Jazz Articles about Richard Leo Johnson

Richard Leo Johnson: Language

by Jim Santella
December 1, 2000

Because of its location, Nashville did not become a center for jazz or blues, as did Memphis and St. Louis. Instead, the Tennessee hub has become a city known for quite a few things in general and its country-western music theme in particular. Arkansas-born guitarist Richard Leo Johnson, 44, has spent some time in Nashville and recognizes the melting-pot nature of its culture. Bluegrass, folk, Celtic music and continental European elements show up on Language. While Johnson’s debut album last ...

Richard Leo Johnson: Language

by AAJ Staff
November 1, 2000

The revival of Blue Note Records has been little short of phenomenal when one considers that the legendary label was moribund by the early 1980's until various believers like Bruce Lundvall applied their resources and genius to the challenge of revival. One part of the jazz juggernaut that Blue Note has become lies in the visionary leadership of Lundvall, as the artists on the label attest. The other part lies in the fact that Blue Note is allowing the music ...

Richard Leo Johnson: Fingertip Ship

by AAJ Staff
March 1, 1999

It sounds like hyperbole, but I mean it – you have heard these techniques before, but you haven’t heard them like this. If you have, I consider you privileged.

Richard Leo Johnson is a photographer from Arkansas; his pictures are part of museum collections. The guitar stayed in his living room while a technique slowly took shape; only recently has he ventured into public performance. In this set he strums, tweaks, bangs, and does things I am at a loss ...