Tommy Johnson

[Northern]

I just got a phone call from the ABC producer of "This Week" show informing me that, as it often happpens in TV, people fight over every second of air time, and that, unfortunately, "In Memoriam" segment dedidated to Tommy Johnson got cancelled, a decision she had no control over.

[Dylan King]

Hello tuba playing friends,

Everyone here has been so kind to a man who was so kind to all of us. Tommy is just about the easiest person I can think of to give praise to. I'm sure Tommy would be humbled by the amount of love the tuba playing community has for him and his family. We already miss him so much, but his teaching lives on in so many hearts and minds. I look forward to the many, many music lessons he has to give in the eternal Kingdom of God.

A few years ago I posted a message here on TubeNet responding to a young person who was considering studying with Mr. Johnson. I did a few minor edits upon reading it again, and thought I'd post it one more time in this thread. It's just a tidbit on how I felt about this great man back in 2004, and for any of you who didn't know him, you might find it interesting.

I saw Tommy the for the last time at Alan Baer's recital in North Hollywood and he mentioned that he had read the "article". He thanked me for it and I actually think he blushed a little when we talked about it. I could tell he was slightly embarassed by it, as he was quite a humble man considering his accomplishments. I think a copy of it was put in his momento book that was given to him by his students. Well here it is again. Enjoy...


Some thoughts on Tommy Johnson…
 
I thought I’d chime in with a few thoughts about my favorite teacher (not just of tuba) of all time. Who just happens to teach at both USC and UCLA in Los Angeles. I must fairly note that Tommy Johnson is a USC fan.
 
Tommy doesn’t just teach tuba. He teaches lessons in sports, politics (how not to worry about politics too much), manners, respect, deep thought, the future of music, Godly character, the list goes on and on and on. He teaches about life from the point of view of someone who has been there, done that, and learned good character from good example. He is a good example to everyone who is blessed enough to meet him and know him.
 
Tommy Johnson and Roger Bobo are still good friends to this day. They both grew up in Los Angeles and competed in high school as the two best young tubists to ever hit the tuba scene before there was ever a tuba scene. Not only have they played together and recorded together with the LA Phil and in major motion pictures, but they were playing together in high school honor bands, at least I think I remember Tommy speaking of that. They both positively influenced the other in ways that could have only been designed by a great Creator. How else could the two wisest and most talented brass bassists of all time come together at such a young age and be able to play together and share their professional experiences? What a blessing their relationship has been to so many tuba players around the world, who have benefited from the great domino effect these two men have had in the knowledge of music and brass instruments.
 
Tommy is 6’4â€

[Dylan King]

I remember when I was studying with him in the early and mid nineties he was really into the Yamaha 822 F tuba as his all around instrument. When he just had to bring a CC into the studio, he played on his Mirafone 188 or for a little bit on that 6/4 Neptune he had.

I think he played on a Mirafone 185 for a long time in the seventies and 80s, but can't quite remember. Maybe it was a 187. Before he got hooked on that Yamaha F he was using a B&S F tuba that Robb Stewart had put a Mirafone bell on to help with the low register. That was what he used in his last UCLA recital in 1992, along with the F cimbasso.

Let's see.

He had a CC and an F cimbasso, the F was a Rudy Meinl, and he a valve bass trombone made by Minick I think. He said he never liked playing the slide, that it was old technology and just got in the way.

He sold me his Rudy Meinl F tuba, that I played on for years before I sold it to a TubeNet member. It was real nice, and had 6 valves and the most beautiful high register of any F tuba he or I ever played.

I remember a bunch of tubas just lying around that room of his at home. He also had a strange double tuba that was an F/CC combo. He would lend some of his personal horns to students he trusted, which was way more than any of us deserved. He was just generous in that way.

He was always the go-to guy for the "Bydlo" horn, which I think is an Alexander rotary valve Bb single tuba. It has 4 valves and played down that solo like velvet. He let me borrow it one time and I remember him calling me and telling me I had to get it back to him ASAP because I think Norm may have needed it for the Phil. I can't remember exactly but when I returned the horn to his house, he of course gave me a free two hour lesson.

It seemed that a lot of tuba makers sent him new stuff to try out, as he was a true master. I think any horn he would have wanted would have been happily delivered to his front door if he asked the maker for it. Funny thing was, I don't remember him ever asking for any favors of anyone. He was a true giver.

Did any of you know that he started on trumpet? Go figure. Lucky for us his high school needed a tubist!

[Jobey Wilson]

My condolences to all who were close to Mr. Johnson. I, so unfortunately, never had the opportunity to meet the legend. Paul Luxenberg & I had some real nice chats about Mr. Johnson. Just this summer Paul was telling me, "You gotta get together with him!! You two would get along really well, and you'd come out a different person & player!" My heart goes out to all...jobey

[Dave Hayami]

When I was taking lessons with Mr. Johnson, 1975-1979, his main tuba was a
silver 185 5V CC. It had just been overhauled and silver plated the summer before I started at USC.It had a removeable upright bell.(Several old Mirafone ads show him with this horn the bell bolts show) Just looking at this tuba made up my mind to order a silver 186 the next semester.
Dave Hayami

[Dylan King]

[Dylan King]

I remember that ad! Thanks for posting it.

Barry Guerrero

[trseaman]

This may have already been stated elsewhere... And I know the industry has changed over the years. But who is doing most of the tuba work in Hollywood these days? The kids were watching, (okay I was watching) a cartoon yesterday and it had an cool tuba line... So it got me to thinking.

Tim