SAMUEL JONATHAN JOHNSON - YOU / MY MUSIC

Samuel Jonathan Johnson began playing the organ at age 14, at E. 17th St. C.O.G.I.C. in Des Moines, Iowa. where his mom was choir director and pianist. Within a few months, Sam had become the youngest "State Minister of Music"in C.O.G.I.C. history! Serving in both Nebraska & Iowa. When Sam was 16 years old the family moved to New York City, where he played for several churches, Holy Trinity C.O.G.I.C. in Brooklyn was his home church and Sam quickly gained notoriety as one of New York’s finest organists there. Whether showing other musicians the newest licks, or training choirs, Sam was a natural teacher. At age 19 he went into the Army and was introduced to jazz by some older guys in his unit. A few months later he was playing jazz at piano bars and college parties when off duty, wherever he was stationed. After returning home to New York he continued to play for church choirs, and composing songs incorporating jazz chords with gospel chords to create his unique style and sound. Subsequently, Sam formed the group "Spontaneous Combustion"and performed throughout the New England area, sometimes opening for major acts such as; "The Jackson 5!" Soon after getting major exposure, Sam recorded his solo album“MY MUSIC "for Columbia Records. Read more on Last.fm. User-contributed text is available under the Creative Commons By-SA License; additional terms may apply.