Alphonso Johnson

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Johnson in Rochester, New York in 1977

Alphonso Johnson (born 1951) is a American jazz bassist who has been influential since the early 1970s.

[edit] Biography

Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Johnson started off as a trombone player, but switched to the electric bass in his late teens. Beginning his career in the early 1970s, Johnson showed innovation and fluidity on the electric bass. He sessioned with a few jazz musicians before landing a job with Weather Report, taking over for co-founding member Miroslav Vitous. Johnson, ranked alongside peers Stanley Clarke and Steve Swallow, was considered one of the best bassists of the period.^{[citation needed]} His playing was featured on the Weather Report album Mysterious Traveller, on the songs "Cucumber Slumber" and "Scarlet Woman". Johnson appeared on two more albums for Weather Report before he would leave the band to work with drummer Billy Cobham.

Johnson was one of the first musicians to introduce the Chapman Stick to the public. His knowledge of the instrument nearly landed him a lucrative job with Genesis as the replacement for Steve Hackett who had quit Genesis in 1977. Johnson being more of a bassist than a guitarist, had recommended his friend ex-Sweetbottom guitarist and fellow sessions musician Daryl Stuermer, who would go on to remain a member of the Genesis's touring band for the rest of their existence.

In early 1982, Johnson joined Grateful Dead member Bob Weir's side project, Bobby and the Midnites. He would reunite with Weir playing bass in place of Phil Lesh on The Other Ones 2000 tour. He has performed fusion versions of Grateful Dead covers alongside Billy Cobham in the band Jazz Is Dead.

Later in 1984, Johnson played consecutive sets for the Ronnie Lane's ARMS Tour over four shows stretched across the USA. The show's second set of the night (after Eric Clapton's 1st set) featured Jeff Beck and Jan Hammer. The following set Johnson teamed up with the legendary Jimmy Page.