Joe Johnson Wins 2009 Thelonious Monk International Jazz Composer’s Competition

Bassist Joe Johnson was honored as the 2009 Thelonious Monk International Jazz Composer’s Competition grand prize winner on Sunday, October 11 during the 22nd annual Thelonious Monk International Jazz Competition and all-star Gala Concert at the Kennedy Center Eisenhower Theater in Washington, D.C. The Blue Note Records 70th Anniversary Gala Concert attracted a jaw-dropping collection of Blue Note Records recording artists, past and present, including Herbie Hancock, Dianne Reeves, Wayne Shorter, Kurt Elling, Bobby McFerrin, Ron Carter, Terence Blanchard, McCoy Tyner, Earl Klugh, John Scofield, and Joe Lovano.

The composer’s competition, presented by the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz and BMI, was established in 1993 to recognize the creators of noteworthy new musical contributions to the distinctly American art form.

2009 Thelonious Monk International Jazz Composer’s Competition grand prize winner Joe Johnson and BMI’s Jean Banks pause for a photo during the Thelonious Monk International Jazz Competition and all-star Gala Concert on October 11 in Washington, D.C.

In recognition of his award-winning composition “Shepherd Song,” Johnson received a $10,000 reward from the institute. BMI’s Robbin Ahrold, who made the presentation, reflected on the award’s significance, saying, “Seventeen years ago, we at BMI began talking with Tom Carter, T.S. Monk, and Shelby Fisher about sponsoring a competition which would put the spotlight on the role of the composer in jazz, a way of calling attention to the importance of contributing new compositions to keep the art form fresh and vital.”

After praising the bassist’s “exceptional skill,” Ahrold congratulated Johnson, calling BMI “tremendously proud” to represent the prodigious young composer. Johnson then performed “Shepherd Song” with an all-star band.

Pictured are Bruce Lundvall, and CEO of EMI Music’s legendary jazz label Blue Note Records; 2009 Thelonious Monk International Jazz Composer’s Competition grand prize winner Joe Johnson; and Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz President Tom Carter. Lundvall received the 2009 Maria Fisher Founder’s Award, a prestigious honor reserved for individuals who have made substantial contributions to jazz and jazz education.

Kansas City, Missouri native Joe Johnson began his musical journey early, starting on the piano at 3 years old and segueing into the electric bass at 12, followed by the upright bass at 17. Beginning in 2004 through 2006, Johnson was a Fellow at the Henry Mancini Institute, where he performed and recorded with Henry Mancini Orchestra. After earning his bachelor’s degree from the University of North Texas, Johnson advanced to the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz Performance at Loyola University in New Orleans, where he recently completed his master’s degree in music. Today, Johnson resides in Brooklyn, where he is a composer and sound designer for the J-Unit, an organization which creates music and sound effects for advertising, animation, broadcast, and film.

About the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz
The Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz, a nonprofit education organization, was founded in 1986 by the Monk family along with the late Maria Fisher, an opera singer and lifelong devotee of music. Its mission is to offer the world’s most promising young musicians college level training by America’s jazz masters and to present public school-based jazz education programs for young people around the world.  All of these programs are offered free of charge to the students and schools.
www.monkinstitute.org