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Donald Macleod explores the period when James P Johnson had regular hits in musical theatre.

James P Johnson is known as the Father of Stride Piano, and composed the most iconic work that captures the essence of the Roaring Twenties, the Charleston. Both pianist and composer, he not only wrote jazz but also music for theatrical shows, symphonic works and opera too. He performed alongside jazz greats such as Fats Waller, Willie the Lion Smith and Sidney Bechet, and also collaborated with George Gershwin as well. Johnson was an early pioneer in the recording industry, and made many studio recordings as a soloist and with his own jazz band. Yet despite all of this, his name has been largely forgotten today. One possible reason for this is that being a transitional figure between ragtime and jazz, he’s been hard to categorise. Each day in this series, Donald Macleod will explore a period in Johnson’s life where Johnson strove to achieve a different role: recording artist, theatre composer, performer and teacher, and also a tickler - a ragtime saloon pianist.

During the mid-1920s, James P Johnson began to make a name for himself as a composer for the theatre. The line-up of producers he worked with was impressive, including Earl Carroll, George White, Frank Montgomery, Flo Ziegfeld and the Schubert Brothers. In 1922 he worked on a show called Plantation Days, which proved so successful it travelled to Europe where Johnson collaborated with George Gershwin. Then came Johnson’s hit show, Runnin’ Wild, which included his most iconic work, the Charleston. Runnin’ Wild was so popular it opened on Broadway, performing in New York for two years, and then on to London. His career was at an all-time high, and it was during this period that Johnson began to write large symphonic works to, including Yamekraw. But it was his music for the theatre which had the most impact, writing hit numbers such as If I could be with you. This song would be recorded by many musical legends, including Fats Waller, Louis Armstrong, Oscar Peterson, Benny Goodman, Katy Star, Helen Humes, Art Tatum, Bing Crosby and Doris Day.

Toddlin’ ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ
Dick Wellstood, piano
Tommy Benford, drums

Runnin’ Wild Medley
Dick Hyman Theatre Orchestra

After Tonight
Jimmy Johnson and His Orchestra

Old Fashioned Love
Bechet-Mezzrow Feetwarmers

If I could be with you
Doris Day
Studio choir
Studio ensemble

Jingles
James P. Johnson, piano

I Need Lovin’
Marty Grosz and the Hot Winds

Yamekraw, A Negro Rhapsody
Gary Hammond, piano
Hot Springs Music Festival Orchestra
Richard Rosenberg, conductor

Backwater Blues
James P. Johnson, piano

Charleston
Stephane Grappelli, violin
Django Reinhardt, solo guitar
Pierre Ferret, rhythm guitar
Marcel Bianchi, rhythm guitar
Louis Vola, bass

Produced by Luke Whitlock, for ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Wales