Kris Johnson is an award-winning American composer. Drawing from jazz, classical, hip-hop, and neo-soul, Kris’s writing creates diverse textures that represent his unique musical identity. He has composed several large-scale works for jazz and orchestral ensembles including Jim Crow’s Tears (his graduate thesis), a Journey Through a Dream (commissioned by the Arts League of Michigan), and Odd Expressions (commissioned by Troy High School). His arrangements have been performed and/or recorded by the Count Basie Orchestra, Karen Clark Sheard, Yolanda Adams, the Clark Sisters, Farmington Community Band, the Motor City Brass Band, and Detroit Symphony’s Civic Jazz Ensembles. Kris is also the exclusive copyist for composer and trombonist, Wycliffe Gordon.

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FULL RESUME

Awards:
The Great American Song Contest (2006)
- Winner of annual competition in the “Instrumental” category for composition “My Apologies”

Commissions:

Troy High School Orchestra (2011/forthcoming)
- Jazz quartet and symphony orchestra

Farmington Community Band (2010/forthcoming)
- Jazz quartet and wind ensemble

Arts League of Michigan (2008)
- “A Journey Through a Dream”
- String quartet and jazz quartet

Written for:
Count Basie Orchestra
Yolanda Adams
The Clark Sisters
Karen Clark Sheard
Othello
Lyric Lee
Stephanie K

Recordings as composer and/or arranger:

Karen Clark Sheard “All In One” KAREW RECORDS (2010)
- trumpet, flugelhorn
- co-arranger of horns

Barry Cooper and Kris Johnson “Common Journey” (2009)
- Composer, arranger, co – leader

The Clark Sisters “A Clark Christmas” (2009)
- trumpet & flugelhorn
- horn arrangement on “This Christmas”

Kris Johnson Sextet “Exodus” (2008)
- all compositions, trumpet, leader

Lyric Lee “Journal Entries” Dae One Records (2008)
- horn arrangements, trumpet & flugelhorn

Yolanda Adams “What a Wonderful Day” Sony BMG (2007)
- “My Favorite Things” horn arrangement, trumpet

Othello “Translation Please” Mic Life Japan (forthcoming)
- compositions, horn arrangements, trumpet & flugelhorn

Stephanie K (forthcoming)
- horn arrangements, trumpet & flugelhorn