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John Johnson

1540 – 1594

English lutenist and composer

Composer Lutenist
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About John Johnson

Lived 1540 – 1594 (aged 53–54). John Johnson was a British composer and lutenist.

John Johnson ( – 1594) was an English lutenist, composer of songs and lute music, attached to the court of Queen Elizabeth I. He was the father of the lutenist and composer Robert Johnson.

Discography The lutenist Lynda Sayce has recorded a disc of works by John Johnson and his son. Two pieces "Pavan" and "Galliard" have been recorded by Julian Bream and John Williams. Christopher Wilson and Shirley Rumsey have made a recording on the Naxos label of John Johnson's lute music. A dozen pieces by Johnson were also recorded by lutenist and theorbist Yavor Genov in his album Orpheus Anglorum (Brilliant Classics, 2018). The group Saraband, with Susanna Pell and Jacob Herringman, includes two pieces by Johnson on their 2016 CD "Twenty waies upon the bels.'

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Important facts

Born
1540
Birth century
Died
1594, London
Occupation

People in John Johnson's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped John Johnson's

Frequently asked questions

Who was John Johnson?

English lutenist and composer

When was John Johnson born?

John Johnson was born in 1540.

When did John Johnson die?

John Johnson died in 1594 in London.

What was John Johnson's occupation?

John Johnson was a composer and lutenist.

What nationality was John Johnson?

John Johnson was British.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: John Johnson

· Wikidata: Q722109

· DBpedia: John Johnson (composer)

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). John Johnson. https://biography.guide/john-johnson-composer/

MLA: "John Johnson." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/john-johnson-composer/.

Chicago: "John Johnson." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/john-johnson-composer/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

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