Otis Johnson (musician)


Otis Johnson was an American jazz trumpeter.

Life

Johnson was born on 13 January 1908 in Richmond, Virginia. He began his career in the late 1920s, working with Gene Rodgers, Henri Saparo, Eugene Kennedy, and Charlie Skeete. In 1929 he joined Luis Russell's band, and rejoined Kennedy's group before working with Benny Carter in 1934. He played with Charlie Turner and Willie Bryant in the mid-1930s, then with Louis Armstrong and Don Redman toward the end of the decade.

Military service

Johnson joined the 369th Coast Artillery of the New York Army National Guard on 30 December 1940 and separated on 13 October 1945, achieving the rank of T/4. He never returned to active performance after leaving the military.

Death

Johnson died on February 28, 1994.