Bjørn John Johansen (23 May 1940 – 6 May 2002) was a Norwegian jazz musician (baritone, tenor & alto saxophones, clarinet and flute), known from a number of recordings and international cooperation. He has been one of the most influential Norwegian saxophonists of all time and has been the inspiration for a generations of musicians, among them Jan Garbarek.
Johansen was born in Fredrikstad, Norway. Strongly influenced by the music of John Coltrane, he joined orchestras led by Gunnar Brostigen, Kjell Karlsen (1956–59), Lars Sandsgaard, Pete Brown, and Arild Wikstrøm (1961). In addition to playing with Karin Krog, Bernt Rosengren, George Gruntz, Frode Thingnæs, Egil Kapstad, Helge Hurum/Thorleif Østereng/«Radiostorbandet» (1966–90), EBU Big Band (73), Laila Dalseth, Bjørn Alterhaug, and within the «Fatah Morgana Quartet».
He was central in the Norwegian jazz scene within bands like his own Kapstad/Johansen Quartet, including Bjørn Alterhaug (bass) and Ole Jacob Hansen (drums), releasing the album Friends (1980), and Bjørn Johansen Quartet, including Carl Morten Iversen (bass), Ole Jacob Hansen (drums) and Erling Aksdal (piano), releasing Dear Henrik (1984). Johansen also released the album Take one featuring Cedar Walton (1987), that was awarded Spellemannprisen 1987. His compositions are published by Norsk Jazzforlag (2004).
Spellemannprisen 1987 in the class Jazz, for the album Take one
Gammleng-prisen 1997 in the class Jazz
1986: Dear Henrik (Gemini Music)
1987: Take One (Odin Records), feat. Cedar Walton Trio
1990: Some Other Time (), with Laila Dalseth, Bjørn Alterhaug, Egil Kapstad & Frode Thingnæs
2001: Portrait of a Norwegian Jazz Artist (Gemini Records)
1966: From Public Enemies Without Love
1966: Sunny (), feat. Karin Krog
1968: Syner (Norsk Jazzforum), with Choir & Orchestra
1979: Til jorden (Pan Records 2005), feat. the poet Rolf Jacobsen
1980: Friends (Hot Club Records), within Kapstad/Johansen Quartet
1994: Remembrance, within Egil Kapstad Trio
1963: Metropol Jazz: Jazz Sounds From Norway
1967: Rosemalt Sound, with Alf Cranner
1974: Syng, klapp & swing - Grammofonplate med barn og Harald Gundhus (Dyklestiker Grannofon 2005)