Stephen Johns

Biography

For over three decades, drummer Steve Johns has been a major presence  on the jazz scene, collaborating with many of the music’s most renowned practitioners.  Artists from all points on the musical spectrum have  consistently sought him out because they know his musicianship,  versatility, deep commitment to his craft, and enthuaism will enrich any  performance.  Leaders such as Nat Adderley, Stanley Turrentine, Larry  Coryell, Randy Brecker, Ronnie  Cuber, Jimmy Owens, Dr. Billy Taylor,  Benny Carter, Thomas Chapin and Sonny Fortune appreciated the fact that,  no matter what the gig, from the world’s greatest concert stages to the  smallest clubs, Steve brings the same total commitment, utmost  professionalism, and pure joy at making music.  He is also a total  musician, who continues to expand his musical horizons by studying piano  and trumpet.

Steve Johns was born into a musical family in Boston in 1960, and  began playing drums at the age of nine.  His mother, Goldie Tyler Johns,  was a songwriter, and three of her brothers were saxophonists,  including the legendary Jimmy Tyler, who was Steve’s primary influence  and inspiration. It was Jimmy who encouraged the youngster to study  formally with Alan Dawson, and his three years with the master  percussionist and educator enabled him to make rapid progress. While  attending Natick High School, Steve played in both the concert and jazz  bands and earned chairs in both the district and state jazz ensembles.   After graduating in 1979, Steve continued his studies at the New England  Conservatory of Music where he received a thorough grounding in  classical percussion from Vic Firth and Fred Buda, while playing with  such local jazz greats as James Williams, Miroslav Vituous, Jeff Berlin,  and Mike Stern.  

At NEC he met his wife-to-be, Debbie Keefe Johns, a  fine saxophonist in her own right. In 1982, Steve made the move to New  York, quickly establishing himself as an inspirational player at home in  any musical style.  Over the ensuing three decades, Steve has worked in  every conceivable setting, from big bands such as the Gil Evans and the  Count Basie orchestras, to accompanying singers like Jessye Norman,  Helen Merrill, Diane Schuur, and Dakota Staton. Steve played with the  late great saxophonist Thomas Chapin and his Trio along with bassist  Mario Pavone. He has toured worldwide as the regular drummer for Sonny  Fortune, Benny Carter, Dr. Billy Taylor, and many other luminaries.  His  five-year tenure as a member of Taylor’s trio brought him wide  exposure, including 75 performances for the pianist’s NPR program Jazz at the Kennedy Center with such guests as Wynton Marsalis, Nancy Wilson, Milt Jackson, and Randy Brecker.

Steve has appeared on over seventy albums by Leon Thomas, George  Russell, Thomas Chapin, Dr. Billy Taylor, Houston Person, John McNeil,  Sonny Fortune, Peter Leitch, Gary Smulyan, and Bob DeVos, among many  others.  In addition to his work as a sideman, Steve is also a member of  the collective group Native Soul, and has been co-leader on recording  projects by that group (One Mind, 2012, American Showplace, Soul Step, Talking Drum Records), as well as on an album with saxophonist Peter Brainin (No Saints, No Sinners, Playscape).

In addition to his extensive credits as a player, Steve has long been  active as an educator.  While with the Billy Taylor Trio, he took part  in over a hundred lecture/demonstrations throughout the U.S., and has  regularly served on the faculty for educational programs at the  University of Massachusetts at Amherst, Long Island University,  Montclair State University, the Litchfield Jazz Camp, the Vermont Jazz  Center, and Jazz House Kids. Steve and Debbie co-direct the JCC  Thurnauer TeenTown Jazz Program in Tenafly, NJ, which has featured such  guests as Larry Coryell, Bernie Williams, and Jimmy Owens.

Steve and Debbie’s musical talents have been passed directly to a new  generation. Their son, bassist Daryl Johns, while still a teenager, has  already made his mark as one of the most highly touted musicians to  burst onto the scene in recent years.  A highlight of Steve’s career was  the 2015 release of his CD aptly titled Family, on which Steve, Debbie, and Daryl were joined by guitarists Dave Stryker and Bob DeVos.

The consummate team player, Steve Johns has always managed to retain  his own singular sound and distinctive musical persona while serving the  common purpose of any group he is with. “One thing I love about jazz is  having the freedom to express your own style,” he told once told Star Ledger jazz writer Zan Stewart. “I knew from a young age you have to have your own voice.”