Ski Johnson
Ski Johnson | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | Donald “Ski” Johnson October 28, 1966[1] |
| Occupation | Saxophonist |
| Website | skijohnson |
Donald Mitchell “Ski” Johnson (Born. October 28th, 1966)[1] is an American jazz Saxophonist,[2] producer, Record Executive and entrepreneur. He is the CEO of SJ Enterprises, LLC a marketing firm, Wide-A-Wake Record Label and the Director/Founder of the Brands the Sax Machine and the Ski Johnson Golf Apparel and casual wear. All company's fall under the umbrella of SJ Enterprises, LLC.[2] He is additionally the creator of an Organization “Jazz for Life Foundation”,[3] which brings about awareness of the cancer Epidemic, he started the organization after losing his parents to cancer.[4][2]
Personal Life and Education
Born in Washington, DC,[2] he lives with his 17-year-old daughter named Skylar Johnson,[1][5] in Potomac, MD, But he suffered from the disease alopecia at 12 years of age, as a result, he lost his Hair and was bullied tremendously being called as "Skee-Ball head." Johnson shortened and embraced that nickname.[1]
He attended Duke Ellington School of Arts for graduation.[1] After his formative education, Johnson studied music at Virginia Commonwealth University and followed that experience by attending Howard University.[4][2]
Musical Career
In 1988, while attending Howard University Ski Johnson started Wide-A-Wake Records with Larry Toye and Malcolm Alexander and released his first Album “Ski Johnson and Friends on the Rise”.[1] Which Featured Grammy Nominated Pianist Marc Cary and others. The Album was an instant Hit and was played on over 400 Radio Stations throughout the country. Followed by the release “Following a Rainbow” in 1989, both the albums gain heavy rotation on the WHUR RADIO in Washington DC.
In 1990 Ski Johnson release his first Live Album “Ski Johnson Live” and Started Producing and Sighing Rap and R&B acts to his Wide-A-Wake Records Label. That same year, after years on Washington's supper club and festival circuit, Johnson gained a measure of national exposure by joining R & B vocalist Brian McKnight and Walter Beasley on tour. Together with his band, he went on to tours with musicians like the Harper Brothers, Lo-Key, Freddie Jackson, Patti LaBelle, and more, all over the world.[1][2]
His album “Ski's Supreme”, released in 2000, featured Singers Tony Terry, Roy Ayers, Alyson Williams and Comic Huggy Low Down.[1]
In 2004 Ski Johnson Released “Welcome to My World” and Album Cover was featured in scenes in the Movie XXX2: State of the union with actors Samuel Jackson and Ice Cube.
In 2008, Ski Johnson released New Beginnings[6] and the album hit #1 on the Billboard Contemporary Jazz Charts and spent over 6 weeks on the Billboard Charts.[7] The album features notable musicians such as producer Antone “Chooky" Caldwell and Earth, Wind and Fire ‘s producer Paul Minor. Dedicated to the American Cancer Society.[6] Also, the “Underdogs on Top” released in 2012 peaked at #3 on the Billboard Contemporary Jazz charts and spent over 4 weeks on the Billboard charts.
In 2015 Ski Johnson released “Shake it like you mean it” featuring 3 times Grammy Winner Producer Deezle. In 2021 Ski Johnson Released his highly anticipated hit Album JAZZ For Life, produced by Songwriter Chilly Ed Beats featuring award-winning vocalists Emerald Khan, PhillinMe and Chilly Ed Beats.[8][9][1]
Legal Issues
In 2015, a jury convicted Johnson of wire fraud and sentenced him to five years’ probation, including six months of house arrest.[4][3] He reportedly claimed to be a Grammy-nominated artist[1][5] and lodging expenses several times between 2011 and 2014, according to federal prosecutors.[10]
According to federal prosecutors, In May 2012, Johnson called Barb Rooney, Vice President of the Big Sky Resort in Montana. Johnson contacted him under the alias Kevin Wright, identified himself as Johnson’s manager, a Grammy-nominated musician. Johnson offered two Grammy tickets to be auctioned off and he would donate a free Performance at the fundraiser organized by Big Brothers and Big Sisters and sending an Email on 1 day to a Big brothers Charity in Montana requesting for payment for a pair or Grammy tickets that Johnson paid for from the Recording Academy. Though Big Brother Big Sisters Never sent Johnson the money for the Tickets and Performed for free, he was charged with Wire Fraud. The courts ruled that because the tickets say on the back that they are non-Transferable. (“BBBS”).[11][4][10][2][3]
Critical reception
- Recording Academy 5 Year Recognition Award 2016
- The Mandela Award for Outstanding Business Services 2013
- Congressional Leadership and Outstanding Commitment to community service award 2015
- Cadillac Award 2013 Boys Town Executive Director Award 2013 VIP events Concierge Musician of the Year 2015.[12]
Making History
February 3, 2014, Ski Johnson made history becoming the first Saxophone Player to perform at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) Closing Bell.[1][5]
Discography
| Year | Title |
|---|---|
| 1988 | Ski Johnson and Friends on the Rise |
| 1989 | Following A Rainbow |
| 1992 | Ski Johnson Live |
| 1993 | Tell Me Something Good |
| 1994 | In your Eyes |
| 1998 | I feel you Man |
| 2000 | Ski's Supreme |
| 2004 | Welcome to My World |
| 2009 | New Beginnings |
| 2012 | Underdogs on Top |
| 2015 | Shake it like you mean it |
| 2021 | Jazz for life |
TV Appearances
Ski Johnson’s tv show "Living it up with Ski Johnson" announced on OCT 6th, 2010.[13] Johnson is also profiled in the episode of CNBC’s “American Greed”.
