Johanna Mahmud breaks the mold of your average musician, as a double threat to the industry. Johanna plays to all sides of the spectrum transcending genres not only in jazz and latin, but also in rock. Well received by industry leaders for over 5 years, Johanna fronts the Chicago based art rock band MEQQA. In addition to MEQQA's 2003 critically acclaimed full length album, Sors Salutis, Johanna continues to churn out innovative and memorable melodies on their 2006 E.P., Acquiescence.
However, long before he was perfecting his exuberant and introspective live stage show for MEQQA, Johanna was learning of all the jazz greats from his Grandfather at the early age of 3. An accomplished clarinetist and violinist, it was under his Grandfather's guidance and tutelage that Johanna learned the styles, history, and nuances of the music. After several years of studying piano, voice and musical theatre Johanna was introduced to the music of the great trombonist, Jack Teagarden. It was then he chose the trombone above all, becoming dedicated to achieving the great standards put forth by his heros, likening his sound to those of Frank Rosolino, J.J. Johnson, Louis Armstrong, Slide Hampton, Clifford Brown and Woody Shaw.
Johanna has studied improvisation, composition and arranging under William Russo, Tom Garling, Scott Hall, Peter Saxe and Robin Eubanks.
Through his travels of the U.S. and Europe, Johanna has shared the stage with the likes of Slide Hampton, Jon Faddis, Steve Turre, Robin Eubanks, Greg Osby, Buddy Morrow, William Russo, Eric Lewis, Maurice Brown, Marcus Belgrave, Eddie Gomez, Pat Mallinger, Corey Wilkes, Vincent Gardner, Enrico Rava, Mike Tomaro, and Tom Garling.
He has performed with the likes of Aretha Franklin, The Ojays, The Dells, The Tommy Dorsey Orchestra, The Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra, The Chicago Jazz Ensemble, Rob Parton Jazztech Orchestra, Ben Vereen, Donnie McKlurkin, The Guy Lombardo Orchestra, Jan Garber Orchestra, Bill Porter Orchestra, The Alan Gresik Swing Shift Orchestra, and Steve Torme
Johanna continues to work towards breaking new ground in jazz, rock, and experimental mediums. Please stay tuned for new music and in the meantime, check out one of Johanna's many performances.
yeah man, it was a lot of fun hangin out for a week. we should definitely do that dinner sometime, especially if there's some Johanna experimental cuisine!! take care man.
Greetings from Vertikal-land...and happy holidays. My curiousity is rather piqued about Meqqa...I can't wait to check you cats out. (I teach, though, and avoid Sunday night shows.) Hopefully will catch you live soon.
- [Butter | Vertikal]
Oh, I almost forgot...the day after Christmas, come work off some holiday calories with your favorite 10-piece, nu-soul/hip-hop/jazz/house band...
