Plas Johnson

Born: 1931-07-21

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 performs on alto and baritone sax as well as various flutes and clarinets. Recruited by Johnny Otis and executive Dave Cavanaugh for Capitol Records in the mid-1950s, Johnson also played on innumerable records by Peggy Lee, Nat "King" Cole, Glen Gray, Frank Sinatra and others. He remained a leading session player for almost twenty years, averaging two sessions a day and playing everything from movie soundtracks and Les Baxter's exotica albums, to rock and roll singles by such artists as Ricky Nelson and Bobby Vee, and R&B records by such performers as Larry Williams, Bobby Day, and Richard Berry. He played on many of the Beach Boys’ records, and was an integral part of a number of instrumental groups that existed in name only, such as B. Bumble and the Stingers and The Marketts.


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Living Out Loud

as Jasper's House Band's Baritone Saxophonist
Released: 1998-10-30

Judith Moore is suddenly single after discovering her husband of fifteen years, a successful...

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The Wrecking Crew

as Self - Saxophone
Released: 2008-03-11

A celebration of the musical work of a group of session musicians known as "The Wrecking Crew."...

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