Johnson's primary era of recording activity as a vocalist was from 1923 to 1927. Prior to this, she had worked in vaudeville. She is best known for her recording of the song, "Dead Drunk Blues". Her main output was released on the Okeh and Victor labels.
Biography
She recorded with the harmonica player Bobby Leecan and guitarist Robert Cooksey, playing country blues; she also did several recordings with New Orleans jazz ensembles which included Sidney Bechet, Clarence Williams, Louis Armstrong, Bubber Miley, and Tom Morris. In 1924, she recorded "Absent Minded Blues", which was written by Tom Delaney, and another of his compositions, "Nobody Knows the Way I Feel This Mornin'". She was accompanied by Williams on these recordings. She and Clarence Williams also played with the Jazz Rippers, Buddy Christian's ensemble, although Williams was not credited and Johnson was listed under the name Margaret Carter. Her songs were often humorous and sexually suggestive in tone.
Margaret Johnson is the executive creative director and partner at Goodby, Silverstein & Partners. She is the first new partner in over a decade and the agency's first-ever female partner. In 2012, Business Insider recognized Johnson as the 10th most powerful woman in advertising.
Early life
Johnson graduated from University of North Carolina with a B.A. in journalism and mass communication. She then went on to obtain a degree in art direction at the Portfolio Center in Atlanta, Georgia.
Career
Johnson's first job was as a freelancer at Leanord Monohan Lubars & Kelly where she worked closely with her idol, Jeremy Postaer. At this Rhode Island based agency, Johnson worked on accounts like Keds Shoes and Polaroid.
Johnson then moved to The Richards Group in Dallas, Texas where she applied her expertise to the work of video games such as Doom and Quake.
After a couple of years at The Richards Group, Johnson accepted a position at Goodby Silverstein & Partners. She was advised to join Goodby, Silverstein & Partners by acquaintances met during her time with Leanord Monohan Lubars & Kelly.
According to The Rough Guide to Jazz, Johnson was one of the pioneering female figures in jazz. Her piano style was tasteful and, according to those who heard her live, effortless. She was nicknamed "Countess," and even "Queenie". She was a powerful musician whose style recalls both Basie and Earl Hines. She died of tuberculosis in 1939.
From the Oh, Run Into Me, But Don't Hurt Me!: Female Blues Singers (Rarities 1923 - 1930) (2008)
Margaret Johnson was one of the few female vocalists of her era that made records with a strong country blues influence, particulary the collaborations involving the harmonica-and-guitar team of Bobby Leecan and Robert Cooksey. Her complete works (1923-1927) released on the Document label include 23 pieces, but strangely the two featured here (Dead Drunk Blues & Second-Handed Blues) are not found on that album. ~ from the liner notes
Recorded February 14, 1927 in New York
Margaret Johnson - Vocals
Mike Jackson - Piano
Robert Cooksey - Harmonica
Bobby Leecan - Guitar
Photos: William Henry Jackson; Alfred Stieglitz; Marion Post Wolcott; found images
published: 02 Mar 2012
Edith Johnson Good Chib Blues (1929)
I do not own the copyright to this recording. This video is for historical and educational purposes only.
Composed by Edith Johnson
Edith Johnson:Vocals
Ike Rodgers:Trombone
Prob. Roosevelt Sykes:Piano
Recorded in Richmond, IN. Saturday, September 7, 1929
Originally issued on the 1929 single (Paramount 12864) (78 RPM) Reissued on (Paramount 105) and (Century 3021) (78 RPM)
This recording taken from the 1997 CD "I Can't Be Satisfied, Vol. 2"
published: 28 Jan 2014
Good Chib Blues
Provided to YouTube by Virgin Music Group
Good Chib Blues · Edith North Johnson
I Can't Be Satisfied: Early American Women Blues Singers - Town & Country, Vol. 2
℗ 1997 Shanachie
Released on: 1997-04-22
Writer: Clara Smith
Auto-generated by YouTube.
published: 25 May 2021
Margaret Johnson - Absent Minded Blues (1924)
This is OKeh 8162-B, featuring Margaret Johnson accompanied by the Clarence Williams Harmonizers (a similar group to the Blue Five), recorded September 5th 1924. It is from my own collection and the audio has not been modified in any way.
