Multi-talented gospel saxophonist, musician, songwriter and Minister of Music Charles Johnson Jr. creates and performs anointed, inspirational, and passionate music from his heart with the saxophone that emulates the soulful emotion and expressive lyrical style of a gospel or jazz vocalist. A native of Dayton Ohio, Charles’ love for the deep rich tone of the tenor saxophone in particular, served as the impetus to further developing his technique and unique style on the instrument at the Kent State University School of Music. Charles has also been gifted to play several brass and woodwind instruments and the piano. Charles’ musical influences include both jazz and gospel recording artists including Grover Washington Jr., David Sanborn, Najee, Kenny G, Fred Hammond and Richard Smallwood. Charles’ love for God and the message and inspiration of gospel music, has helped to shape and influence both his songwriting and performance style.
Charles released his latest album True Worship on July 6, 2017 on all digital music outlets. The album features several original praise & worship style songs written and arranged by Charles, as well as covers of some very popular worship songs including Heart of Worship, Awesome God and Praise Is What I Do. Joining Charles with his soprano and tenor saxophones on this project is a stellar cast of veteran musicians and recording artists including Jonathan DuBose Jr. on electric guitar, Sean Michael Ray on Bass and Laurent-Daniel “Lue” Vergnac on keyboards The album also features creatively arranged background vocals as well as two lead vocals by Charles on his intimate worship ballads Lord I Worship You and We Worship You. True Worship underscores Charles’ love and passion for God and entering His presence through praise & worship and his sincere desire to touch the heart as well as the ear of the listener. Charles’ debut solo album, Hymns For Him, was released in 2000 and he has performed on the Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN) television show Praise the Lord, the Bobby Jones Gospel Explosion and he has recorded and shared the stage with many local, national and international gospel recording artists.