Johnson's interest in music and percussion started at a very young age, when growing up in
Bedford Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, during the 1960s. According to his mother, his talents in percussion started as early as pre-school with drumming on desks and furniture, occasionally to the extent of disrupting class. Formal percussion education took a number of forms for Johnson, including high-school bands, lessons at
Jazzmobile, lessons at the
Dance Theater of Harlem, and with
Olatunji. Johnson has also performed at the
White House as part of two separate "In Performance at the White House" presentations, once for the presentation of the Gershwin Prize for Popular Song, and once for "The Motown Sound". His most recent endeavors include participating in Michael Jackson The Immortal World Tour with
Cirque du Soleil, while continuing to write, produce, and perform in a variety of media. Among his endeavors and accomplishments are a production company (Bashman Productions), record/media label (Life in Rhythm Media), and recording studio (The Lab-Brooklyn). Through The Lab-Brooklyn, Johnson has recorded his percussion for a number of notable artists, including
Herbie Hancock,
Barbra Streisand,
George Benson,
Al Jarreau, and many others. Bashiri Johnson also presents percussion intensive seminars, as well as lectures, workshops and master classes to share his knowledge and give back to young people. == Discography ==