Biography
John Sansone, known professionally as Jumpin' Johnny Sansone, was born on September 27, 1957, in West Orange, New Jersey, to a musically inclined family—his father was a saxophone-playing schoolteacher who performed in Dave Brubeck's Wolf Pack band. Sansone's blues journey began early; at age 13, he sat in with blues legend Honeyboy Edwards, and during the 1970s he studied harmonica under blues legends James Cotton and Jr. Wells. In the 1980s, he toured extensively with Chicago blues icons including Ronnie Earl, John Lee Hooker, Jimmy Rodgers, and Robert Lockwood Jr., establishing himself as a skilled harmonicist and guitarist in the fierce Mississippi Delta blues tradition.
After years of itinerant touring through Colorado, Austin, Texas, Florida, and Chicago, Sansone settled in New Orleans in 1990, a decision that fundamentally transformed his musical identity. His early work with Jumpin' Johnny & the Blues Party produced the 1987 debut album Where Y'at? and 1991's Mr. Good Thing, both showcasing his electric harmonica prowess. The pivotal moment came after attending the funeral of Zydeco pioneer Clifton Chenier, which inspired Sansone to take up the accordion—an instrument that would become central to his evolved sound. By the mid-1990s, particularly with the 1996 album Crescent City Moon on Rounder Records' Bullseye Blues label, Sansone had synthesized blues, boogie, and Louisiana Cajun and Zydeco influences into a distinctive swamp rock style that won multiple Offbeat magazine Best of the Beat Awards.
Following Hurricane Katrina's devastation, Sansone channeled his experiences into powerful songwriting, collaborating extensively with Anders Osborne and forming an acoustic trio with Osborne and guitarist John Fohl. His 2011 album The Lord Is Waiting and the Devil Is Too, which won Song of the Year at the 2012 Blues Music Awards, marked a creative peak and demonstrated his growth as a songwriter. To date, Sansone has released over fourteen original albums and maintains an active presence in New Orleans' music scene, having been a member of the Voice of the Wetlands Allstars since 2005 alongside artists like Tab Benoit, Cyril Neville, and George Porter Jr. His legacy encompasses a unique fusion of Chicago blues, Delta traditions, and Louisiana regional sounds, establishing him as a significant figure in contemporary American roots music.
Fun Facts
- Sansone's decision to learn accordion came after attending the funeral of Zydeco pioneer Clifton Chenier in the 1990s, a moment of inspiration that fundamentally changed his musical direction and helped him develop his distinctive Louisiana sound.
- During the 1980s, Sansone toured with multiple Chicago blues legends including John Lee Hooker and Robert Lockwood Jr., and later fronted Ronnie Earl's Broadcasters, establishing himself as a respected session and touring musician before becoming a bandleader.
- After Hurricane Katrina displaced him from his New Orleans home, Sansone channeled the emotional experience into songwriting that won Song of the Year at the 2012 Blues Music Awards, demonstrating how personal tragedy fueled his creative breakthrough.
- Sansone's father was a saxophone-playing schoolteacher who performed in Dave Brubeck's Wolf Pack band, establishing a strong musical heritage that influenced his early exposure to jazz and blues traditions.
Musical Connections
Mentors/Influences
- James Cotton - Blues harmonica legend who taught Sansone during the 1970s (Harmonica instruction and technique development) [1970s]
- Jr. Wells - Blues harmonica legend who taught Sansone during the 1970s (Harmonica instruction and technique development) [1970s]
- Honeyboy Edwards - Early influence; Sansone sat in with him at age 13 (Live performance collaboration)
- Clifton Chenier - Zydeco pioneer whose funeral inspired Sansone to learn accordion (Stylistic inspiration for accordion integration) [1990s]
Key Collaborators
- Joe Krown - Pianist in acoustic trio; collaborated on multiple projects (Sansone, Krown & Fohl self-titled album (2004), Poor Man's Paradise (2007)) [2004-2007]
- John Fohl - Guitarist and vocalist in acoustic trio settings (Sansone, Krown & Fohl (2004), acoustic trio with Osborne (2009-present)) [2004-present]
- Anders Osborne - Producer, collaborator, and close friend; fellow Voice of the Wetlands member (Poor Man's Paradise (2007, producer), The Lord Is Waiting and the Devil Is Too (2011, producer), acoustic trio performances) [2005-present]
- Mike Zito - Collaborated as accordionist on Zito's album (Pearl River (2009))
- Voice of the Wetlands Allstars - Member of collective featuring Tab Benoit, Cyril Neville, George Porter Jr., and others (Group performances and recordings) [2005-present]
Connection Network
External Links
References
Heard on WWOZ
Johnny Sansone has been played 19 times on WWOZ 90.7 FM, New Orleans' jazz and heritage station.