Kevin J. Johnson is a musician’s bassist. While his talent and ability certainly allow for showing off the musical athleticism of his skill, versatility and speed, his playing is steeped in the desire “to mean every single note” and guided by a musical sensitivity and striking facility to serve the music first and foremost. 

His tone is drenched in the awareness and sensibility of the rich tradition of Charles Mingus, Paul Chambers, Ron Carter, Dave Holland and others before him, while allowing opportunity for creativity and the unconventional inspired by such players as Jaco Pastorious and Marcus Miller.  That however does not mean he is at home in jazz alone - Johnson is equally well-versed in contemporary popular musics from R&B to country music and as influenced by Charlie Parker as he is by Led Zeppelin.  

Also a well-versed guitarist, his understanding of harmonic contexts, texture and arrangement has brought many a soloists play to a new plane when accompanied by Johnson. He is in some ways a most tuneful example of the truth in Sting’s statement: “Great music is as much about the space between the notes as the notes themselves.”

Equally at home on both upright and electric basses, Johnson has played with many ensembles and soloists including Gene Parker, Chris Buzzelli, Steven Walker and Dissonant Grace. He has also paid his dues as a rhythm section player on the theme park and cruise circuits and for such diverse ensembles as the BGSU Jazz Singers and the Corner Pocket Trio.

In the end, regardless of the setting, Johnson’s bass notes always seem selected like a fine wine to go with whichever flavors are being presented by the players and/or singers he accompanies or converses with - his musical sensibilities the fine sense of smell of the 5-star chef. His dishes are delicious!