Jazz group led by veteran alto saxophonist and vocalist Carlos Johnson. Johnson had played with the Tunemakers (‘50s), the Bim Bam Boo Trio (‘60s), and with Cornell Muldrow at the Lucky Number Club (‘60s). He also toured with vocal star Damita Jo for many years.
Zone 1 consisted of Carlos with Tom Hurley (organ), Mack Rucks (trumpet ex-Soul Brothers, Jazz Five), John Lamkin (trumpet -Luther Ingram’s Unit Truth), and Gene Watkins (drums). Other members included Marshall Booze (guitar), and Al McKinney (keyboards) who also toured nationally with Luther Ingram for two years before returning to Baltimore and forming the band Inner Visions, which later became Pockets.
Zone 1 could be heard as house band at the Sportsmen’s Lounge. In April ‘78 the group performed at a benefit concert for Jimmy Johnsun at the Sportsmen’s Lounge. In the ‘80s Zone 1 could be seen at the Soul Shack, and they continued to play at Duffy’s in the ‘00s.
Rucks also played for the Adams-Barber-Rucks Quintet. Johnson, Rucks, and Booze were with In Flight in the ‘80s. Hurley and Booze later with Endangered Species…
