He moved to Oklahoma City in 1936 and jammed with Charlie Christian and Henry Bridges before joining Nat Towles's band.
[1] He also played with Count Basie, Cootie Williams, Lucky Millinder, and Bull Moose Jackson in the 1940s.
[1] His associations in the 1950s included Louis Jordan (1951), Lucky Thompson (1953), Sy Oliver, Buddy Johnson, Cozy Cole, Mercer Ellington, Little Esther (1956), and Panama Francis (for performances in Uruguay in 1953).
[1] In the 1960s Johnson played in the house band at the Apollo Theater in New York, and recorded with King Curtis in 1962.
[1] With Pearl Bailey With Cozy Cole With Buck Clayton With King Curtis With Duke Ellington With Duke Ellington Orchestra / Mercer Ellington With Louis Jordan With Barbara Lewis With Jack McDuff With Bull Moose Jackson With Lucky Millinder With Houston Person With Red Prysock With Jesse Stone With Lucky Thompson With Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson With Cootie Williams and His Orchestra