* Gus Johnson; Drummer for Noted Jazz Bands

Gus Johnson, 86, a leading drummer for some of the great jazz bands of the 1930s to the 1950s, including Count Basie’s legendary ensemble. Born in Tyler, Texas, Johnson moved to Kansas City after high school and played with a variety of groups before landing a job with pianist Jay McShann’s ensemble, which featured Charlie Parker on alto sax, in 1938. The drummer stayed with that unit until 1943, when he entered the Army. In 1948, he joined the Basie band, replacing Jo Jones on drums. After leaving the Basie organization in 1954, Johnson spent most of the rest of his career as a freelance player accompanying singers such as Ella Fitzgerald and Lena Horne and recording with Charlie Byrd, Woody Herman and Gerry Mulligan, among others. When he wasn’t playing, Johnson served as an auxiliary police officer in New York City. On Feb. 6 in Westminster, Colo.