Lonnie Johnson produced records
probably longer than any other bluesman. He recorded with such notables
as Eddie Lang and Duke Ellington in the jazz idiom as well as creating a huge catalog of blues issues from the mid-twenties until his death some forty years later. Lonnie Johnson was the “governor” of blues guitar in the 1920’s. His playing combined incredibly fast melodic runs with evocative blues licks. His playing was the forerunner of jazz and rock guitar. Lonnie Johnson’s playing is highly challenging, provocative and exciting.