Trombonist, multi-instrumentalist, vocalist
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Key moments and achievements from Ronell Johnson's life.
education
Johnson was born and raised in New Orleans, where he began learning music on trumpet and piano at age 6. The early start placed him inside the city’s musical current before he was old enough to think of it as a career. It also set up the versatility that would later define his work across several instruments.
education
Johnson was born and raised in New Orleans, where he began learning music on trumpet and piano at age 6. The early start placed him inside the city’s musical current before he was old enough to think of it as a career. It also set up the versatility that would later define his work across several instruments.
debut
Johnson’s professional music career began at age 12. The New Orleans Jazz Club said he was already performing on organ, piano, trombone and tuba. That early breadth became one of the defining features of his musicianship.
debut
Johnson’s professional music career began at age 12. The New Orleans Jazz Club said he was already performing on organ, piano, trombone and tuba. That early breadth became one of the defining features of his musicianship.
touring
At 15, Johnson began international travel with several New Orleans bands, including his family band Coolbone. The experience widened his reach while keeping him tied to the city’s tradition. It also marked him as a young musician already carrying New Orleans music beyond home.
touring
At 15, Johnson began international travel with several New Orleans bands, including his family band Coolbone. The experience widened his reach while keeping him tied to the city’s tradition. It also marked him as a young musician already carrying New Orleans music beyond home.
joining
A 2022 SFJAZZ profile said Johnson joined the Preservation Hall Jazz Band in 2012. His arrival placed him inside one of the city’s most visible traditional jazz institutions. He became part of the modern lineup that carried New Orleans traditional jazz to national and international audiences.
joining
A 2022 SFJAZZ profile said Johnson joined the Preservation Hall Jazz Band in 2012. His arrival placed him inside one of the city’s most visible traditional jazz institutions. He became part of the modern lineup that carried New Orleans traditional jazz to national and international audiences.
performance
By 2013, Johnson was appearing in Preservation Hall Jazz Band publicity and press coverage as a featured member during the Creole Christmas tour. The coverage showed how quickly he had become a recognizable part of the ensemble. It also reflected his growing role in the band’s public face.
performance
By 2013, Johnson was appearing in Preservation Hall Jazz Band publicity and press coverage as a featured member during the Creole Christmas tour. The coverage showed how quickly he had become a recognizable part of the ensemble. It also reflected his growing role in the band’s public face.
performance
In 2015, concert coverage identified Johnson as one of the band’s brass players, performing on sousaphone in the Preservation Hall Jazz Band lineup. The detail underscored his flexibility across instruments. It also showed how comfortably he moved within the band’s changing arrangements.
performance
In 2015, concert coverage identified Johnson as one of the band’s brass players, performing on sousaphone in the Preservation Hall Jazz Band lineup. The detail underscored his flexibility across instruments. It also showed how comfortably he moved within the band’s changing arrangements.
review
A 2016 Santa Barbara Independent review described Johnson’s playing as wild and energetic during a Preservation Hall Jazz Band performance. The language captured the force he brought to the stage. It also contrasted with the deep historical weight of the tradition he represented.
review
A 2016 Santa Barbara Independent review described Johnson’s playing as wild and energetic during a Preservation Hall Jazz Band performance. The language captured the force he brought to the stage. It also contrasted with the deep historical weight of the tradition he represented.
feature
A 2017 Chicago Sun-Times feature described Johnson as one of the Preservation Hall Jazz Band’s longtime members on trombone. The profile placed him firmly within the band’s core identity. By then, his role had become inseparable from the ensemble’s sound.
feature
A 2017 Chicago Sun-Times feature described Johnson as one of the Preservation Hall Jazz Band’s longtime members on trombone. The profile placed him firmly within the band’s core identity. By then, his role had become inseparable from the ensemble’s sound.
documentary
Johnson appeared in the 2019 documentary A Tuba to Cuba with other Preservation Hall Jazz Band members. SFJAZZ later reported that while the band was traveling in Haiti in connection with its Cuba and New Orleans history project, Johnson discovered blood relatives there. The moment gave personal form to the idea of musical inheritance.
documentary
Johnson appeared in the 2019 documentary A Tuba to Cuba with other Preservation Hall Jazz Band members. SFJAZZ later reported that while the band was traveling in Haiti in connection with its Cuba and New Orleans history project, Johnson discovered blood relatives there. The moment gave personal form to the idea of musical inheritance.
festival
A 2021 Spoleto Festival announcement listed Johnson as the trombonist for Preservation Hall Jazz Band. The listing reflected his continuing place in the band’s public lineup. It also showed his presence on major festival stages.
festival
A 2021 Spoleto Festival announcement listed Johnson as the trombonist for Preservation Hall Jazz Band. The listing reflected his continuing place in the band’s public lineup. It also showed his presence on major festival stages.
institutional recognition
The Preservation Hall Foundation listed Johnson as part of the Hall’s musical collective on trombone and tuba. The listing confirmed his standing within the institution’s living tradition. It also reflected the range of instruments he carried for the band.
institutional recognition
The Preservation Hall Foundation listed Johnson as part of the Hall’s musical collective on trombone and tuba. The listing confirmed his standing within the institution’s living tradition. It also reflected the range of instruments he carried for the band.
death_notice
Johnson died on June 15, 2026, at age 41. Community posts that day showed New Orleans musicians and fans organizing a memorial parade and gathering in his honor. The response suggested how deeply he had become part of the city’s musical family.
death_notice
Johnson died on June 15, 2026, at age 41. Community posts that day showed New Orleans musicians and fans organizing a memorial parade and gathering in his honor. The response suggested how deeply he had become part of the city’s musical family.
Ronell Johnson passed away
