ALVON JOHNSON
BIO: ALVON JOHNSON
(AMBASSADOR OF THE BLUE
Alvon Johnson is
o
ne of the most versatile musicians, singers,
and entertainers
on the music scene today.
H
e travels the world singing and swinging jazz
standards with big bands.
H
e also gallops the globe performing the songs that he
performed
while working with the rock and roll hall of fame group,
T
he
C
oasters.
W
hen he
travels to
R
u
ssia he is
referred to as the “K
ing of the
B
lues”
and the “
A
mbassador of the
B
lues”.
H
is love and respect for the
A
merican
A
rt
form is shared by large and enthusiastic audiences all over the world.
•
Recipient of the Lifetime Achievement
Award from the Empress Theatre in
2015
•
Recipient of the Music Icon Award from the Black Music
Association &
Academy of America in 2015
•
Recipient of the Best Male Blues Artist
Award
from
the Black Music Association
Academy Of
America in 2015
•
Vote
d
2005 Blues Guitar Player of the
Year,
Former vocalist with the Rock and Roll Hall of fame
group “The Coasters”,
•
Regional winner of the Guitar Centers “King of the
Blues” national contest in 2006 and 2007,
•
His CD “The Blues Grew up” was nominated fo
r
Outstanding Blues Album of 2004.
•
“The Blues Grew up” was Voted
one of the top
ten CD’s in Japan in
2005.
•
His incredible CD “Guitars and Cars”, was voted in the top ten CD’s of
2008 by the prestigious Blues magazine “Real Blues ”.
•
Nominated
for the Entertainer of the Year Award with the
“
International Music and Entertainment Association”.
His early music influences were Guitar players such as Wes Montgomery,
Andre Segovia, Charlie Christian, and of course Jimi Hendrix. His vocalist
influence
s were Frank Sinatra, Joe Williams, Johnny Hartman, and Nat
King Cole.
He has performed with many well known artists, including The Drifters,
The Coasters, The Shirelles, Bobby Day of Rocking’ Robin fame, and
Jimmie Rodgers of Country and Western fame.
Alvon Johnson
learned
from
many icons of the Blues, including John Lee
Hooker, Pee Wee Crayton, Little Joe Blue, Harmonica Fats, Frankie Lee,
Guitar Shorty, Lowell Folsom, and Buddy Ace.
Known for his comedic style, Alvon Johnson
worked with many
comedians such as Renaldo Rey, Robin Harris, Skillet and Leroy, and
Lawanda Paige (Aunt Ester), from the Redd Foxx show.
Having the opportunity to work with these outstanding comedians helped
him to develop his own style of comedy which s
erved him well as a
vocalist with the Rock and Roll Ha
ll of Fame group “The Coasters”
He tours constantly on the international level as well as nationally in such
places as Russia, Spain, Africa, Hungary, Portugal, Poland, Malaysia,
China,
France, Italy, Japan, Singapore, New Zealand, Europe, Canada,
The Bahamas, and Australia.
His self titled CD was spoken of and described as :
This wee
k’s show
was dedicated to Muddy’s legacy
–
covers of Muddy’s songs ect. Well the
listening audience was unanimous that Alvon’s version of “Hoochie Coochie
Man” was
spectacular. It is a cutting edge rendition which holds its own
with Muddy’s original which
is, of course, one of the top ten blues
recordings of all time. Chicago is drenched in blues talent (we’re proud of it
too) and Alvon can go head to head with the best around here.
Greg
Freerksen, host “Blues Edition” Public Radio from College of DuPage, 9
0.9
FM WDCB, Glen Ellyn,
Illinois
His second CD was spoken of and
described as :
If there ever was a blues album that
could change the face of every blues album to
come, it’s got to be this one. Alvon delivers the
blues in a smooth, e
xciting, and energetic fashion.
The thing that I liked most about this album, was
that everyone on it seemed like that were having a
great time playing the music. This is real blues with
a touch of flavor. I loved every single song on this
album. The lyric
s where great, the guitars where
smokin’, and the feeling was oh so right! I like to
feel the music, and there wasn’t a problem at all
with the feeling being presented on this album.
It’s
too bad I can’t hear blue
s
like this more often. I am truly honored
to review
this music.
–
Michael Allison
–
THEGLOBALMUSE.COM Song Pick: “Heaven”
–
(This
is just great blues guitar baby) Sound Qua
lity: Five Stars
Production: Five Star
Musicianship: Five Star:
Originality: Four Stars
Over All: Five Star
Review of Alvon “The Blues Grew Up” AVJ2
alvon@alvonjohnson.com
