PEOPLE
Atlanta Jazzman
‘Jazz is a language just like any other. It has nuances,’ H. Johnson said. ‘If you understand the nuances, you understand the language.’ Longtime Atlanta radio personality H. Johnson’s Saturday night jazz radio show is as smooth as newly churned butter and as comfortable as an old pair of slippers. For five hours on Saturdays, the Neptune, New Jersey, native keeps jazz music coming on his show, “Jazz Classics with H. Johnson,” on WABE. He plays recordings of performers such as Count Basie, Dinah Washington, Erroll Garner, The Modern Jazz Quartet, and many others. He intersperses the music with a smooth patter that drops knowledge about the artists he’s showcasing — not a few of whom he’s interviewed himself — while including
occasional humorous asides. His passion for music comes through loud and clear. That makes sense, given that he grew up immersed in music of all forms. Brought to Atlanta by his stepfather and mother, who later divorced, Johnson got into radio while he was in high school. He emceed as well, at one point sharing the stage with Billie Holliday. After stints with an alphabet soup of other local broadcasters, he landed at WABE in 1978 and has been there ever since, playing jazz and adding a Friday night blues show called “Blues Classics with H. Johnson” in 2013. ASL contributor Mark
Woolsey caught up with Johnson at his home in Mableton as he was prepping his latest on-air foray. Q. How did you get interested in music? A. It began in elementary school. We had a music class for kids. We didn’t learn how to read music, but we learned how to experience it. That, plus listening to radio as a kid. Also, my mother and grandmother were into music. My
OPEN IN DUNWOODY VILLAGE A convenient, affordable way to stay on top of your pup’s basic care and grooming needs.
Snuggle up to a clean, healthy pup! TRIAL OFFER INCLUDES
✓ Bath ✓ Ear Cleaning ✓ Nail Clip ✓ Teeth Brushing Blow-dry not included Valid on first visit only. Must present ad. One per dog.
SCENTHOUND DUNWOODY
Call now to book! (678) 990-1900 8
DUNWOODY VILLAGE 5535-B CHAMBLE DUNWOODY ROAD DUNWOODY, GA 30338
www.scenthounddunwoody.com
JUNE 2021 | AtlantaSeniorLife.com
facebook.com/AtlantaSeniorLife
