Film & Commissions
Kris is an in-demand composer and arranger whose previous work includes Grammy- and Emmy-nominated projects. A curated selection of that work is included to preview below.
Detroit Symphony Orchestra- Commissions
Detroit Symphony Orchestra- Commissions
“Acclaimed composer Jessie Montgomery is one of today’s “most distinctive and communicative voices” (BBC). Experience two of her recent masterpieces. Co-commissioned by the DSO, Snapshots brims with “glowing washes and surges of sound,” (Dallas Morning News). Her Grammy Award-nominated Rounds, played by virtuoso Awadagin Pratt, evokes imagery and themes from T. S. Eliot’s Four Quartets. Opening the program is a world premiere by award-winning Detroit composer and trumpeter Kris Johnson.”
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For any upcoming events from the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, please click here.
The Sing Me a Story Foundation exists to serve families with children in need, by facilitating imaginative story-making and bringing those words to life through inspiring musical experiences. Their process includes pairing children diagnosed with chronic health conditions with songwriters who turn their stories into songs.
When the organization reached out to Detroit Symphony Orchestra cellist and composer Jeremy Crosmer with the story of seven-year-old Julian and his brother Harrison—whom they met through the Penrickton Center for Blind Children—the seeds of a fruitful collaboration were instantly planted.
Julian is diagnosed with developmental delays and a cortical visual impairment, and music is his go-to joyful place—especially Louis Armstrong’s “La Vie En Rose.” His mother has seen the “biggest smile” fill his face when the horns play loudly. Julian loves kicking his feet to activate keyboards, piano mats, and other musical instruments.
With Harrison as his creative partner, the two wrote and illustrated an eventful story about their adventures as brothers.
Film Scores
Film Scores
A New Documentary Film by Phill Branch 2023
“Hampton University: One of the Wonders of the World”
Award-winning director and Producer Phill Branch, brings his new documentary, Hampton University: One of the Wonders of the World to Baltimore. The film takes a look into the impact of HBCUs, the history of Hampton University and the leadership of its iconic past-President, Dr. William R. Harvey.
As Hampton University’s 44-year president, Dr. Harvey left a lasting legacy as an iconic leader and advocate for HBCU education that’s examined in this heartfelt documentary. His life-changing impact on those who came in contact with him has been recognized by Former President Barack Obama, civil rights icon Andrew Young and Gov. Douglass Wilder, among others.
The film is a winner of a 2024 Capital Emmy, and an official selection of the Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival, the Montreal Independent Film Festival and the Denton Black Film Festival.
Dui Jarrod 2022
“The Eulogy”
A short film from Emmy-nominated filmmaker, Dui Jarrod.
The short is based on a feature film screenplay entitled, The Inevitable Sadness Of All Thangs Gud, about King, a hard-living hood dude, who begins to face the realities of his mortality after the violent death of his best friend.
2019
King Ester
King Ester" is a digital web series released on Issa Rae's YouTube channel, which tells the story of a trans woman navigating life in New Orleans the week before Hurricane Katrina.
The series was nominated for four Daytime Emmy Awards, and featured at a number of festivals. Kris Johnson composed the score for all seven episodes.
2020
“I, Too”
A video work in collaboration with Utah filmmaker, Brent Rowland, set to a powerful poem published 95 years ago by the great Black American writer Langston Hughes.
Comissions
Comissions
2020-2021
Various Arrangements
for Kamau Kenyatta
Kris has been a long time fan of Grammy Award-Winning Producer, pianist, saxophonist, and fellow Detroit native Kamau Kenyatta for many years. After seeing a video of Kris Johnson Big Band’s rendition of Wayne Shorter’s “Yes or No,” Kamau reached out to Kris and asked him to arrange and record one of his compositions for the band. This led to several collaborations with Kamau and a mentorship that has been integral to the development of Kris’s career.
2021
"Hastings Street, The Musical"
for Plowshares Theater Company
"Hastings Street'' is a musical set in 1949 at the cusp of the order to tear down Black Bottom, the segregated Black community that was once where I-75 is now.
Featuring a book by local artist John Sloan III and a score written by Sloan and Kris Johnson, Hastings Street explores the lives of Detroiters at a moment when the city was rewriting the landscape and displacing thousands of African Americans in the name of progress. The story follows the experiences of the Carson Family as they navigate issues of being uprooted on a personal and communal basis. Hastings Street is a commission by Plowshares Theatre Company underwritten by support from The Kresge Foundation.
2018-2020
Cannonball Band
for the Cannonball Musical Instruments
As an endorsed artist for Cannonball Musical Instruments, Kris Johnson has arranged several pieces for the world-renowned “Cannonball Band.” Each arrangement has Kris’s signature twist on the original pieces with reimagined harmonies, grooves, and interpretations of the melody.
2018-2020
Westchester Lady
for Mark Whitsett
Commissioned by percussionist Mark Whitsett, “Westchester Lady” is a fresh take on the Bob James composition performed by the Kris Johnson Big Band. Featured soloists include Kris on flugelhorn, Quamon Fowler on tenor saxophone, and Mark Whitset on percussion.
2018
"Odd Expressions"
Troy High School Orchestra
“Odd Expressions” is Kris’ first full-length composition for symphony orchestra. Originally commissioned in 2011 by Troy High School, this work explores various odd-meters in a through-composed work with infectious grooves and lush melodies and harmonies. The piece was first recorded for the Kris Johnson Group’s album of the same name, and recently documented in a live concert with the Troy High School orchestra, filmed by cinematographer Matt Lima in February 2020.
2017
Sonatas, Songs and Spirituals
for Ken Thompkins
Ken Thompkins, principal trombonist for the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, called upon Kris to arrange several pieces for his 2017 album, "Sonatas, Songs and Spirituals." Kris arranged four songs for trombone and string quartet: "Precious Lord, Take My Hand," "Every Time I Feel the Spirit," "How Great Thou Art" and "Sweet, Sweet Spirit."
2014
Paul Laurence Dunbar Project
for Milton Suggs
Headed by vocalist/composer Milton Suggs, the Paul Laurence Dunbar Project sets the work of Harlem Renaissance poet Paul Laurence Dunbar to original compositions. Kris had the pleasure of orchestrating a big band accompaniment to Milton’s original melodies and paying homage to the legendary poet.