Leading British bandleader of the 1930s and Britain's first black bandleader. Born Kenrick Reginald Huymans Johnson in British Guiana, with his "West Indian Orchestra," Ken Johnson would become one of the leading bandleaders of the Swing era. Whilst playing at London's "Cafe de Paris" (where Ken Johnson and his band were residents) on Saturday March 8th, 1941, a night of heavy bombing, the building was hit by a German bomb killing 26-year old Johnson instantly.
Leading British bandleader of the 1930s and Britain's first black bandleader. Born Kenrick Reginald Huymans Johnson in British Guiana, with his "West Indian Orchestra," Ken Johnson would become one of the leading bandleaders of the Swing era. Whilst playing at London's "Cafe de Paris" (where Ken Johnson and his band were residents) on Saturday March 8th, 1941, a night of heavy bombing, the building was hit by a German bomb killing 26-year old Johnson instantly.
Bio by: Kieran Smith
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