J. J. Johnson

Johnson played with many big-name jazz musicians, including Count Basie, Miles Davis, and Oscar Pettiford. Johnson also released several albums with fellow trombonist Kai Winding, as well as several solo albums.

While the trombone was featured prominently in dixieland and swing music, it fell out of favor among bebop and later jazz fusion musicians. Johnson was arguably the most prominent – and proficient – bebop trombonist.

Johnson committed suicide. He was reportedly despondent over unsuccessful prostate cancer treatment.