When a band was formed between two sets of brothers, it was the Montgomery Brothers who attracted the attention of jazz big name Cannonball Adderley, not "the Johnson Boys." The tale is one of the great legends of the Indianapolis jazz scene and, as in most American storytelling, the name "Johnson" figures in somewhere. In this case, it was by way of the brothers Robert Johnson and Alonzo Johnson, skilled local players on drums and tenor saxophone, respectively. From the previously mentioned Montgomery family came the guitarist Wes Montgomery, truly one of the elite names of the jazz genre, as well as a genius of the guitar. During one of the periods in the early '50s when the still-unknown guitarist was returning home from the road wars, a band was formed called the Montgomery-Johnson Quintet. Buddy Montgomery played piano and vibes, with Monk Montgomery in the bass chair. As to the question "Hoosier drummer?" -- people from Indiana hate this joke -- the answer was "Robert Johnson." Had drummer Thomas Montgomery not unfortunately died as a teenager; Johnson might not have gotten the gig. Adderley heard the group and quickly began promoting the Montgomery Brothers, particularly the guitarist.

Both Robert and Alonzo Johnson have credits for Chicago blues recording sessions, indicating some crossover between the scenes in that city and Indianapolis. Alonzo Johnson seems to have been the busier of the two, yet after all his accomplishments, the Indianapolis Jazz Organization reported that "Alonzo Johnson is a name that may not mean much to many area jazz fans." But that's just because he eventually changed his stage name to Pookie Johnson. Brother Robert Johnson surely could have also gained from a more distinctive moniker. He should not be confused with the drummer of the same name who was an original member of KC the Sunshine Band. ~ Eugene Chadbourne, Rovi