Philadelphia Musicians Celebrate Life of Guitarist Jef Lee Johnson

The late, great guitarist Jef Lee Johnson

By A.D. AMOROSI

When Jef Lee Johnson passed away in January of 2013, the Philadelphia guitarist, composer and singer left behind a legacy that touched on nearly every form of music. While locals know Johnson for his solo albums and work on records from King Britt, Phil Roy, Melody Gardot and the Roots, the guitarist made his bones doing session work with D’Angelo, Billy Joel, Jeff Beck, George Duke, Roberta Flack, Erykah Badu, Esperanza Spalding, and The World's Most Dangerous Band from Late Night with David Letterman. Tonight, Wednesday, June 26, at 8:00 PM (door at 7:00 PM), Johnson’s friends and musical family remember him with The Rainbow Crow: A Tribute to Jef Lee Johnson at Underground Arts (1200 Callowhill St., Phila PA).

Link Roundup - Jazz Edition: President Obama, Prince, Chris' Jazz Café, Rufus Harley, Alan Segal, Jef Lee Johnson, Donald Byrd

By A.D. AMOROSI

Jazz comes in all shapes: hot, cool, noisy, serene. As America’s indigenous brand of classical music, jazz is an exceptional, unique sound in which to honor Presidents’ Day. For this special holiday roundup we celebrate Rufus Harley, Alan Segal, Chris' Jazz Café, Prince and the Montreux Jazz Festival, Jef Lee Johnson, Thomas Chapin and Donald Byrd. We're also highlighting an archival link featuring Presidents with jazz cats - photos include Richard Nixon with Duke Ellington, and Barack Obama with Sonny Rollins.

Link Roundup - Old School Edition: Oprah, Liza, Dick Van Dyke, Betty White, Jim Nabors

By GLAMOROSI

This week in our link roundup we're kicking it old school with news about celebs who have spent decades in the public eye: Oprah, Liza, Joel Gray, Robert Osborne, Betty White, Dick Van Dyke, Shirley Temple, Barbara Walters and Jim Nabors. We are also listening to the late, great guitarist Jef Lee Johnson. These stars made it to the top the old fashioned way, with talent, brains, hard work and moxie.

Legendary Guitarist Jef Lee Johnson Passes Away in Philadelphia

Jef Lee Johnson

By A.D. AMOROSI

Last night Philadelphia guitarist Jef Lee Johnson passed away at Roxborough Memorial Hospital due to complications from pneumonia and diabetes. He was 54 years old.