Daily Dose Of Jazz…

Hank Johnson was born Stuart H. Tresser on July 14, 1949 in the Bushwick section of Brooklyn, New York. He began piano study early in life at age three with Mrs. Henryetta Klein as his first piano teacher. Graduating from George W. Wingate High School in 1967, he continued his education and in 1970 was awarded an AAS Degree in Graphic Arts and Advertising Technology, from New York City Community College. In 1973 a BFA degree was awarded from New York Institute of Technology, with a major in Communication Arts.

He continued his private piano instruction with classical pianist Ms. Malady, who taught piano at the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music. He also received lessons fromMorty Kessler, and Morty Reed, a showband pianist in Las Vegas, Nevada, as well as from Horace Parlan and Teddy Wilson..

Hank learned to write music, and developed the friendship and guidance of Ray Cox, who worked for Machito, as a copyist and arranger. In 1977 Johnson had replaced Jimmy Nottingham’s trio at the Village Door Restaurant and Supper Club in Jamaica, Queens, New York. It was at the Village Door that he got the hands-on experience that  ignited his passion to be the best piano player.

He founded the independent record label Jazzbone Records. Presently pianist Hank Johnson is the Director of Tresser Printing Office, a security printer, and a division of Tresser Music, music publishers.

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