Biography
Al 'Carnival Time' Johnson, born June 20, 1939, in New Orleans, Louisiana, grew up in the Ninth Ward neighborhood, where his father encouraged his musical interests by purchasing instruments for him and his siblings. Inspired by New Orleans rhythm and blues pioneers like Fats Domino, Tommy Ridgley, and Smiley Lewis, Johnson chose the piano to emulate their sound and began his career at age 17, recording 'Ole Time Talkin'' and 'I've Done Wrong' for Aladdin Records in 1956. He later signed with Ric Records, recording at Cosimo Matassa's studio, including 'Lena' in 1958, and achieved lasting fame with his 1960 Mardi Gras hit 'Carnival Time,' produced by Joe Ruffino, which became a New Orleans classic alongside tracks by Professor Longhair and The Hawketts.[1][3]
After military service at Fort Bliss, Texas, Johnson returned to New Orleans in 1964 to find Ruffino deceased and entangled in legal battles over royalties, leaving him with little financial gain from his hits; he earned his nickname 'Carnival Time' from the song's success. Maintaining independence without a manager, he continued writing, recording, and performing, regaining full rights to 'Carnival Time' in 1999. In the 21st century, he released 'Mardi Gras Strut' (2006), 'Lower Ninth Ward Blues' (2007) post-Hurricane Katrina, and collaborated on tracks like 'Don't Go, Santa' with Margie Perez (2015) and 'Red Beans' with Bon Bon Vivant (2021).[1][3]
Johnson's legacy endures as a beloved New Orleans icon, inducted into the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame in 2007, reigning as King of Krewe Du Vieux (2005), and named Grand Marshall for Life of Krewe of Red Beans; he resides in Harry Connick Jr.'s Musicians' Village and continues performing in genres blending R&B and Mardi Gras traditions, often linked on platforms like Spotify with Cajun and zydeco alongside Margie Perez.[1][3]
Fun Facts
- Johnson independently manages his career without a manager, a rare autonomy that has sustained his performances for decades.[3]
- He fought legally for and regained full rights to his signature hit 'Carnival Time' in 1999 after decades of disputes.[1][3]
- Post-Hurricane Katrina, he released 'Lower Ninth Ward Blues' in 2007, reflecting his displacement from the Lower Ninth Ward, and later moved into Harry Connick Jr.'s Musicians' Village.[1]
- In 2012, he was proclaimed 'King for Life' of the Goodchildren Social Aid & Pleasure Club and serves as Grand Marshall for Life of the Krewe of Red Beans.[1][3]
Musical Connections
Mentors/Influences
- Fats Domino - early rhythmic inspiration (New Orleans R&B style influencing Johnson's piano playing) [1950s]
- Tommy Ridgley - rhythm and blues exemplar (influenced early career sound) [1950s]
- Smiley Lewis - rhythm and blues exemplar (shaped pursuit of New Orleans piano sound) [1950s]
Key Collaborators
- Margie Perez - recording artist ('Don't Go, Santa' single) [2015]
- Bon Bon Vivant - recording artist ('Red Beans' song) [2021]
- Egg Yolk Jubilee - recording group ('Who Dat Say') [2009]
Connection Network
Discography
Albums
| Title | Release Date | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Carnivale Electricos | 2012-02-21 | Album |
| Carnivale Electricos | 2012-02-01 | Album |
| Beyond Carnival | 2013-05-30 | Album |
| Beyond Carnival | 2013-05-30 | Album |
| Carnivale Electricos | 2012-02-21 | Album |
Top Tracks
- Carnivale Time (Carnivale Electricos)
- Mardi Gras Strut (Mambo) (Talking 'Bout the Blues, Vol. 3)
- Carnival Time (Carnivale Electricos)
- Carnival Time (One Note At A Time (Official Soundtrack))
- Who Dat Say (feat. Eggyolk Jubilee) (Who Dat Say - single)
- Lena (Talking 'Bout the Blues, Vol. 6)
- Sad Story
- Lena (Blues Makers: The Vocal Mix, Vol. 6)
- Lena
- Lower Ninth Ward Blues
External Links
References
Heard on WWOZ
AL CARNIVAL TIME JOHNSON & MARGIE PEREZ has been played 2 times on WWOZ 90.7 FM, New Orleans' jazz and heritage station.
| Date | Time | Title | Show | Spotify |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 16, 2025 | 11:12 | DON'T GO, SANTA | New Orleans Music Showw/ Cole Williams | |
| Oct 21, 2025 | 13:03 | LENA | New Orleans Music Showw/ Cole Williams |