J.J. Johnson centennial celebration - Part 3

December 01, 2024

Listen to the final episode in our three-part series celebrating the 100th anniversary of the birth of trombonist J.J. Johnson, one of the greatest jazz icons to emerge from Indianapolis.

On this edition, we’ll focus on Johnson’s work in third stream music––a term coined by the conductor and composer Gunther Schuller in 1957 as a blend of classical and jazz music. Johnson was involved in the early development of third stream music and the genre left a lasting influence on his work.

Johnson composed several important third steam works, including “Perceptions”, a composition for solo trumpet and large jazz orchestra. The piece was commissioned by the jazz legend Dizzy Gillespie and recorded for Verve Records in 1961. 

Hear excerpts from “Perceptions” and other third stream compositions by Johnson.