published: 26 Jun 2013
Absent Minded Blues
Provided to YouTube by Xelon Entertainment
Absent Minded Blues · Margaret Johnson
Nobody's Blues but Mine
℗ 2021 Archive
Released on: 2021-04-30
Auto-generated by YouTube.
published: 29 Apr 2021
Margaret Johnson & The Black And Blue Trio "When A Gator Holler, Folks Say It's A Sign Of Rain"
Margaret Johnson & The Black And Blue Trio "When A Gator Holler, Folks Say It's A Sign Of Rain"
published: 16 Jun 2017
E Flat Blues
Provided to YouTube by Xelon Entertainment
E Flat Blues · Margaret Johnson
Nobody's Blues but Mine
℗ 2021 Archive
Released on: 2021-04-30
Auto-generated by YouTube.
published: 29 Apr 2021
Graysom Street Blues
Provided to YouTube by The Orchard Enterprises
Graysom Street Blues · Margaret Johnson
Margaret Johnson (1923-1927)
℗ 1996 Document Records
Released on: 2005-07-05
Auto-generated by YouTube.
published: 08 Nov 2014
If I Let You Get Away With It
Provided to YouTube by The Orchard Enterprises
If I Let You Get Away With It · Margaret Johnson
Sidney Bechet with Clarence Williams 1923
℗ 2009 M.A.T. Music Theme Licensing Ltd
Released on: 2009-09-01
Music Publisher: B Feldman And Co Ltd
Music Publisher: WILLIAMS-CLARENCE-MUSIC PUBL C
Auto-generated by YouTube.
From the Oh, Run Into Me, But Don't Hurt Me!: Female Blues Singers (Rarities 1923 - 1930) (2008)
Margaret Johnson was one of the few female vocalists of her er...
From the Oh, Run Into Me, But Don't Hurt Me!: Female Blues Singers (Rarities 1923 - 1930) (2008)
Margaret Johnson was one of the few female vocalists of her era that made records with a strong country blues influence, particulary the collaborations involving the harmonica-and-guitar team of Bobby Leecan and Robert Cooksey. Her complete works (1923-1927) released on the Document label include 23 pieces, but strangely the two featured here (Dead Drunk Blues & Second-Handed Blues) are not found on that album. ~ from the liner notes
Recorded February 14, 1927 in New York
Margaret Johnson - Vocals
Mike Jackson - Piano
Robert Cooksey - Harmonica
Bobby Leecan - Guitar
Photos: William Henry Jackson; Alfred Stieglitz; Marion Post Wolcott; found images
From the Oh, Run Into Me, But Don't Hurt Me!: Female Blues Singers (Rarities 1923 - 1930) (2008)
Margaret Johnson was one of the few female vocalists of her era that made records with a strong country blues influence, particulary the collaborations involving the harmonica-and-guitar team of Bobby Leecan and Robert Cooksey. Her complete works (1923-1927) released on the Document label include 23 pieces, but strangely the two featured here (Dead Drunk Blues & Second-Handed Blues) are not found on that album. ~ from the liner notes
Recorded February 14, 1927 in New York
Margaret Johnson - Vocals
Mike Jackson - Piano
Robert Cooksey - Harmonica
Bobby Leecan - Guitar
Photos: William Henry Jackson; Alfred Stieglitz; Marion Post Wolcott; found images
I do not own the copyright to this recording. This video is for historical and educational purposes only.
Composed by Edith Johnson
Edith Johnson:Vocals
Ike...
I do not own the copyright to this recording. This video is for historical and educational purposes only.
Composed by Edith Johnson
Edith Johnson:Vocals
Ike Rodgers:Trombone
Prob. Roosevelt Sykes:Piano
Recorded in Richmond, IN. Saturday, September 7, 1929
Originally issued on the 1929 single (Paramount 12864) (78 RPM) Reissued on (Paramount 105) and (Century 3021) (78 RPM)
This recording taken from the 1997 CD "I Can't Be Satisfied, Vol. 2"
I do not own the copyright to this recording. This video is for historical and educational purposes only.
