I was lucky enough to occasionally break out of that racist situation that prevails in the Hollywood film production community. But it was racist then and it will always be that way. It will never be otherwise. — J. J. Johnson Copy Share Image
There are no black film composers doing the likes of Star Wars, doing the likes of E.T., doing the likes of Jurassic Park. There… — J. J. Johnson Copy Share Image
Sometimes you need to stand with your nose to the window and have a good look at jazz. And I've done that on many… — J. J. Johnson Copy Share Image
In those days before hearing Charlie Parker and Dizzy, and before learning of the so-called bebop era--by the way, I have some thoughts about that word, "bebop"--my first jazz hero ever, jazz improvisor hero, was Lester Young. I was a big "Lester Young-oholic," and all of my buddies were Lester Young-oholics. We'd get together and dissect, analyze, discuss, and listen… — J. J. Johnson Copy Share
I was lucky enough to occasionally break out of that racist situation that prevails in the Hollywood film production community. But it was racist… — J. J. Johnson Copy Share Image
