James P. Johnson

Scott Brown received a BA from Yale University, where he spent his senior year as a Scholar of the House working on James P. Johnson. He is a graduate of Rutgers Medical School (NJ) and is pursuing a career in surgery. Robert Hilbert, Director of Audiovisual Services at Miami-Dade Community College, Miami, Florida, has written numerous articles on jazz and has contributed to many standard discographies. His column, "Discographical Forum," has appeared regularly in Joslin's Jazz Journal.

A thorough, scholarly, interesting account of Johnson's contributions...Impressively documented [discography]... Sonneck Society Bulletin The first comprehensive account of James P. Johnson's career...his analysis of the pianist's style and devices are usually helpful and clear. JazzTimes Magazine Brown's painstaking research is the first comprehensive effort to place Johnson's considerable contributions to American music in proper perspective...an important addition to the literature...an indispensable reference tool. CHOICE A very worth-while book... Storyville [The discography] is excellent in every way...can stand proudly on the shelf next to the earlier, and equally outstanding, volumes in the series... The IAJRC Journal ...an important contribution to the history of American music...indispensable reading for scholars and students in the field of American music, black or white. The Black Perspective In Music ...this look at the...stride piano giant is long overdue...observations on Johnson's contributions to jazz harmony and rhythm-which in Brown's view make James P. the first modern jazz pianist-are sound and clearly made... Cadence Magazine