Composed by Edith Johnson
Edith Johnson:Vocals
Ike Rodgers:Trombone
Prob. Roosevelt Sykes:Piano
Recorded in Richmond, IN. Saturday, September 7, 1929
Originally issued on the 1929 single (Paramount 12864) (78 RPM) Reissued on (Paramount 105) and (Century 3021) (78 RPM)
This recording taken from the 1997 CD "I Can't Be Satisfied, Vol. 2"
Provided to YouTube by Virgin Music Group
Good Chib Blues · Edith North Johnson
I Can't Be Satisfied: Early American Women Blues Singers - Town & Country, Vol...
Provided to YouTube by Virgin Music Group
Good Chib Blues · Edith North Johnson
I Can't Be Satisfied: Early American Women Blues Singers - Town & Country, Vol. 2
℗ 1997 Shanachie
Released on: 1997-04-22
Writer: Clara Smith
Auto-generated by YouTube.
Provided to YouTube by Virgin Music Group
Good Chib Blues · Edith North Johnson
I Can't Be Satisfied: Early American Women Blues Singers - Town & Country, Vol. 2
℗ 1997 Shanachie
Released on: 1997-04-22
Writer: Clara Smith
Auto-generated by YouTube.
This is OKeh 8162-B, featuring Margaret Johnson accompanied by the Clarence Williams Harmonizers (a similar group to the Blue Five), recorded September 5th 1924...
This is OKeh 8162-B, featuring Margaret Johnson accompanied by the Clarence Williams Harmonizers (a similar group to the Blue Five), recorded September 5th 1924. It is from my own collection and the audio has not been modified in any way.
This is OKeh 8162-B, featuring Margaret Johnson accompanied by the Clarence Williams Harmonizers (a similar group to the Blue Five), recorded September 5th 1924. It is from my own collection and the audio has not been modified in any way.
Provided to YouTube by Xelon Entertainment
Absent Minded Blues · Margaret Johnson
Nobody's Blues but Mine
℗ 2021 Archive
Released on: 2021-04-30
Auto-gener...
Provided to YouTube by Xelon Entertainment
Absent Minded Blues · Margaret Johnson
Nobody's Blues but Mine
℗ 2021 Archive
Released on: 2021-04-30
Auto-generated by YouTube.
Provided to YouTube by Xelon Entertainment
Absent Minded Blues · Margaret Johnson
Nobody's Blues but Mine
℗ 2021 Archive
Released on: 2021-04-30
Auto-generated by YouTube.
Provided to YouTube by Xelon Entertainment
E Flat Blues · Margaret Johnson
Nobody's Blues but Mine
℗ 2021 Archive
Released on: 2021-04-30
Auto-generated by...
Provided to YouTube by Xelon Entertainment
E Flat Blues · Margaret Johnson
Nobody's Blues but Mine
℗ 2021 Archive
Released on: 2021-04-30
Auto-generated by YouTube.
Provided to YouTube by Xelon Entertainment
E Flat Blues · Margaret Johnson
Nobody's Blues but Mine
℗ 2021 Archive
Released on: 2021-04-30
Auto-generated by YouTube.
Provided to YouTube by The Orchard Enterprises
Graysom Street Blues · Margaret Johnson
Margaret Johnson (1923-1927)
℗ 1996 Document Records
Released on: 200...
Provided to YouTube by The Orchard Enterprises
Graysom Street Blues · Margaret Johnson
Margaret Johnson (1923-1927)
℗ 1996 Document Records
Released on: 2005-07-05
Auto-generated by YouTube.
Provided to YouTube by The Orchard Enterprises
Graysom Street Blues · Margaret Johnson
Margaret Johnson (1923-1927)
℗ 1996 Document Records
Released on: 2005-07-05
Auto-generated by YouTube.
Provided to YouTube by The Orchard Enterprises
If I Let You Get Away With It · Margaret Johnson
Sidney Bechet with Clarence Williams 1923
℗ 2009 M.A.T. Music...
Provided to YouTube by The Orchard Enterprises
If I Let You Get Away With It · Margaret Johnson
Sidney Bechet with Clarence Williams 1923
℗ 2009 M.A.T. Music Theme Licensing Ltd
Released on: 2009-09-01
Music Publisher: B Feldman And Co Ltd
Music Publisher: WILLIAMS-CLARENCE-MUSIC PUBL C
Auto-generated by YouTube.
