Richard Johnson

Richard Johnson Born in Pittsburgh, home to jazz greats Art Blakey, Ray Brown, Jeff "Tain" Watts, and Ahmad
Jamal, Richard D. Johnson has deep territorial jazz roots. He was first introduced to the piano at the age of five by his father, a gospel pianist from Baltimore, MD. Since then, he has cultivated a rich musical background, studying under some of the most legendary jazz musicians and at
prestigious institutions. After receiving a scholarship and graduating from the Berklee College of Music in just two years, Richard entered the Boston Conservatory, earning a Master’s degree in Jazz Pedagogy in three semesters. He then received an Artist Performance Diploma from the
Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz Performance at New England Conservatory under the direction of the influential Ron Carter.

Richard was invited to become a member of Wynton Marsalis' Septet and the Jazz at Lincoln
Center Orchestra, which he joined from 2000–2003. He also performed with the Russell Malone Quartet, Delfeayo Marsalis Quintet, and the Bobby Watson Quartet. After completing these tenures, Richard founded the Reach Afar program for young people ages 7–17, educating them
about elements of jazz in hip-hop.

He has traveled extensively, sharing jazz with audiences around the world. As a U.S. State Department Musical Ambassador, Richard performed in over 92 countries, including Central and South America, Africa, and the Middle East. During this time, he accompanied jazz icons such as
Wayne Shorter, Herbie Hancock, Jimmy Heath, and Stevie Wonder. In 2005, he became the musical director for Atlanta Spirit LLC, creating a live five-member band for the NBA and performing at all 46 home games and related events. Richard’s international work continued in Doha, Qatar, where he performed at Jazz at Lincoln Center and was appointed acting on-site Jazz Ambassador at the St. Regis Doha Hotel.

He is currently an Associate Jazz Professor at the Peabody Conservatory of Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, MD, and the 2025 Fellow winner of Public Engagement Speaker for the university. An accomplished composer and arranger, Richard has released eight recordings, including his latest CD Warm Embrace (2025). He holds an M.M. in Spanish (May 2025) and is
pursuing a Doctorate in Leadership and Curriculum. Richard is a Yamaha-endorsed piano artist and will soon launch his podcast, Music is Business...What is this?

Your host, Dion Parson is an educator, composer, Grammy Award-winning performer, and bandleader. He currently resides on the island of St. Thomas and serves as the Chair of the Communication and Performing Arts Department at the University of the Virgin Islands. He is also the President of the United Jazz Foundation, which is a music education organization that mentors underprivileged kids to become musicians. His musical career has allowed him to tour internationally for over 30 years, and he has been recorded on over 110 recordings.

Richard Johnson Born in Pittsburgh, home to jazz greats Art Blakey, Ray Brown, Jeff "Tain" Watts, and Ahmad Jamal, Richard D. Johnson has deep territorial jazz roots. He was first introduced to the piano at the age of five by his father, a gospel pianist from Baltimore, MD. Since then, he has cultivated a rich musical background, studying under some of the most legendary jazz musicians and at prestigious institutions. After receiving a scholarship and graduating from the Berklee College of Music in just two years, Richard entered the Boston Conservatory, earning a Master’s degree in Jazz Pedagogy in three semesters. He then received an Artist Performance Diploma from the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz Performance at New England Conservatory under the direction of the influential Ron Carter. Richard was invited to become a member of Wynton Marsalis' Septet and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, which he joined from 2000–2003. He also performed with the Russell Malone Quartet, Delfeayo Marsalis Quintet, and the Bobby Watson Quartet. After completing these tenures, Richard founded the Reach Afar program for young people ages 7–17, educating them about elements of jazz in hip-hop. He has traveled extensively, sharing jazz with audiences around the world. As a U.S. State Department Musical Ambassador, Richard performed in over 92 countries, including Central and South America, Africa, and the Middle East. During this time, he accompanied jazz icons such as Wayne Shorter, Herbie Hancock, Jimmy Heath, and Stevie Wonder. In 2005, he became the musical director for Atlanta Spirit LLC, creating a live five-member band for the NBA and performing at all 46 home games and related events. Richard’s international work continued in Doha, Qatar, where he performed at Jazz at Lincoln Center and was appointed acting on-site Jazz Ambassador at the St. Regis Doha Hotel. He is currently an Associate Jazz Professor at the Peabody Conservatory of Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, MD, and the 2025 Fellow winner of Public Engagement Speaker for the university. An accomplished composer and arranger, Richard has released eight recordings, including his latest CD Warm Embrace (2025). He holds an M.M. in Spanish (May 2025) and is pursuing a Doctorate in Leadership and Curriculum. Richard is a Yamaha-endorsed piano artist and will soon launch his podcast, Music is Business...What is this? Your host, Dion Parson is an educator, composer, Grammy Award-winning performer, and bandleader. He currently resides on the island of St. Thomas and serves as the Chair of the Communication and Performing Arts Department at the University of the Virgin Islands. He is also the President of the United Jazz Foundation, which is a music education organization that mentors underprivileged kids to become musicians. His musical career has allowed him to tour internationally for over 30 years, and he has been recorded on over 110 recordings.