The Late Set - Calvin Johnson at Room 623

Calvin A. Johnson Jr is a saxophonist, composer and bandleader born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana. Calvin’s paternal grandfather, George Augustus “Son” Johnson, was a musician who led WPA bands during the Great Depression and taught musicians at the Grumswald School of Music in New Orleans. Calvin praises his long time mentor and close friend Edward “Kidd” Jordan who ingrained an impenetrable foundation in him at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Foundation's School of Music and the Louis Armstrong Summer Jazz Camp. Johnson was able to nurture and expand his love and interest in the music business at the famed performing arts high school the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts (NOCCA), whose alumni include Wynton and Branford Marsalis, Harry Connick Jr., and Wendell Pierce, to name a few...

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Calvin A. Johnson Jr is a saxophonist, composer and bandleader born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana. Calvin’s paternal grandfather, George Augustus “Son” Johnson, was a musician who led WPA bands during the Great Depression and taught musicians at the Grumswald School of Music in New Orleans. Calvin praises his long time mentor and close friend Edward “Kidd” Jordan who ingrained an impenetrable foundation in him at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Foundation's School of Music and the Louis Armstrong Summer Jazz Camp. Johnson was able to nurture and expand his love and interest in the music business at the famed performing arts high school the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts (NOCCA), whose alumni include Wynton and Branford Marsalis, Harry Connick Jr., and Wendell Pierce, to name a few. At NOCCA, under the instruction of the legendary Clyde Kerr Jr. and Kent Jordan, Calvin decided to pursue music as a career. While having always maintained a full-time music career Johnson received his B.S. in Business from the University of New Orleans. Deeply rooted in music from both sides of his family tree, Calvin began his approach to music and the love of the horn at the tender age of 7 when he was given his first saxophone, and weekly lessons, by his Uncle Lionel. At the age of 12, Calvin played his first professional gig at the famous Tipitina’s night club in New Orleans with the New Orleans Jazz Babyz which included fellow youths Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews and Omari Neville. On stage Johnson heads the bands Calvin Johnson and Native Son as well as Chapter:SOUL, and records with these bands under the label Alma Records. Native Son's self-entitled sophomore release was received to rave reviews and voted as one of the the top releases of 2015 by Offbeat Magazine Readers Poll as well as achieving 8th highest grossing album sold at the 2015 New Orleans Jazz and Heritage festival. He is currently recording his 3rd studio album, "Notes from a Native Son", which is set for a fall 2021 release.

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