At the time, I had the record for the high jump at San Francisco State and even got an invite to have a chance to qualify for the US Olympic team for the 1956 Melbourne Olympics. I was a high jumper (and basketball player) in high school and college. What did your time in sports help you with in the music industry? Some say athletics and team sports help shape an individual.
It did get nominated for a GRAMMY, so I think we did okay.
Duke Ellington was one of my idols growing up and I wanted to do his music justice, so I put a lot of pressure on myself to do the best possible recording. Which of your albums was the most difficult to create?Įven though it turned out to be one of my favorite albums, “IN A SENTIMENTAL MOOD: MATHIS SINGS ELLINGTON,” was a challenge for me to record. He has taken time to answer some questions about his life in the music industry. From Opera training to college sports, Mathis is multitalented performer who has become the voice of romance through the decades. Johnny Mathis has recorded more than 80 albums, 6 Christmas albums, and has sold millions of records, worldwide.
