Mathis remained in New York over the summer, performing in the city’s major nightclubs while Columbia reconsidered their approach. Despite Johnny’s obvious talent, and the accompaniment of first-rate musicians, the record attracted little attention. Avakian, who had only heard Mathis performing in a jazz context, produced an album in a similar vein, Johnny Mathis: A New Sound In Popular Music. Music won out, and Johnny Mathis traveled to New York City to record his first record in March 1956. He was invited to attend the 1956 Olympic trials, but by then, Avakian had scheduled a recording session in New York, and Mathis had a difficult choice to make. Meanwhile, Johnny Mathis returned to his studies and continued to attract the attention of the local press with his feats as a high jumper. He passed up the Olympic trials to make his first album. Mathis excelled at the high jump at San Francisco State.

Send blank contracts.” After signing Mathis to a contract with Columbia Records, Avakian returned to New York to plan the singer’s recording debut. Avakian, who headed the jazz department at Columbia Records, sent a famous telegram to the label’s New York office: “Have found phenomenal 19-year-old boy who could go all the way. Noga invited record producer George Avakian to hear Mathis sing. His second album helped define the Mathis sound of soft, romantic ballads. Mathis’s first record album, Johnny Mathis: A New Sound in Popular Music, was a slow-selling jazz album, but Mathis stayed in New York City to sing in nightclubs. Johnny Mathis was only 19 years old when he signed a recording contract with Columbia Records. March 1956: Johnny Mathis arrives in New York City for his first session with Columbia Records. One club owner, Helen Noga, was so impressed she offered to manage the young man’s singing career. He also began to sing in local nightclubs with the jazz band of his friend Virgil Gonsalves. In college, he continued to compete in track and field, excelling at the high jump. After high school, he enrolled at San Francisco State to study English and physical education, with the intention of becoming a teacher. The young Johnny Mathis was also an outstanding athlete, playing on the George Washington High School basketball team and competing in track and field. Johnny won the contest.īy age 13, he was studying voice seriously with teacher Connie Cox, who gave him a thorough grounding in classical vocal technique. 13-year-old Johnny Mathis’ first public performance at a talent show in San Francisco.

Clem Mathis taught Johnny his first songs, and soon the boy was singing in a church choir, at school assemblies, and on local television.

Of the seven children, Johnny took the greatest interest in music, to the delight of his father, who sang and played the piano. His mother, Mildred, worked as a housekeeper, his father Clem as a chauffeur. Johnny Mathis was born in the small town of Gilmer, Texas, but the family relocated to San Francisco before he reached school age.

The best days of my life johnny mathis