Maureen Kellen-Taylor Reports: Drummer Clarence Johnston Receives Living Legends of Jazz Award

There are certain times when you walk into a room and, empty though it is, you just know that great things have happened there; stories swirl around the empty tables and chairs and onto the small stage. You feel their presence and, with an air of expectancy, sit down at your assigned table. Soon the room fills with people, interesting people, greeting each other, waving across the room, moving sound equipment and instruments onto the stage. The room is alive, the stories begin to speak, and as the lights dim, the MC for the evening announces the start of the “Jazzerbration” arranged by Linda Morgan of the Living Legends Foundation. It is the night to honor three Living Legends of Jazz at the Regency West Supper Club in Los  Angeles.

I feel very fortunate because I am sitting with one of them – Clarence Johnston – CJ, percussionist extraordinaire – and his wife and manager Katy, and I see the people coming over to greet them. A debonair gentleman in a white suit, hat and shoes set off by a bright pink tie and matching hatband, comes to pay his respects. He later sings and does a unique dance that sets the audience screaming.

After each person chats briefly with CJ and Katy, he quietly comments, “Fine musician (or singer or…)!” His genuine appreciation mirrors theirs for him. A guitarist, a singer, and a young drummer from Australia join our table, as well as a couple of residents from Cantabria Senior Apartments. We all shake hands and beam with shared excitement.

The MC tells stories about the Central Avenue jazz scene and acknowledges the movers and shakers – some of whom are with us in the room and some who have passed on. A very special history of music and the unique part it played in Los Angeles is unfolding before my eyes and ears, as musicians take the stage to perform and themselves tell stories. They represent the musical tradition of more than sixty years and are passing it on to the younger generations of very accomplished musicians. One of these, a virtuoso drummer, dazzles us with his performance then humbly thanks his teacher and mentor, who is sitting next to me with a wide smile on his face.

When I was a young student far away in England, in my inevitable collection of LPs, the one I played the most, was “Sketches of Spain” with Miles Davis – and Clarence “CJ” Johnston. I never dreamed that here and now, all these years and thousands of miles later, I would be with CJ to honor him.

Tributes are paid to Gloria Cadena and Elliott Chavers for their roles in jazz and they take their rightful places in the historical tapestry that is being woven by the music and the stories. Finally, it is time put CJ, who has been relishing the evening as an audience member, into the spotlight. The first person to introduce him mentions that his discography is so long that it is impossible to read off all the titles in the time allotted that evening. This I know because I had looked them up myself. The second person relates what a kind man CJ is and how he has helped many musicians in their careers. They both praise his extraordinary musicianship. The jazz drummer from Australia leans over to whisper that CJ is still the very best.

It is my turn and my privilege to tell the audience about other little known aspects of CJ, about his talent and his generosity of spirit in his work with EngAGE. How he shares his love of music with the seniors that we serve. They come to his drumming circles held all over the city because he brings joy to their lives and makes them want to get up and dance. They remember times in their earlier lives and tell their stories  – “This beat reminds me of washing clothes in the river!”- that enlighten their neighbors and bring them all closer.

CJ once told me that jazz comes from the heart – I see that in his heartfelt work with seniors and their grandchildren. That night at the Regency West, I also felt the heartbeat of Central Avenue, and shared in a special time and place in Los Angeles. I remember with gratitude.

An eyewitness account by Maureen Kellen-Taylor.