Dean Johnson

Dean Johnson is a jazz bassist known as a warm, dependable presence in the straight-ahead tradition. Born in 1956 in Seattle, he studied bass with Gary Peacock and attended the Berklee College of Music before moving to New York in 1980. His most prominent association was with saxophonist Gerry Mulligan, with whom he worked for more than a decade until Mulligan's death in 1996, playing in the quartet, nonet, and big band. He has also performed widely with the New York Voices, vocalist Kendra Shank, pianist Bill Mays, and the Blue Pipa Trio, appearing regularly at clubs such as Mezzrow. His playing emphasizes strong time, a singing tone, and supportive interplay.