| Just a few nights ago I had the pleasure of meeting and seeing the performance of Cleveland’s own Tommy Johnson, singer-songwriter-producer-musician. Him and many other Cleveland talents hit the stage at D.I.V.A.’s “Sensual Showcase” held at the Cleveland Improv. Many showed up and little did I know what I was in store for. Mind you, I am not a Clevelander myself but I surely represented my current home with some of the best talents that are based in Cleveland. This showcase I would consider to be a CLE hidden gem. Something you may rarely see when you’re in the Flats. There is a wealth of culture, talent, and passion that beats in the heart of Cleveland. In commemoration of Black Music Month we will showcase many of these artist in appreciation for what they contribute to each heart beat.
Video of some of the performers…
|
|
| Tommy Johnson – Cleveland
They call him Cleveland’s piano man, but if you’ve ever seen singer-songwriter-producer-musician Tommy Johnson live, you’d probably refer to him as a one-man band. Blazing stages from Cleveland to California, Tommy has performed with the likes of such legends as Gerald Levert, Patti LaBelle, Kem, and the Funny Sound. Born in Cleveland, Ohio Tommy hails from a musically inclined family who taught him to play the piano and nurtured his Muse for music since the age of three. While coming of age, he continually honed his craft, graduated from the Cleveland School of the Arts and began to make his name known locally by singing, writing, producing and performing songs for himself and others. His self-generated buzz caught the ear of the Rude Boys’ Joe Little who would pass the praise to Gerald Levert during a studio session. From there, the Domino effect continued when Tommy toured with Gerald (and later with both Gerald and Eddie Levert) knocking out city after city around the globe providing background vocals and even landed spots on 2001’s “Gerald’s World” and the 2002 “G Spot” album where he wrote and produced a track on the CD entitled “Your Smile.” And after Gerald joined forces with fellow crooners Keith Sweat and Johnny Gill for part two of their LSG venture, Tommy tagged along loaning his voice and creative talents to the group’s 2003 single “Shakedown.” |
|
|
http://www.myspace.com/tommysnyourear Facebook.com/tommyjohnson @tommysworldcl |
|
| Here are 2 of his hits- “DreamLand” and ” I Wanna Go Home.” Give a listen and let us know what you think! |
