Biography
Johnny Lindsey's career on low-register horns encompassed trombone, baritone saxophone, and bass. Although steeped in the same New Orleans lineage that shaped countless early jazz players, he stood apart by actually working alongside the three foundational figures he admired—Louis Armstrong, King Oliver, and Jelly Roll Morton. His own local résumé began with stints in the orchestras of John Robichaux and Armand Piron, groups whose travels took him to other hubs of the music, notably New York City. Later he became a fixture on the Chicago scene, leading his own ensembles while continuing to work as a sideman.
His first professional experience came in the family band, where his father played guitar and his brother Herb Lindsey handled violin. After serving in the Army during World War I, Lindsey returned to New Orleans and began working as a freelance trombonist. He joined Armand Piron's orchestra for its 1924 New York engagement, then left to tour with King Oliver; subsequent road work included Dewey Jackson, Willie Hightower, and additional leaders. By the middle of the decade he had moved to Chicago, where he added string bass to his trombone duties. During this period he participated in several of Jelly Roll Morton's landmark Chicago sessions, among them recordings of the forward-looking “The Pearls.” Early in the following decade he toured with Louis Armstrong and briefly revisited New Orleans; a few years afterward he was once again based in Chicago, appearing alongside Jimmie Noone and others. Around 1940 his own groups became his primary focus, though most of their engagements took place in intimate Windy City rooms such as the Music Bar.
His first professional experience came in the family band, where his father played guitar and his brother Herb Lindsey handled violin. After serving in the Army during World War I, Lindsey returned to New Orleans and began working as a freelance trombonist. He joined Armand Piron's orchestra for its 1924 New York engagement, then left to tour with King Oliver; subsequent road work included Dewey Jackson, Willie Hightower, and additional leaders. By the middle of the decade he had moved to Chicago, where he added string bass to his trombone duties. During this period he participated in several of Jelly Roll Morton's landmark Chicago sessions, among them recordings of the forward-looking “The Pearls.” Early in the following decade he toured with Louis Armstrong and briefly revisited New Orleans; a few years afterward he was once again based in Chicago, appearing alongside Jimmie Noone and others. Around 1940 his own groups became his primary focus, though most of their engagements took place in intimate Windy City rooms such as the Music Bar.
Albums
