Henry Johnson

Chicago-born guitarist Henry Johnson began playing at age twelve. While spending some formative time in Memphis with his grandparents he got an Isaac Hayes gig at the age of fourteen. That experience honed his blues chops which he took back to Chicago. In no time, he had developed a reputation on the South Side as a serious improvising blues guitarist.

He later went on the road with organist Jack McDuff and had the good fortune to work in Donny Hathaway's last band. In 1979, Johnson began playing with two jazz legends: pianist Ramsey Lewis and fellow Chicago native vocalist Joe Williams, associations that continue to this day. "Joe and Ramsey have been extended family for me. Working with them is the real finishing school experience."

Johnson resists being categorized, as his roots run deep into jazz, gospel and R&B. His strongest and earliest influences were Kenny Burrell and, most significantly, Wes Montgomery. Montgomery remains the major influence, but Johnson also cites big band and orchestrated arrangements as integral forces which shaped his career.

Prior to the considerable international success of Johnson's debut for Heads Up, titled New Beginnings, his debut for MCA/Impulse!, You're the One, achieved #1 status on both the Radio & Records NAC and Contemporary Jazz charts - a rare occurrence for a first album - and gained a five star rating in Downbeat. In Jazz Times, reviewer Diane Patrick called the album "a thoughtful piece of work which may well become a guitar classic." Johnson's follow-up recordings, Future Excursions and Never Too Much, also reached the top of the charts, with both featuring jazz classics alongside Johnson's original compositions.

Dave Love, President of Heads Up, first met Johnson when he contracted him to play guitar on Joe McBride's debut Grace. States Love, "After working with Henry in the studio producing Joe's project, I felt that if there was anyone unsigned who played as musically as Henry, then we needed to do something about it. Henry's joining the Heads Up family of artists is in line with our development of highly skilled jazz artists who possess that R&B/NAC capability and enjoy doing it."

In addition to his solo recording projects, Johnson has recently contributed his side-man services to Angela Bofill, the Boston Pops, Jean Carne, the Count Basie Orchestra (with Joe Williams), Dizzy Gillespie, Richie Cole, Freddie Hubbard, Kenny Rankin, Jimmy Smith, the Spinners, Stanley Turrentine and Nancy Wilson. In all of his work. it is that gentle characteristic that makes his colleagues call on him again and again - and that will make listeners call on Missing You again and again.

Music with strong melodies and good harmonies never dates itself," says guitarist and composer Henry Johnson. On Missing You, his second release for Heads Up, he provides just that type of music.

The eleven tunes on Missing You all bear the Johnson trademark: Henry on guitar, quartet-backed, playing friendly, jazz instrumental music, with a Johnson vocal or two included as a treat. From start to stop, the mood is upbeat as he blends covers of contemporary urban classics ("All This Love" and "Don't Ask My Neighbor") with originals like "Mileslike," a tribute to one of his primary influences. As with all of his albums, the music is calming, almost healing. Johnson comments, "I want the listeners to feel positive about themselves."

Johnson's quartet includes drummer Robert Gates, keyboardist Bob Long, and bassist Frank Russell. "The musicians on this album are my regular band," he mentions, "and we're closing in on our thirteenth year of playing together." Naturally, this results in a tight ensemble sound, which reflects what Johnson's smooth, gentle music seems to promote: relationships. It's perfect music to relax (or romance) with.

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