| James P. Johnson was a pianist and composer. With Luckey Roberts, Johnson was one of the originators of the stride style of piano playing.Johnson was born in New Brunswick, New Jersey. His family moved to New York City in 1908. His first professional engagement was at Coney Island in 1912. Johnson's tune 'Charleston' (which debuted in the Broadway show 'Runnin' Wild' in 1923, although by some accounts Johnson had written it years earlier) became one of the most popular tunes and arguably the definitive dance number of the Roaring 1920's. His other hits included 'You've Got to Be Modernistic', 'Keep Off the Grass', 'Old Fashioned Love', 'A Porter's Love Song to a Chambermaid', 'Carolina Shout', 'If I Could Be With You (One Hour Tonight)', and 'Snowy Morning Blues'. |
