Plas Johnson, Iconic Jazz Saxophonist, Dies at 94

Plas Johnson, the Los Angeles-based tenor saxophonist best known for the solo on “The Pink Panther Theme,” died on July 15 at age 94. The report of his death came from Los Angeles jazz station KKJZ and was confirmed by his children, Eric Johnson and Stephanie Oliver, who said their father had performed at his retirement community a month earlier. Johnson passed away in the Granada Hills neighborhood of Los Angeles, according to the Donaldsonville Chief, his hometown newspaper.

The Guardian

Born July 21, 1931 in Donaldsonville, Louisiana, Johnson began singing with his family before switching to saxophone under his father’s guidance. He made his recording debut in 1950 with his brother Ray for DeLuxe Records and moved to Los Angeles in 1954, where he became a sought-after studio musician. Over a six-decade career he recorded with B.B. King, Frank Sinatra, Marvin Gaye, Nat King Cole and many others. His most celebrated work is the 1963 tenor saxophone solo on Henry Mancini’s “The Pink Panther Theme,” a piece that later ranked 20th on the American Film Institute’s list of greatest film scores and earned three Grammy Awards. Johnson also contributed to Mancini’s “Peter Gunn” soundtrack, which won the first Grammy for Album of the Year.

The Guardian

Johnson’s children confirmed his passing in statements to the press. The same newspaper noted that Johnson had previously been honored with a memorial plaque in Donaldsonville’s Jazz Plaza.

The Guardian

• “When we finished, everyone applauded, even the string players.” — Plas Johnson

The Guardian

• “My solos always seemed to bring the record up another notch,” — Plas Johnson

The Guardian

• “I didn't realize it until later, but New Orleans was a great town for a musician to grow up in,” — Plas Johnson

Donaldsonville Chief