Plas Johnson

Plas John Johnson Jr. (July 21, 1931 – July 15, 2026) was an American soul-jazz and hard bop tenor saxophonist, probably most widely known as the tenor saxophone soloist on Henry Mancini’s "The Pink Panther Theme". He also performed on alto and baritone sax as well as flute and clarinet.

Life and career Plas John Johnson Jr. was born in Donaldsonville, Louisiana, United States on July 21, 1931. He sang with his family's group until his saxophonist father bought him a soprano saxophone. he and his brother moved to Los Angeles in 1954, and he soon began session recordings as a full-time musician, backing artists such as B.B. King and Johnny Otis as well as scores of other R&B performers. An early supporter was Maxwell Davis, who hired him to take over his own parts so that he could concentrate on producing sessions for the Modern record label.

In the late 1950s and early 1960s, he was a regular member of Henry Mancini's studio orchestra and in 1963 he recorded "The Pink Panther Theme", written by Mancini with Johnson in mind.

In 1969, T-Bone Walker introduced Harmonica Slim to the record producer Bob Thiele. Thiele utilised a company of jazz and R&B musicians including Johnson, to work with Harmonica Slim on his debut album.

He joined the studio band for the Merv Griffin Show in 1970, and also played with a number of jazz and swing bands of the period. He joined Lincoln Mayorga in creating direct-to-disc recordings for Sheffield Labs. He later recorded for the Concord label, worked with the Capp-Pierce Juggernaut, and toured in 1990 with the Gene Harris Superband.

Discography

As leader/co-leader Plas Johnson [also released as Drum Stuff] (Tampa, 1956) Downstairs, (A-side), The Loop, (B-side), (Capitol Records, 45-30564). Promotional Record Number: 4251. Rockin' with Plas: The Capitol Singles (Capitol, 1957–59 ) This Must Be the Plas (Capitol, 1959) Mood for the Blues (Capitol, 1961) The Blues (Concord Jazz, 1975) Positively (Concord Jazz, 1976) L.A. '55 with the Grease Patrol (Carell Music, 1983) On the Trail! with Totti Bergh (Gemini, 1991 ) Hot, Blue and Saxy (Carell Music, 1992) Evening Delight (Carell Music, 1999) Christmas in Hollywood with Ernie Andrews (Carell Music, 2000) Keep That Groove Going! with Red Holloway (Milestone, 2001) All Blues with Ernie Watts (Mojo [Japan], 2008)

As Johnny Beecher Sax 5th Ave. (CRC Charter, 1962) On the Scene (CRC Charter, 1963)

As sideman With Ray Anthony Like Wild! (Capitol, 1960) With Chet Baker Blood, Chet and Tears (Verve, 1970) With Les Baxter Jungle Jazz (Capitol, 1958) With Benny Carter Aspects (United Artists, 1959) With Ry Cooder Paradise and Lunch (Reprise, 1974) With Sam Cooke Twistin' the Night Away (RCA, 1962) Mr. Soul (RCA, 1963) Ain't That Good News (RCA, 1964) With Rita Coolidge Rita Coolidge (A&M, 1971) With Clifford Coulter Do It Now! (Impulse!, 1971) With Bobby Darin Venice Blue (Capitol, 1965) With Nick DeCaro

With Neil Diamond The Christmas Album (Columbia, 1992) With Dr. John Gris-Gris (Atco, 1968) With Ella Fitzgerald Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Harold Arlen Songbook (Verve, 1961) Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Jerome Kern Song Book (Verve, 1963) Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Johnny Mercer Song Book (Verve, 1964) With Marvin Gaye Let's Get It On (Motown, 1973) With The Gene Harris All Star Big Band Tribute to Count Basie (Concord Jazz, 1988) With Etta James Deep in the Night (Warner Bros., 1978) With Elton John Duets (MCA, 1993) With B.B. King Blues in My Heart (Crown, 1963) L.A. Midnight (ABC, 1972) Live at the Apollo (MCA, 1991) With Carole King Music (Ode, 1971) Speeding Time (Atlantic, 1983) With Nicolette Larson Nicolette (Warner Bros., 1978) With Peggy Lee Blues Cross Country (Capitol, 1962) A Natural Woman (Capitol, 1969) With Henry Mancini The Music from Peter Gunn (RCA, 1958) More Music from Peter Gunn (RCA, 1959) Uniquely Mancini (RCA, 1963) The Pink Panther (RCA, 1964) Mancini '67 (RCA, 1966) The Party (RCA, 1968) With Teena Marie Emerald City (Epic, 1986) With The Marketts "Balboa Blue" (Union Records 504, 1962; reissue: Liberty 55443) With Les McCann Les McCann Plays the Hits (Limelight, 1966) Bucket o' Grease (Limelight, 1967) With Bette Midler Broken Blossom (Atlantic, 1977) With Liza Minnelli Tropical Nights (Columbia, 1977) With Joni Mitchell Travelogue (Nonesuch, 2002) With Maria Muldaur Waitress in a Donut Shop (Reprise, 1974) Sweet Harmony (Reprise, 1976)

With John Neel Blue Martini (Ava, 1963) With Aaron Neville Warm Your Heart (A&M, 1991) The Grand Tour (A&M, 1993) Aaron's Soulful Christmas (A&M, 1993) With The Platters The Great Pretender (Mercury, 1955) With Minnie Riperton Stay in Love (Epic, 1977) With Johnny Rivers New Lovers and Old Friends (Epic, 1975) With Shorty Rogers Gospel Mission (Capitol, 1963) With Linda Ronstadt What's New (Asylum, 1983) Lush Life (Asylum, 1984) For Sentimental Reasons (Asylum, 1986) Winter Light (Elektra, 1993) We Ran (Elektra, 1998) With Pete Rugolo 10 Saxophones and 2 Basses (Mercury, 1961) With Boz Scaggs Silk Degrees (Columbia, 1976) With Lalo Schifrin More Mission: Impossible (Paramount, 1968) Mannix (Paramount, 1968) With Rhoda Scott From C to Shining C (Doodlin' Records, 2009) With Steely Dan The Royal Scam (ABC, 1976) With Rod Stewart A Night on the Town (Warner Bros., 1976) Stardust: The Great American Songbook, Volume III (J Records, 2004) With Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson The Original Cleanhead (BluesTime, 1970) With Tom Waits Heartattack and Vine (Asylum, 1980) With Larry Williams Heebie Jeebies (1958) With Deniece Williams This Is Niecy (Columbia, 1976) With the Gerald Wilson Orchestra State Street Sweet (MAMA, 1995)