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.New York State Military Museum and Veterans Research Center
"27th Division World War Two Men Who Were Federalized In 1940 Last Names Beginning With 'J'"
''New York State Division of Military and Naval Affairs website'', January 18, 2012. Accessed March 25, 2018.National Archives and Records Administration
"Military Enlistment Record of Johnson, Otis"
''Archives.gov website''. Accessed March 25, 2018. 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 Charles Turner (musician), 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 Infantry Regiment (United States), 369th Coast Artillery of the New York Army National Guard on December 30, 1940, and separated on October 13, 1945, achieving the rank of Technician fourth grade, 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

{{DEFAULTSORT:Johnson, Otis 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