A decent pianist who rarely soloed, Charlie Johnson is of greatest significance for leading his Paradise Ten, an orchestra that had five excellent recording sessions during 1925-1929, and played at Smalls' Paradise during 1925-1935. Among the sidemen who appear on Johnson's records are trumpeters Jabbo Smith, Thomas Morris, Leonard Davis, and Sidney DeParis; trombonists Charlie Irvis and Jimmy Harrison; altoists Benny Carter (who made his recording debut with Johnson in 1927) and Edgar Sampson; and tenor saxophonist Benny Waters. In general, their recordings live up to the great potential. Charlie Johnson led his band until 1938, and freelanced until ill health forced his retirement in the 1950s.