Blues Classics with H. Johnson

H. was raised in a musical household, with jazz surrounding him at an early age. He is a natural at piano, having been told he did not need lessons due to his keen ear and ability to improvise.

H. began his career in radio when WAOK launched a temporary ratings-boosting campaign that utilized the talents of surrounding high school students. After the gimmick had run its course, H. was hired as a permanent employee. He played the regular R&B hits, but always managed to include some of his jazz favorites. Since 1978, H. has been a fixture on WABE in Atlanta’s blues scene Fridays from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. and jazz scene on Saturday nights from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m.

Through the course of his passionate career with jazz, H. has been honored numerous times for his valuable contribution to the art form. He has also interviewed jazz greats such as Babs Gonzalez, Freddie Cole, Horace Silver, Eddie “Lock-Jaw” Davis and Julian “Cannonball” Adderly. Not only does H. gain inspiration from the jazz greats, but finds the most flattering moments of his career to be when his favorite artists ask to be interviewed by him.