H. Johnson | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1937 (age 87–88) |
| Occupation(s) | Radio personality,musician |
| Years active | 1978–present |
| Employer | WABE-FM |
Herman "H." Johnson[1] (born 1937) is an Americanradio personality inAtlanta, Georgia. He is known for his weekly program "Jazz Classics" which he has hosted since 1978 onWABE, NorthGeorgia's localNPR affiliate.[2][1]
Johnson grew up inAsbury Park, New Jersey and isAfrican-American.Count Basie was a family friend who would visit periodically and play his mother's piano.[1] When his parents amicably divorced, Johnson moved to Atlanta with his stepfather.[1]
He graduated from Atlanta's L. J. Price High School in 1957.[3] He also attendedMorehouse College andAtlanta Area Tech.[3] While in the U.S. Army he receivedNCO training.[3]
Since his teenage years, he has worked at various Atlanta radio stations includingWAOK,WIGO,WRFG,WCLK,[1] andWXAP.[3]
His program "Jazz Classics" airs each Saturday night on WABE from 8 pm to 2 am; the program began in 1978.[3] The program always begins with theFather Tom Vaughn version of "The Battle Hymn of the Republic" and usually ends with a version of "I'll Be Seeing You."[3] At midnight, Johnson plays a weekly selection of "just the right version" of "'Round Midnight."[1]
In the fall of 2013, the station introduced a second program hosted by him, "Blues Classics," on Friday evenings. This program airs from 11 pm to 2 am.[2]
In his off-air life, in past years, he operated a gift shop in southwestern Atlanta.[3] He lives with his wife Marilyn inMableton, Georgia; she accompanies him to the studio in Atlanta when he does his program each Saturday.[1]
In 2001, Johnson was one of the first six recipients of the Paul Mitchell Community Jazz Awards, presented by local stationWRFG.[4]
On June 21, 2010, a tribute to Johnson was held at Atlanta jazz club Café 290 in honor of his 30 years on the air at WABE.[1] TheAtlanta City Council declared the day "H. Johnson Day" in his honor.[5] Coverage of the event aired on local PBS affiliateWABE-TV in the fall of 2010.[6]