Player Profile: Jay Johnson

Jay Johnson: Percussion

Jay Johnson, Percussion
Jay Johnson, Percussion

Jay Johnson has been active as a teacher and musician for the last thirty years.  As a performer, conductor and composer, his work has been produced by the Guthrie Theatre, the Children’s Theatre Company, and the Theatre Exchange, among others.  He received a McKnight Artist Fellowship for composing music for theatre.  Active as a producer, he has produced CDs for Sony Classics, New World Records, and OO Discs.  His music for percussion is published by HoneyRock.  He has recorded and performed with many Twin Cities organizations, including the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, Minnesota Orchestra, and the Minnesota Opera.  Mr. Johnson is currently a Senior Lecturer at Carleton College, where he teaches percussion lessons and directs the West African Drum Ensemble and the Afro-Cuban Ensemble.