Aaron M. Johnson | |
|---|---|
 Johnson in 2022 | |
| Born | June 9, 1991 Coos Bay, Oregon, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Saxophonist, writer, performance artist |
| Years active | 2009–present |
| Relatives | Joanne Verger (grandmother) |
| Musical career | |
| Genres | Jazz, bebop, swing |
| Instrument(s) | Saxophone, clarinet, flute |
| Website | aaronjohnsonisunderground |
Aaron Michael Johnson (born June 9, 1991) is an American jazz saxophonist, writer and performance artist. [1]
Aaron Johnson began expressing interest in music at a young age. [2] While he could play music fluently by the age of 13, he still could not read notation. His earliest woodwinds instructor Matt Utal [3] recounted, "He was precocious, very bright and advanced for his age. I stressed the importance of learning to read, and he bogged down for a long time and became a great reader." [4] Johnson was educated at Manhattan School of Music. [2] [5]
At 18 Johnson was chosen as lead alto saxophonist in the Gibson/Baldwin Grammy Jazz Ensemble, with whom he performed and attended 51st Annual Grammy week. [6] , initially with his ensemble Aaron Johnson's Reboppers, [6] [7] and eventually with the Aaron Johnson Quartet. [8]
In 2009, at 17, Johnson became the youngest musician ever to be awarded the Outstanding Soloist title at the Monterey Next Generation Jazz Festival. [7]
