Jerry Johnson
Biography
GERALD (JERRY) JOHNSON (trombonist) was an exceptional Toronto musician and jazz educator who passed away in Stratford, Ontario, Canada on March 7, 2005. He was on the faculty of Humber College in Toronto for a number of years, played with Rob McConnell and The Boss Brass, and was a member of the famed (Phil) Nimmons ‘n’ Nine Plus Six ensemble from the time it was formed until his death. He was a mainstay in pit-bands playing in Stratford Festival productions for many years.
He recorded with jazz giant Maynard Ferguson in 1974, and played in Nimmons ‘n’ Nine Plus Six when they performed in concert during the “Sound of Toronto Jazz” Series at the Ontario Science Centre on March 7, 1977. He played with the Humber College Faculty Sextet in the same series on January 21, 1991, and as leader of his own Quintet (with Michael Stuart on saxophone, Brian Dickinson on piano, Jim Vivian on bass, and Ted Warren on drums) on November 3, 1997.