[Dixielandjazz] Osie Johnson (was Hank d'Amico)

[Ken Mathieson]

Hi Steve et al,

Steve mentioned a number of famous musicians who lived in Queens, including a guy whose name you don't hear too often now, but who was on so many records of the 50s and 60s: drummer Osie Johnson. He was on lots of records that I bought when I was learning drums and, although I'd probably have to say Sid Catlett was my primary influence, it's now clear to me that Osie also influenced my phrasing a lot. I was on a gig the other night in a piano/bass/drums trio and heard myself play a little fill that I recognised right away as being one of Osie's. It came out of the deep sub-conscious, so I was pretty surprised that I had it down after all these years. I offered up a silent thank you and hoped nobody else spotted it, but I was safe: he's virtually a forgotten figure nowadays. 

Back then, as part of the great "New York Rhythm section" of Hank Jones, Barry Galbraith, Milt Hinton and Osie there were endless master classes on record of how a class-act rhythm section functions. They recorded with just about everyone. Recently I was driving with the radio on and heard a Connie Francis track. I was about to reach for "off" button when I recognised Osie's cymbals, so it's probably the first time in my life that I listened carefully to a Connnie Francis track all the way through.

One of the best records to hear Osie on was a date for Prestige-Swingville with Buddy Tate's Celebrity Club Band called Tate's Date - classic mainstream at its best - and now part of a Prestige CD called Groovin' with Tate.

Cheers,

Ken Mathieson
www.classicjazzorchestra.org.uk