The Brockton High School Jazz Band led by Vincent Macrina led the tribute which was attended by many of Johnson's musician friends.  The theater was filled with over 1000 fans, friends and family. 

Ted Belastock, jazz enthusiast and Vice President of the New England Jazz Alliance, thanked all of us whose lives Dick had touched, for coming here to pay tribute to him today.  He said "Dick made the world better.  He and his music will not be forgotten."

Ted introduced all his musician friends here, Paul Schmeling on piano, Marshall Wood on acoustic string bass, Gray Sargent guitar, Gary Johnson drums, Arnie Krakowski on tenor sax,  Ted Casher on clarinet, Lou Colombo trumpet, George Masso trombone.  They started with I Love You Madly then moved to a medley,  Dear Heart, Two for the Road, The Song Has Ended, fabulous guitar solo on the first chorus with rhythm playing lightly in background.

With all that talent on the stage, they hadn't decided who would be in charge, and who or what they would play next.  Lou Colombo stepped up, taking the lead.  He laughed and said "Wait 'till you get to be my age!"

Dick's family was in the audience, his wife Rose, and daughter Pamela (Mrs. Gray Sargent.)  The band played the song Dick always played for Rose, Gone With The Wind. Peppy, upbeat tune, piano intro, Lou playing the first chorus holding the trumpet in one hand. 

 Pianist Bob Winter, who was in Dick's orchestra, came out to play I Hear a Rhapsody, backed by  Gray Sargent on guitar and Marshall Wood on string bass.

Schmelling returned to the piano for Benny Moten's old Count Basie Theme, Moten Swing. They  were having fun improvising, testing, challenging each other. Ted was great on tenor sax,  followed by Masso on trombone, and Colombo on trumpet.  Arnie followed with Lou, Gray on guitar with Someday Sunday, Marshall humming along while playing his string bass.