 Julie Johnson is a flutist and composer. She uses amplified flute, bass flute, and live looping & effects pedals

to create original arrangements and compositions with a distinct sound.

 Julie Johnson performs original arrangements of folk songs from all over the world on amplified flute, bass flute, and live looping & effects pedals.  Using extended techniques and incorporating technology typically associated with electric guitar, she performs arrangements that sound like an orchestra of instruments (percussion, electric guitar, bass, plucked strings, woodwinds). Repertoire includes Ukrainian dances, waltzes and tangos from South America, Irish airs and jigs, Metis fiddle tunes, Finnish folk tunes, and blues/folk tunes by Leadbelly, Willie Dixon, and Howlin' Wolf.

Looping in My Living Room: A Live-Performance Video Series

here.

About the Musician: Julie Johnson is a flutist who integrates looping and effect pedals into original arrangements and compositions.

Recommended for: All Ages, All Audience Sizes

Availability: Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, some Thursdays, and Fridays, Sept-Dec and March-May

To schedule this artist for the 7-county metro area, use the “Book Now” button. To schedule a concert in Greater Minnesota, use the “Request a Concert” button or email classnotes@mpr.org. 


FY25 Julie Johnson CN Supporting Materials

Jenny Cvek

Performance #2: “Arkan”: Fantasy on a Traditional Ukrainian Melody

Created and performed by Julie Johnson on amplified flute and looping & effects pedals
Video Editing by Tamara Ober
 
Minnesota musician and composer Natalie Nowytski, the daughter of two Ukranian immigrants and a master artist of Eastern European vocal styling, first shared this tune with me, which has become one of my all-time favorite pieces to perform. I originally played it with my folk/roots trio Julie Johnson & The No-Accounts; we included my arrangement for bass flute, acoustic guitar, and mandolin on our 2011 album The Banks of The Little Auplaine. I’ve also created a version with cellist Jacqueline Ultan for our duo J2J. This solo version includes both scored and improvised sections. I use looping & delay pedals to play with the traditional melodies, teasing out both the lyricism and aggression I hear in them and building it all up into a final frenzied dance.

Julie Johnson is a fiscal year 2021 recipient of a Creative Support for Individuals grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board.  This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation by the Minnesota State Legislature; and by a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts.

Julie Johnson - Concert Artist