Album Notes

Jacques Saxman Johnson is an outstanding musician and educator, Producer and composer, with ten CD's to his credit.

JACQUES Johnson served twenty-seven and a half years in Army Bands. His last seventeen and a half years was in The United States Army Band, The Army's Premier Band. Retired Sergeant Major Johnson produced and directed The Army Blues, The Official Jazz Band of the Army. While in the U.S. Army Band, Mr. Johnson implemented the SOS Program in which band members went to high schools and colleges to teach students jazz improvisation and to teach instructors how to teach students jazz improvisation.

After retiring from the Army Jacques Saxman Johnson was the Associate Professor of Jazz Studies at the University of the District of Columbia for two years and he started a music program for Senior Citizens for the D.C. Department of Recreation.

At this time, Jacques Saxman Johnson is The Director off The Blues Alley Youth Orchestra and The Blues Alley Jazz Society. and has been the Assistant Band Director at Eastern Senior High School for eighteen years.

Jacques "Saxman" Johnson has performed with such greats as Bob Hope, The Coasters, Stanley Turrentine, The Drifters, Solomon Bert and studied with Frank Foster, former director of The Count Bassie Band.

Jacques Saxman Johnson Johnson's performing credits include: Night Clubs, Jazz and Blues Festivals, Concert Halls, Recordings for other Artists; Television and Radio in the United States and Europe.


William H. Clark, (Dr. Bill) is a native of Baltimore, Maryland. He began performing in the Baltimore area at an early age and eventually became the musical director for Jackie Wilson (Mr. Excitement), and accompanied many other artists such as Ruth Brown, Etta James, Johnny Hartman, and Clifton Davis.

In order to further advance his musical abilities and talents, Dr. Bill attended Morgan State University, Baltimore, Maryland, where he received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Music Education, with further graduate study at the Peabody Conservatory of Music, Baltimore, Maryland.

Dr. Bill began his teaching career in the state of South Carolina as a vocal and instrumental music teacher. He migrated to Denton, Maryland in the early 60's to teach instrumental music. He later moved to Prince George's County, Maryland where he served as an instrumental music instructor and a Pupil Personnel Specialist.

He continued his educational endeavors by earning a Master of Arts Degree in Guidance and Counseling from George Washington University, Washington, D.C., while continuing to perform in the local venues in the Washington and Baltimore area.

Dr. Bill continued his educational pursuits by earning a Doctorate of Education Degree from the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California and was later promoted to the position of Special Assistant to the Assistant Superintendent for Pupil Services for the Prince George's County Public Schools.

Dr. Bill is presently retired from the Prince George's County Public Schools and is enjoying life with his wife, Joyce, and their daughter, Sherri, while continuing to pursue his passion, MUSIC.