PHOTOS: HOWARD LAMBERT | The Trinity Artist Series at Trinity Episcopal Church is one of the great weekly events that happen in New Orleans. For years, they have brought in world-class talent for free concerts on Sunday evenings. This week is extra special as saxophonist Calvin Johnson, one of the leading lights of the next generation of New Orleans musicians, is pulling out all the stops with a great production.
Johnson has put together an impressive Christmas program, which will be augmented by two very special guests—trombonist and vocalist Glen David Andrews and the Dirty Dozen Brass Band. The show will feature ten musicians including a string section. It benefits Habitat for Humanity and will be broadcast on WWOZ, 90.7 FM.
30-year old Calvin Johnson, Jr. comes from another illustrious musical family in New Orleans. His grandfather George Augustus “Son” Johnson led Works Progress Administration bands during the Great Depression and taught at the famed Grumswald School of Music. Four of his uncles are well-known musicians as well.
As a youngster Johnson studied at the Louis Armstrong Jazz Camp and New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Foundation’s School of Music before matriculating through the New Orleans Center for the Creative Arts (NOCCA) where he studied under Clyde Kerr, Jr. and Kent Jordan.
He has toured and/or recorded with the likes of Harry Connick Jr., Aaron Neville, Jason Derulo, Mannie Fresh, Mystikal, Irvin Mayfield, the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra, the Dirty Dozen Brass Band, and Bob French and the Original Tuxedo Jazz Band.
The concert at Trinity begins at 5 PM.
