Kris Johnson

Kris Johnson is an empathetic, intelligent, and efficient trumpeter, composer, arranger, film scorer, and educator based in Detroit, Michigan.

Johnson’s professional career is expansive for an artist so young, including: playing in and arranging for the renowned Count Basie Orchestra; directing the University of Utah Jazz Studies program; composing several musicals, including “Jim Crow’s Tears” and “Hastings Street: The Musical”; scoring films, such as the Emmy-nominated web series “King Ester”; producing successful personal projects, such as his #looptherapy album and his Kris Johnson Big Band YouTube series.

Currently, Johnson works as the Director of the Michigan State University Community Music School Detroit, and continues his freelance work as a composer and performer. Johnson also teaches through his online platform, Office Hours with Kris.