Background

Known to many simply as "Prof", Conrad Johnson is the most widely recognized and beloved music Ambassador in Houston. HIGHLY respected as a versatile, passionate saxophonist and leader of The Conrad Johnson Orchestra, this octogenarian has for over 50 years been a major force in shaping the Houston sound, a rich synthesis of down-home Texas blues and sophisticated Jazz. At the onset of the New Millineum, Prof was inducted into the prestigious Texas Bandmaster's Hall of Fame in Austin, where the lives of outstanding teachers of music throughout Texas are spotlited. In January of 2001, he was featured on the Debra Duncan TV show on KTRK ABC 13, where many of Houston's finest musicians paid tribute to his dedication as a teacher, and to the supreme influence his tutelage has had on their lives. Former pop music critic for the Houston Chronicle, Rick Mitchell said, "Conrad Johnson is one of Houston's greatest and most unsung cultural heroes. He could have made a national and international name for himself with his two Big Bands; instead he chose to devote his career to educating Houston's future musicians. He is retired from the school system, but he's still hard at work as an Ambassador and educator." Conrad began teaching in public school in 1941. His 37 years of classroom service were highlighted by a distinguished tenure as director of the Kashmere High School Stage Band, which won First Place in 42 out of 46 contests around the Globe between 1969 and 1977, recorded 8 albums featuring more than 20 ORIGINAL compositions by Johnson, and traveled extensively throughout Europe, Japan and the good ole USA. Young JAZZ lovers need to take advantage of his knowledge in their quest to learn and love this musical art form we lovingly call J A double Z! In 1999 he established The Conrad Johnson Music & Fine Arts Foundation, which is a 501c3 non-profit organization, along with The Conrad Johnson School of Music, which is a Music and Fine Art Magnet School, established in his honor by the Houston ISD, and housed at Kashmere Senior High School, that provides music education, instruments, and secondary education scholarships for aspiring young JAZZ artists. He is also a noteworthy inventor having patented his very own model of a saxophone ligature named, The CJ Ligature. As Prof himself will tell you, "There are many ways to help OUR children...this program's method is to help young people attain their goals in MUSIC-for MUSIC is the key to the soul; the creative approach to living well. When one has peace of mind, a restful heart, (which only comes from living well) then one has the tools needed to meet the challenges of the day and the goals of tomorrow." This 87 year old Pioneer is still busy doing his life's work which continues to be: To develop, preserve and support JAZZ music and the Arts in the greater Houston/Gulf Coast area by collaborating with existing JAZZ study programs at local schools, colleges and universities.

Location

2414 Rosewood Street

Occupation

Educator/Musician/Inventor/Pioneer

Music That Inspires Me

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Films I'll Watch More Than Once

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