- Real Housewives of Potomac[14]
- BET[1]
- Good Morning America[1]
- CBS[15]
- Fox 5[16]
- NYSE[17][1]
- CNBC American Greed (S11 E15)[18][3]
Charitable Contributions
BoysTown, PetConnect Rescue, National Guard Youth Foundation, USO, NGLCC, New Yorks Womens Foundation, The Balm in Gilead, Georgetown Jingle, A World Fit for Kids Los Angeles, Shadows and Everybody Wins.[12]
In the media
References
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 "Show Biz Corner - Entertainment, Sports, Politics, Technology and Business". showbizcorner.com. Retrieved 26 March 2022.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 Published, Caroline John- (17 July 2018). "Ski Johnson's Wiki: Facts about the Jazz Saxophonist". Earn The Necklace. Retrieved 26 March 2022.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Cohn, Scott (29 July 2017). "American Greed Report: Hoping to score a prime ticket? Here's how to protect yourself". CNBC. Retrieved 26 March 2022.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 "Ski Johnson – 360WiSE Brand Marketing". 360wise. Retrieved 26 March 2022.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 "Ski Johnson Net Worth, Age, Birthday, Wikipedia, Who, Nationality, Biography | TG Time". TG Time | tvguidetime.com (in Türkçe). 4 January 2022. Retrieved 26 March 2022.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Jazz, All About. "Jazz news: Ski Johnson Celebrates New CD with Washington DC Release Party". All About Jazz. Retrieved 26 March 2022.
- ↑ Inc, Nielsen Business Media (18 July 2009). "Billboard". books.google. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Retrieved 26 March 2022.
{{cite web}}:|last1=has generic name (help) - ↑ "Saxophonist Ski Johnson To Release "Jazz For Life"". NewJerseyStage.com. 11 May 2021. Retrieved 26 March 2022.
- ↑ "Ski Johnson 'La Via Est Belle'". New Music Radio Network. 14 June 2021. Retrieved 26 March 2022.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 "Charity con man can be asked to pay restitution, court rules". The Seattle Times. 24 April 2017. Retrieved 26 March 2022.
- ↑ "FindLaw's United States Ninth Circuit case and opinions". Findlaw. Retrieved 26 March 2022.
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 "ski Johnson #1 billboard and Grammy considered jazz artist A Jazz Superstar!, SKI JOHNSON THE JAZZ FOR LIFE FUND". www.skijohnson.us. Retrieved 26 March 2022.
- ↑ "LIVING IT UP WITH SKI JOHNSON". IMDb. Retrieved 26 March 2022.
- ↑ "SKI JOHNSON ON BRAVOS THE REAL HOUSEWIVES OF POTOMAC!". youtube. Retrieved 26 March 2022.
- ↑ "SKI JOHNSON INTERVIEW WITH CBS AT THE 54TH GRAMMY AWARDS!". youtube. Retrieved 26 March 2022.
- ↑ "SKI JOHNSON LIVE ON FOX NEWS!". youtube. Retrieved 26 March 2022.
- ↑ "The National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce rings the NYSE Closing Bell". youtube. Retrieved 26 March 2022.
- ↑ "Red Carpet Rip-Off". American Greed. 31 July 2017. Retrieved 26 March 2022.