It's Monday and it's time for music! I also apologize for the assortment of font sizes. I don't know why this is happening but, not knowing html, I can't seem to fix it. Anyway...
Who are the Music Moves Me bloggers? We are a group of music loving bloggers who blog about music each Sunday or Monday (or even later in the week). If you have music to share with us, you are most welcome to join! We are brought to you by Cathy of Curious as a Cathy, Stacy of Stacy's Random Thoughts, Marie (Xmas Dolly), and myself, plus other music loving bloggers.
Why not join us? Our theme this week is "You Pick". So, sadly, it is time for another induction into Rock and Roll Heaven. Today we celebrate jazz musician Plas Johnson, who passed away July 15 at the age of 94, six days before his 95th birthday. This talented musician played flute, clarinet , tuba, and saxophone. He started out, as a youngster, singing with his father's family music group and, when given a soprano saxophone as a gift from his father (a professional saxophone player) taught himself to play it.
You can find out more about his career, and listen to some of his jazz pieces at this site.
He was perhaps known for his sax sol in 1963's Pink Panther Theme. He performed on several other movie soundtracks and a number of rock songs (some of which I feature below).
Johnson was a session musician for over 20 years. Here are some of the songs you can hear him on.
Help Me Rhonda - Beach Boys, from 1963, with Johnson on tenor saxophone.1966's Wouldn't It Be Nice - Beach Boys, from the iconic album Pet Sounds. Johnson also played tenor sax here.
The Platters - The Great Pretender, 1955, with Johnson on tenor sax.
Lowdown - Boz Scaggs from 1976. Johnson on tenor sax and contributed to the horn section.
Aja - Steely Dan from 1977, with Johnson on flute and tenor sax.
...mighty fine!
ReplyDeleteNice playlist. A bit bittersweet, the Beach Boys just canceled tour dates because Mike Love is ill.
ReplyDeleteGreat tribute to Plas Johnson! I had no idea he was the genius sound of the Pink Panther theme - that song goes through my head whenever my Wheaten Terrier/Papillon mix doggo tries to sneak around - he moves like the Pink Panther does in the opening credits. 😆 Great song choices!
ReplyDeleteI was a huge Beach Boys fan in high school. Help Me Rhonda and Be True to Your School were burned into my memory. Thanks for the tunes.
ReplyDelete94, that's pretty great. My favorite here is 'Lowdown' which I haven't heard in a while!
ReplyDeleteQué buenas canciones. La música alimenta el alma. Gracias por compartirlo. Saludos desde Bitácora literaria España
ReplyDeleteWhat a talented man. He played with many different groups.
ReplyDeleteSo many memories and what a talented man he was. He had a long and productive life. RIP.
ReplyDeleteDear Alana, I love this selection of music. Thank you so much for sharing. 😊
ReplyDeleteI rarely know the musicians by name, but I certainly know most all of the songs you shared today. You were one talented fellow, Plas. May you rest in peace!
ReplyDeleteHave a boogietastic week, Alana! xo
Thanks for the introduction to Plas Johnson! He was a talented musician who lived a good, long life. No issues with different font sizes on this end.
ReplyDeleteI've always liked the Beach Boys.
ReplyDeleteA great selection. Some of the best session musicians can count hundreds of appearances!
ReplyDelete