Alonzo "Pookie" Johnson has died

[ghost of miles]

Just received word that saxophonist Alonzo "Pookie" Johnson has passed away. He's not well-known outside the Indpls. area, but he was an integral part of the 1950s Indiana Avenue scene and had a group with Wes Montgomery (he can be heard on some of the late-1950s recordings re-released under Montgomery's name). Sad news and rather unexpected, at least to me, as I had not heard anything about his being in ill health.

[rachel]

This is so sad; it seems like we're losing them so quickly. It *does* seem quite unexpected, as he was scheduled to perform next week at the Indiana Avenue Renaissance Festival.

Here's the article in today's Indy Star...

'Pookie' Johnson, local jazz legend

Alonzo "Pookie" Johnson

• Graduated from Attucks High School and attended Butler University School of Music.

• Joined the Army Air Forces in 1945 and played in the special service band. Then he worked for the U.S. Postal Service for 30 years.

• Honored in July 1985 as a Living Legend of Jazz and inducted into the Hall of Records of Congress by U.S. Sen. Richard G. Lugar, R-Ind.

• Performed from 2001 to 2003 at the Indy Jazz Fest and also played concerts at the Indiana Historical Society and The Children's Museum and at Indiana State University.

By Raygan Swan

raygan.swan@indystar.com

If you asked Alonzo "Pookie" Johnson to come blow his horn, he would -- no matter the time or place.

That's just the kind of man he was.

The 77-year-old Indianapolis jazz legend, who died Saturday afternoon in Methodist Hospital, loved to share his gift.

"He gave of himself," said entertainer and jazz singer Mary Moss. "He was such a gentle man and has left so much behind for us to enjoy."

An Indianapolis native, the singer and saxophone player enjoyed a musical career that spanned more than 60 years.

His heyday: Jam sessions and playing clubs along Indiana Avenue in the 1950s when the area was swinging and rich with jazz music. He played regularly with Wes Montgomery of the famed Montgomery Brothers.

Before that, he toured with other big-name musicians, such as trumpet player King Kolax and drummer Eddie Byrd.

In recent years, he performed with the Hampton Sisters and at the Indy Jazz Fest.

Mr. Johnson's career started at Attucks High School, where he took music seriously as a student. After graduating, he married Bettie, his wife of more than 50 years, and they raised five children.

Moss was looking forward to having Mr. Johnson play at her birthday celebration inside the Jazz Kitchen this month. "We'll still have a good time because we'll feel his spirit," she said.

Funeral arrangements are pending.

Russell Webster, a childhood friend and colleague of Mr. Johnson's, was glad his friend made his career in Indianapolis.

When the 77-year-old jazz player learned of his friend's death Saturday, he said, "It's something you don't want to believe when it comes by your way."

Webster and Mr. Johnson played together in the Jimmy Coe Big Band and with the Indianapolis Legends of Jazz.

The stage they most recently shared was in a small church on the Eastside.

The two musicians spent Saturdays in the church, teaching children to play musical instruments.

"We just started this summer and had more than 100 kids," Webster said.

Janice Carter, president of the Indianapolis Jazz Foundation, said she asked Mr. Johnson to work with Indianapolis Public Schools elementary students. She said he gave a musical history lesson about his time on Indiana Avenue and growing up during segregation.

"He had such charm with the children," Carter said. "Some musicians are fussy. Not Pookie. He'd show up and say, 'I'm here with my horn. Tell me where to stand.' "

~~~

He did have quite the charm... sums it up pretty well.

RIP, Pookie...

Edited September 5, 2005 by rachel

[Michael Weiss]

I count myself fortunate to have befriended and perform frequently with this wonderful person from 1978 until 1981 while as an undergrad at IU. Playing with Pookie, often in the company of Al Kiger and Benny Barth was the best playing experience I could hope for in Indiana. Pookie was a warm, selfless human being always ready to play. Rarely having a bad word to say about anyone or anything, he was a humbling influence at a time when humility was a particularly valuable lesson. Like Junior Cook, in the years that followed, Pookie taught by example. Their musicality was direct - story-telling melodicism: simple and to the point. R.I.P. Pookie.

[jazzmessenger]

I came back from a wedding out of town last night and just saw the news in Sunday paper. It's very sad. R.I.P. Pookie.

[sheldonm]

I'm just back form the Chicago Jazz Fest this morning where Slide Hampton played several show as did his nephew (Pharez Whitted). I talked with a few of Slide's friends last night at the Jazz Showcase and was told that Pookie's wife has actually been ill and Pookie has been doing quite well although he has battled cancer for some time. Pookie was the regular tenor player with the Hampton Sisters band (Slide's sisters) and a regular around here for a zillion years. Very good player and a marvelous human being. I had many conversions with him over the past few years; very sad to see him pass away, a very big loss for the Indianapolis commmunity and jazz as well.

I have included an image I made of Pookie in the not too distant past!

m~