Clarence Johnston

Clarendon Carlisle Johnston (October 24, 1925 – May 17, 2019), commonly known as Clarence Johnston (sometimes misspelled as Johnson), was an American jazz drummer.

Life and career Johnston was born in Boston, Massachusetts on October 24, 1925.

He appeared on several mid-1950s recordings by James Moody and early 1960s albums by vocalist Joe Williams, by sax player Jimmy Forrest, and by organist Freddie Roach, including the latter's debut on the Blue Note label, Down to Earth (1962). In the second half of the 1970s, he appeared on three Sonny Stitt albums.

Johnston moved to Los Angeles in 1971 and became a drum mentor at Grant's Music School. He died in Burbank, California on May 17, 2019, at the age of 94.

Discography

With James Moody Source:

With Jimmy Forrest Source:

1961 (recorded April)

With Sonny Stitt

With others