Henry Johnson, Nancy Wilson form a thrilling pair

Guitarist Henry Johnson’s Organic album was a showpiece of musicianship intended to thrill both fans of instrumental and vocal jazz. With a small outfit of accompanists on drums, organ and saxophone, the music makes one appreciate not only the brilliance of the instrumentalists, but also the singing styles of both Johnson and the late Nancy Wilson, with whom he performed duets as a guest vocalist.

Sadly, Ms Wilson, a jazz singer of note, passed away on December 13, 2018. She was 81.

Released in 2003, Organic features the duo weaving out engaging vocal phrases with a conversational flow. Both delivered an almost seamless blend in their lead roles. And how the guitarist improvises.

Johnson’s full round tone on his fat-body Heritage guitar makes a big impression of the influence he got during his formative days, from the very unique octave phrasing style of late guitar legend Wes Montgomery. In Johnson’s playing, there are elements of Kenny Burrell and George Benson styles and, more clearly, in his single-note runs. 

Johnson has several solo albums, starting with You’re The One, released 1986. Of course, as a musician with a style mostly weaved with a soulful feel, and occasionally hard swinging rhythms, Johnson, performing with The Organ Express, achieved a fabulous outcome with an uplifting, swinging groove. Organ Express features drummer Greg Rockingham, organist Chris Foreman and saxophonist Peter Roothaan.

On the opening track, It Could Happen to You, Johnson’s tone, choice of chords and notes are warm and engaging and give a hint of his dexterity as a soloist and improviser, qualities that fit so well with the tune’s mid-tempo rhythm.

The other soloist, Roothaan’s tenor sax, flows with enormous power with varying tonal elements. But even with these facets, he is not carried away with his sound. Instead, he blows statements signaling an interaction phase with the prior soloist, the session leader.

If it’s The Last Thing I Do, a duet, features the guitarist’s powerful baritone voice charmingly contrasting with his guest Nancy’s smooth soprano, both singing with deep feeling. Alongside them, Foreman’s harmonic organ textures add an intense romantic feel. A similar touch features on Hello Like Before, but this one is performed in the bossa nova style. On yet another duet, The More I See You, there’s the expected ladylike, sweet tastefulness in Nancy’s vocals, something that endeared her to many jazz enthusiasts, including Johnson. The piece connects her straightaway with the instrumentalists’ spontaneous flexibility.

Organist Foreman offers a splendid performance, he’s a dependable and formidable musician. On the up-tempo Cascavelo samba tune, he comps very tasteful cascading chords while also supplying steady bass lines with the Hammond B-3 organ. And even with the little space for his solo, Chris weaves captivating melody-inspired lines.

It’s About Time, Third Rail, and It’s Alright with Me capture the quartet’s link to bebop with amazing nimbleness. Foreman offers more, evoking influences as distinct as those of legendary organists Jack McDuff and Jimmy Smith with flowing improvisations and chops that excite.

Then Roothaan’s tenor conjures a Sonny Rollins dash, a biting, daring and driving tonal strength based on theme, rather than merely chord changes, which makes his solos flow with a freer mode. And drummer Rockingham pushes with a solid post-bop rhythm that is felt without any fuss, offering endless possibilities to the soloists. Nevertheless, it is Johnson who stands out. Featuring a tonality similar to George Benson’s, he unleashes his personal blend of melodies, rhythms and flowing improvisations. A strong rapport among these musicians comes up.

Henry Johnson was born in Chicago on January 28, 1954. Initially a self-taught guitarist from age 12, he played various styles of music. But all changed upon hearing Wes Montgomery. He immediately got interested in jazz. Johnson has performed with singers Donny Hathaway and Joe Williams, trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie, saxophonist Sonny Stitt, organists Jack McDuff and Jimmy Smith, and more.

And Nancy was a pivotal source of joy to listen to, her singing was a showcase all the way. The pairing of Henry Johnson and Nancy Wilson on Organic showcased the duo’s great musical qualities. They created fun, affection and warmth.