Few may know him by name, but everyone has heard him. Plas Johnson's cunning saxophone took the lead on Henry Mancini's "Pink Panther Theme" and is featured on such rock classics as the Beach Boys' Pet Sounds. It's easy to hear why he was such a studio maven; Johnson can say a lot efficiently, and his understanding of Bop never interferes with his deep and emotional sense of swing. Only a handful of his solo dates remain in print, but they are worth seeking out. An amazingly consistent player, Evening Delight (1999) finds Johnson playing at the same high level he's been at for decades now.
