Genre

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Opera

 

 

Vocal

 

Bashiri Johnson is a renowned percussionist, composer, and producer in the world of classical music. Born on October 12, 1959, in Brooklyn, New York, Johnson grew up in a musical family. His father was a jazz pianist, and his mother was a singer. Johnson's parents encouraged him to pursue music from a young age, and he began playing the drums at the age of three. Johnson's early musical influences included jazz, R&B, and gospel music. He was particularly drawn to the rhythms and percussion of African and Latin American music. Johnson began studying percussion formally in high school, and he went on to attend the Manhattan School of Music, where he earned a degree in percussion performance. After graduating from college, Johnson began working as a freelance musician in New York City. He quickly established himself as a versatile and talented percussionist, and he began working with a wide range of artists and ensembles. Johnson's early career highlights included performing with jazz legends such as Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie, and Art Blakey. In the 1980s, Johnson began to branch out into other genres of music. He became a sought-after session musician, working on recordings for artists such as Whitney Houston, Madonna, and Michael Jackson. Johnson's percussion work can be heard on some of the biggest pop hits of the era, including Jackson's "Billie Jean" and Houston's "I Wanna Dance with Somebody." In addition to his work as a session musician, Johnson began to develop his own solo career as a composer and performer. He released his first solo album, "Drum Suite Life," in 1990. The album showcased Johnson's unique blend of jazz, world music, and classical influences, and it received critical acclaim. Throughout the 1990s and 2000s, Johnson continued to work as a session musician and composer. He collaborated with a wide range of artists, including Sting, Beyoncé, and Jay-Z. Johnson also continued to release solo albums, including "Global Village" (1995) and "Moods and Grooves" (2002). One of Johnson's most notable collaborations came in 2002, when he worked with composer John Williams on the score for the film "Catch Me If You Can." Johnson provided percussion for the score, which earned Williams an Academy Award nomination. In addition to his work as a musician, Johnson has also been active as an educator and mentor. He has taught percussion at the Manhattan School of Music and the New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music. Johnson has also worked with young musicians through programs such as the Jazz Foundation of America and the Harlem School of the Arts. Throughout his career, Johnson has received numerous awards and accolades for his work as a musician and composer. In 2005, he was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Percussive Arts Society. Johnson has also been nominated for several Grammy Awards, including for his work on the soundtrack for the film "The Lion King" (1994). Today, Johnson continues to be an active and influential figure in the world of classical music. He remains in demand as a session musician and composer, and he continues to perform and record his own music. Johnson's unique blend of jazz, world music, and classical influences has made him one of the most respected and innovative percussionists of his generation.

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