Conrad Johnson Orchestra (CJO) Big Band from Houston, TX

The Conrad Johnson Orchestra (formally known as the Conrad O. Johnson Big Band and the Big Blue Sound) was formed in the mid 1960's. The band is composed of over 20 professional musicians who have been playing together for more than 30 years. The late Conrad Johnson's music style has contributed to the city's deep musical heritage that still shapes and influences the Houston Big Band Jazz sound today. The Conrad Johnson Orchestra has several recordings with the most recent being, "Got What It Takes". Now the Orchestra's performance repertoire includes more than 50 original charts and arrangements by Conrad Johnson and at least 6 arrangements from the Duke Ellington Sacred Series. This series is basically for church audiences and performances have been made in various churches throughout the Houston area, with and without vocals. The compilation or synthesis of down-home Texas blues and sophisticated jazz remains to be the trade mark of Conrad "Prof" Johnson's legacy. Prof's Orchestra's has performed with various musical greats, such as Joe Sample, Ronnie Laws, Hubert Laws, Kirk Whalum, Evert Harp, Wynton Marsalis, Steve Turre, Shelley Carroll and the late Lou Rawls and Roy Hamilton just to name a few. Currently, the Conrad Johnson Orchestra is being directed by James Williams, Jr. James has been an artist for over 4 decades and has traveled and performed with various big bands and other major artists. In abiding with the vision and spirit of the Conrad "Prof" Johnson music legacy, the orchestra provides grand entertainment and professional sound beyond measure for any event or occasion. Throughout the years, the Big Band has performed with various musical greats that include such artists as, Joe Sample, Ronnie and Hubert Laws, Kirk Whalum, Everette Harp, Wynton Marsalis, Steve Turre, Shelley Carroll, the late Lou Rawls and Roy Hamilton, Sean Jones, just to name a few.