Gail Jhonson

Gail Jhonson was born in Philadelphia, PA. Her fascination with the piano began at 10. By 14, Gail had played her first gig. Since then, she’s traveled the world. Gail graduated from Berklee College of Music with a B.A. in Composition. She moved to Los Angeles, where she’s performed with Norman Brown, Mindi Abair, Bobby Womack, Ray Parker Jr., Pink, Milli Vanilli, Morris Day, and Rain Pryor. On TV - The Jay Leno Show, BET, several videos, Gospel Theatre, Jazz Festivals with Cindy Bradley, Peabo Bryson, Jeff Lorber, and Patti Austin. In 2010 and 2011, The American Black Music Association awarded Gail a Spotlight Award in Los Angeles as "Best Jazz Musician." Her daughter Tamina performed and won “Best Jazz Vocalist.” Gail’s CD “Pearls” garnered the nod in the 51st Annual Grammy Awards, a featured artist on the SummerStorm Tour, hosted by Norman Brown, for whom she has been music director for many years. Gail leads the female ensemble Jazz in P!nk, with Karen Briggs, Althea Rene, and Mariea Antoinette. Her band is "3 Piece Suit". She is an educator and author of 3 music method books; composer for the musical “Overcome, Overjoyed” -showing at The El Portal Theatre/North Hollywood.

www.gailjhonson.com

www.wijsf.org