 2007 |
"From a teenage start in New Orleans
backing some of rhythm & blues’ most formidable players, Plas
Johnson’s career has been an extraordinary one; by the late ’50s, his
ability to stroll into a studio and deliver a performance of supreme
technical facility and context-ideal feel had made him one of the most
prized tenor-sax soloists in Los Angeles. He has appeared on recordings
by everyone from Frank Sinatra to Frank Zappa, Joni Mitchell to
Screamin’ Jay Hawkins, lending each date his priceless instinct and
unmistakable velvety tone." - Jonny Whiteside, LA Weekly:
 Plas Johnson
Plas Johnson comes to Jazz at Pearl's in San Francisco for a very
special three-night set, January 12th through the 15th. The
jazz and soul spendor of the occasion will be heightened by the
presence of Dave Mathews on the Hammond B-3, Carl Lockett on guitar,
and Kent Bryson on drums.
Plas was born in Donaldsonville, Louisiana, about sixty miles north of
New Orleans. As teens, Plas and brother Ray formed a band, the Johnson
Brothers Combo, that played in and around New Orleans for a number of
years. Plas left New Orleans in 1951 to go on the road with the Chartes
Brown Blues Band. The road, a stint in the Army and a permanent move to
California followed. Plas attended the Westlake School of Music in Los
Angeles for a year and a half, when his studies were derailed by an
overloaded schedule of record dates. He was brought to the attention of
Johnny Otis, who immediately added him to his blues aggregation. Johnny
then introduced Plas to Dave Cavanaugh, who held an influential A&R
position at Capitol Records, where he soon became a regular session
sideman and soloist during Capitol's halcyon years.
Plas has been one of the most well-known and sought-after musicians
around the California studio scene. He joined "The Merv Griffin Show"
band, led by Mort Lindsey, in 1970, where he remained for the next
fifteen years, joining an all-star line-up which also included such
prominent instrumentalists as Ray Brown, Herb Ellis, Jake Hanna, Benny
Powell, Jack Sheldon, Kai Winding and others.
Plas' recent recordings include his own albums, "Hot, Blue & Saxy,"
"Evening Delight" and "Christmas in Hollywood," and "Keep That Groove
Going!" on Milestone, with Red Holloway. You may also find him around
town occasionally with his own group, at jazz festivals around the
world, and in the recording studios. Plas Johnson combines some of the
best elements of jazz and blues and is admired and emulated by sax
players worldwide.
Plas Johnson comes to Jazz at Pearl's for a very special three-night set. The
jazz and soul spendor of the occasion will be heightened by the
presence of Dave Mathews on the Hammond B-3, Carl Lockett on guitar,
and Kent Bryson on drums.
Jazz at Pearl's is located in the heart of San Francisco's Entertainment District at:
256 Columbus Ave (Pacific),
San Francisco, CA 9413,
phone: 415-291-8255. |
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 Saturday, 05 July 2008
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