Performer
“Theme” the Kris Johnson Group
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“Home Grown” Kris Johnson Quartet
***all three trumpet parts recorded by Kris Johnson
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Trumpet sensation Kris Johnson has appeared on an impressive list of albums including two Grammy Nominated releases: Tony Bennett’s “A Swingin’ Christmas” and Karen Clark Sheard’s “All In One”. Kris toured internationally with the Count Basie Orchestra from 2008 – 2010 and is a prominent performer, composer, arranger, and educator. He has Master’s (2007) and Bachelor’s (2005) degree in Jazz Studies from Michigan State University, and is an endorsed artist of CarolBrass® instruments
Kris has performed at some of the world’s most prestigious jazz venues including the Apollo Theater, the Blue Note Jazz Club (US & Japan), Blues Alley, and the Hollywood Bowl. He has also had the opportunity to perform with many jazz greats including Tony Bennett, Patti Austin, Wess Anderson, Wycliffe Gordon, Jon Hendricks, Monty Alexander, Christian McBride, Jamie Cullum, and many others. PBS viewers may have seen Kris in the documentary Inside Jazz: Everybody’s Welcome, where Kris was a featured soloist in a master class with jazz great Wynton Marsalis.
Kris Johnson plays CarolBrass® Instruments
Click here to read his complete bio.
Member of The Count Basie Orchestra (2008 – 2010)
- Soloist
- 3rd Trumpet
- Arranger
Performed or Recorded with:
Brass Band of Battle Creek
Christian McBride: Marvin Gaye Tribute
Curtis Fuller
Frank Wess
George Clinton
Gerald Wilson Orchestra
Hank Jones
Jack Jones
Jon Hendricks
Karen Clark Sheard
Kiki Sheard
LEDISI
Michigan State University Professors of Jazz
Nneena Freelon
Patti Austin
Rodney Whitaker
Slide Hampton
The Clark Sisters
Tony Bennett
Wycliffe Gordon
Yolanda Adams
Recordings as performer:
Karen Clark Sheard “All In One” Karew Records (2010)
- trumpet, flugelhorn
- co-arranger of horns
The Clark Sisters “A Clark Christmas” Karew Records (2009)
- trumpet & flugelhorn
- horn arrangement on “This Christmas”
Jamie Cullum “The Pursuit”Decca (2009)
- trumpet with Count Basie Orchestra on “Just One of Those Things”
- arranged by Frank Foster
Count Basie Orchestra “Swinging, Singing, Playing” Mack Ave Records (2009)
- 3rd Trumpet
- Features Hank Jones, Frank Wess, Curtis Fuller, Nneena Freelon, Jamie Cullum, & Butch Miles
Barry Cooper and Kris Johnson “Common Journey” (2009)
- Composer, arranger, co – leader
Tony Bennett & The Count Basie Big Band “A Swingin’ Christmas” Sony (2008)
- trumpet & flugelhorn
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
Michigan State University Jazz Band I “Things To Come” (2005)
- Trumpet Solo on “Yardbird Suite”
Men of Grace: I Believe (2003)
- Trumpet solo on “In the Name of Jesus”
Randy Scott “Words Unspoken” Orpheus Recordings (2002)
- Trumpet and Flugelhorn on “Déjà vu”
Detroit Symphony Civic Jazz Orchestra “Martin Luther King Celebration” (2001)
- Trumpet Solo on “Nutville”