About Me
My name is Jervel Johnson. I am 28 years old. Born in Plymouth on the Island of Montserrat, West Indies, I grew up in the village of Salem with my parents and three brothers.I was born into the local church which I attended with my family; My Mother, was head of young peoples ministry, a Sunday school teacher, choir director, and song writer, so Id say my musical interest derived from here; firstly singing in the childrens choir then playing drums in Salem.
My cousin was the church bass player and when he immigrated to America in 1991 the worship through music, and the drums were missing the sound of the bass. I was missing the sound of the bass. I wanted to learn another instrument; so with my mothers encouragement in getting me my first bass and amp, I began my journey as a passionate bass playing musician in 1991.I taught myself to play Bass. Stuttering over notes on my new guitar whilst echoing the sound of the bass to a collection of music we had in our family home.Between then and now I have developed tastes for all types of music and expanded and improved my styles of playing; choking, muting, dampening, slapping, plucking, holding chords, picking and harmonics to name a few. I have expanded my knowledge of music through paid and unpaid sessions with groups of many genres including Blues, Calypso, Funk, Gospel, Indie, Jazz, Pop, Reggae, RnB, Rock and Soul. My influences are Fred Hammond, Victor Wooten, Anthony Jackson, Marcus Miller, Victor Bailey, John Patatucci, Jaco Pastorious and Morris FitzGerald to name a few.When we moved to England in 1996, my family and I attended a church in Tottenham where our skills were put to good use. My mum was the Choir Director and I took the responsibility of being Music Director. Mum and I worked closely with the Youth Choir; writing and composing songs for them to achieve their first album the following year.Through hard work and determination over the following years, I was called upon to play Bass in different churches worldwide Canada, America, St-Kitts, Antigua, Montserrat and various places of worship in England.In 2002 I was offered a job with Nationwide and moved to Birmingham. I met one Clyde Spencer, a singer from America. We formed a band holding regular, intense rehearsals and gigged every Wednesday, and on Saturdays at the Hard Rock Café in the City Centre. The band was together for just over one year before Clyde got his break and went to sing with the Drifters.
We all moved on.In 2004 I moved to Leeds; Finding my feet in a new City, I worked for a mortgage company for a year before I was made redundant. This was the point at which I decided to become a full time musician. I joined a few agencies and looked for work myself using the internet and by word of mouth.During this time of networking, I became a session musician. I love my job; working with local bands and solo artists doing both studio recordings and live performances.I currently work with four bands and do regular work for three sol artists; T;funk, Kathryn Addams and Kelly Mueller.Through audition in response to an ad in a recording studio in Leeds, I became a member of Heart and Soul in 2004. A cover band of 5 musicians, we tour England and Wales doing corporate gigs, Holiday Camps, Pubs, Clubs and Weddings. The style we mainly play is RnB/Soul/Funk and Rock n Roll.Through audition in response to an Internet ad for a bass player and backing vocalist, I became the 4th member of Leeds band; The Fret; an Indie inspired band who perform in local bars and pubs, earning us loyal fans. We came 3rd in 2005 Northern HMV battle of the bands.Elastic Band and The Cosmic Dogs are Sister Bands.
Cosmic Dogs consist of 9 members. We have been together for two years and mainly play at festivals and fates in the North.
Elastic Band is a stretched band; the guitarist, drum player, keyboard player and I are permanent members. We form the backbone of a band that plays music of all genres including Swing/Rock/Funk/Blues/Country/Merenguie/Salsa/Latin/Regae/Hi
p-hop. We use rotating musicians for our Festival, party and corporate gigs. Although we all sing, we use rotating session musicians singers, violinists, percussionists, saxophonists, trombonists, harmonicas, trumpetsand the list goes on.Talented musicians coming together to Jam. We have little rehearsal with this band (although our audience would never know!). We played for Nate James November 2005.I also play with the Voices In Praise Gospel Choir on a weekly basis and at any special events the choir is asked to perform. The most recent performances being a live show in East Yorkshire for ITV (December 2005), and a recording in front of a live audience at the Leeds Town Hall for BBC Leeds (April 2006).With 16 years of Playing Bass Guitar and just 28 years life experience, I have the determination and will to raise the bar in all situations with my Bass. My soloing is improving daily, and through my gospel background, my work with Elastic band and consistent recommendations, opportunities and showcases; Improvisation is my forte, Dedication is my play.Up and coming projects are always on the go. I am currently rehearsing with Kelly Mueller for her tours in Europe in May and June (dates tbc) and China commencing 29th July.Music is my life. I just ask God to continue to keep my humble in my ambition to be heard.
