Cee Pee Johnson

Cee Pee Johnson (born Clifton Byron Johnson,[1][2][3] February 22, 1915[4] – after October 1954)[5] was an American jazz composer,[6][7] bandleader,[8][9] drummer and vocalist.

Early life and career

Johnson was born in Algiers, New Orleans.[1][4] He first appeared in published sources in Dallas early in the 1930s, billed as C. B. Johnson, playing in his brother Bert Johnson's band The Sharps and Flats.[10] Johnson danced and sang with this ensemble, and also played tom-toms.[11]

He moved to Los Angeles in the middle of the decade, and played with Emerson Scott's band at the Onyx Club in Hollywood. He eventually became the group's bandleader, and played at several high-profile West Coast clubs, including the Paradise Club,[12] the Del Mar Club (1940), the Rhumboogie,[13] and Billy Berg's Swing Club.[14] His sidemen included Teddy Buckner, Karl George, Buddy Banks, Marshal Royal, Jack McVea, Johnny Miller, and Buddy Collette. His backup drummer was Alton Redd. The ensemble appeared in many films, and was active until at least 1954;[15] he toured South America in 1953.[16]

Johnson worked as a sideman with Slam Stewart and Slim Gaillard on their Slim and Slam sessions.

References
  1. "Cee Pee's Wife Faints As She Gets Prison Term". The California Eagle. October 4, 1951. Retrieved January 9, 2021.
  2. "Real Estate Transfers" The Shreveport Journal. January 8, 1920. Retrieved January 9, 2021.
  3. Morris, Earl. "Cameras Star Work on 'Mystery in Swing'; Picture Will Deal with Newspaper Plot". The Pittsburgh Courier. February 3, 1940. Retrieved January 9, 2021.
  4. Eagle, Bob; LeBlanc, Eric S. (2013). Blues - A Regional Experience. Santa Barbara: Praeger Publishers. p. 171. ISBN 978-0313344237.
  5. "People and Places". The California Eagle. November 4, 1954. Retrieved January 8, 2021.
  6. Library of Congress. Catalog of Copyright Entries, Part 3: Musical Compositions; New Series, Vol 32, Pt 1: First Half of 1937. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office. 1937. Page 346.
  7. Library of Congress. Catalog of Copyright Entries 1945 Music New Series Vol 40 Pt 3 No 10. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office. pp. 1,294, 1,375 and 1,404.
  8. "'Mystery in Swing' Goes to Cutting Room Floor". The Norfolk Journal and Guide. February 10, 1940. Retrieved January 10, 2021.
  9. "Famed 'Cee Pee Johnson' Coming With his Band for October Shows". Honolulu Star-Bulletin. September 22, 1947. Retrieved January 10, 2021.
  10. "Now: Bert Johnson and His Sharps and Flats". El Paso Times. November 27, 1933. Retrieved January 9, 2021.
  11. Rye, Howard. "Johnson, Cee Pee". Grove Jazz online.
  12. "The Paradise Club Presents Gladys Bentley, 'Peg Leg' Bates". The California Eagle. August 11, 1938. Retrieved January 9, 2021.
  13. "On the Stand: Cee Pee Johnson". The Billboard. November 15, 1941. Retrieved January 8, 1941.
  14. "Actress Asks Damages; Struck by Drum Stick". Harrisburg Telegraph. May 6, 1947. Retrieved January 12, 2021.
  15. "Sunday Jam Session — 4 - 9 P. M.". The Long Beach Independent. July 31, 1954. Retrieved January 8, 2021.
  16. "Rhythm N' Blues Ramblings: Los Angeles". The Cash Box. January 9, 1954. Retrieved January 8, 2021.

Further reading

Articles

Books
  • Royal, Marshal. Jazz Survivor. London: Cassell. 1996. Pp. 55-56. ISBN 0-304-33836-2.


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