Provided to YouTube by The Orchard Enterprises
If I Let You Get Away With It · Margaret Johnson
Sidney Bechet with Clarence Williams 1923
℗ 2009 M.A.T. Music Theme Licensing Ltd
Released on: 2009-09-01
Music Publisher: B Feldman And Co Ltd
Music Publisher: WILLIAMS-CLARENCE-MUSIC PUBL C
Auto-generated by YouTube.
From the Oh, Run Into Me, But Don't Hurt Me!: Female Blues Singers (Rarities 1923 - 1930) (2008)
Margaret Johnson was one of the few female vocalists of her era that made records with a strong country blues influence, particulary the collaborations involving the harmonica-and-guitar team of Bobby Leecan and Robert Cooksey. Her complete works (1923-1927) released on the Document label include 23 pieces, but strangely the two featured here (Dead Drunk Blues & Second-Handed Blues) are not found on that album. ~ from the liner notes
Recorded February 14, 1927 in New York
Margaret Johnson - Vocals
Mike Jackson - Piano
Robert Cooksey - Harmonica
Bobby Leecan - Guitar
Photos: William Henry Jackson; Alfred Stieglitz; Marion Post Wolcott; found images
I do not own the copyright to this recording. This video is for historical and educational purposes only.
Composed by Edith Johnson
Edith Johnson:Vocals
Ike Rodgers:Trombone
Prob. Roosevelt Sykes:Piano
Recorded in Richmond, IN. Saturday, September 7, 1929
Originally issued on the 1929 single (Paramount 12864) (78 RPM) Reissued on (Paramount 105) and (Century 3021) (78 RPM)
This recording taken from the 1997 CD "I Can't Be Satisfied, Vol. 2"
Provided to YouTube by Virgin Music Group
Good Chib Blues · Edith North Johnson
I Can't Be Satisfied: Early American Women Blues Singers - Town & Country, Vol. 2
℗ 1997 Shanachie
Released on: 1997-04-22
Writer: Clara Smith
Auto-generated by YouTube.
This is OKeh 8162-B, featuring Margaret Johnson accompanied by the Clarence Williams Harmonizers (a similar group to the Blue Five), recorded September 5th 1924. It is from my own collection and the audio has not been modified in any way.
Provided to YouTube by Xelon Entertainment
Absent Minded Blues · Margaret Johnson
Nobody's Blues but Mine
℗ 2021 Archive
Released on: 2021-04-30
Auto-generated by YouTube.
Provided to YouTube by Xelon Entertainment
E Flat Blues · Margaret Johnson
Nobody's Blues but Mine
℗ 2021 Archive
Released on: 2021-04-30
Auto-generated by YouTube.
Provided to YouTube by The Orchard Enterprises
Graysom Street Blues · Margaret Johnson
Margaret Johnson (1923-1927)
℗ 1996 Document Records
Released on: 2005-07-05
Auto-generated by YouTube.
Provided to YouTube by The Orchard Enterprises
If I Let You Get Away With It · Margaret Johnson
Sidney Bechet with Clarence Williams 1923
℗ 2009 M.A.T. Music Theme Licensing Ltd
Released on: 2009-09-01
Music Publisher: B Feldman And Co Ltd
Music Publisher: WILLIAMS-CLARENCE-MUSIC PUBL C
Auto-generated by YouTube.
Johnson's primary era of recording activity as a vocalist was from 1923 to 1927. Prior to this, she had worked in vaudeville. She is best known for her recording of the song, "Dead Drunk Blues". Her main output was released on the Okeh and Victor labels.
Biography
She recorded with the harmonica player Bobby Leecan and guitarist Robert Cooksey, playing country blues; she also did several recordings with New Orleans jazz ensembles which included Sidney Bechet, Clarence Williams, Louis Armstrong, Bubber Miley, and Tom Morris. In 1924, she recorded "Absent Minded Blues", which was written by Tom Delaney, and another of his compositions, "Nobody Knows the Way I Feel This Mornin'". She was accompanied by Williams on these recordings. She and Clarence Williams also played with the Jazz Rippers, Buddy Christian's ensemble, although Williams was not credited and Johnson was listed under the name Margaret Carter. Her songs were often humorous and sexually suggestive in tone.