Article Contributed by Dan Ward
Published on January 26, 2026
photo by Dan Ward
Humans are complicated creatures. We live in a world full of contradictions, guided by our perceptions and surprised at their fallacies. Enter the concept of music: a language all its own, with rules guided by outcome rather than convention. Just like learning to speak, novice musicians struggle to learn the technical aspects while bewildered by the ease with which masters convey intention and emotion. True master musicians can tell a story without uttering a single word.
This is how we came to know Pennal Johnson — a gentle giant who coaxes sweet melodies and righteous grooves out of his electric bass, proclaiming immense talent and deep empathy for humanity. He is also a police officer in one of the toughest cities on earth. This year, Pennal decided to give the world a Christmas gift: the gift of his immeasurable talent.
The release begins with “Santas Reindeer,” a funky, bouncy cut that sets a happy, laid-back mood. An uncomplicated opening gives way to some of the most precise bass playing around. Pennal shifts seamlessly between smooth, silky lyrical lines and punchy staccato shout-outs. He is a master of the fretboard, flashing amazing technique with lightning-fast runs. It is the first track, and our feet are already moving.
GW: Where do you get your inspiration?
PJ: My inspiration comes from people and moments. Everyday life has its own rhythm—the way someone laughs, the weight of silence, the tension and release you feel just walking through a city. Music lets me process all of that. I’m inspired by joy, struggle, faith, and the human need to connect. Whether I’m wearing a badge or holding a bass, I’m constantly observing, listening, and trying to translate what I feel into sound.
The standard “Angels We Have Heard on High” is given new life in jazz form. Piano, organ, and drums make up the instrumentation, but the effect is much larger. No choir needed — you can hear every voice in your head as the familiar melody calls out to Christmases of long ago.
GW: What happy Christmas memories inspired your interpretation of “Angels”?
PJ: Growing up, Christmas meant family, church, and togetherness. I remember hearing those melodies sung with such conviction that they stayed with me long after the service ended. My interpretation comes from those moments—standing in a packed sanctuary, voices filling the room, feeling warmth even when it was cold outside. I wanted the music to bring back that feeling of shared joy and quiet reverence.
Horns, drums, and an in-your-face bass line dominate Pennal’s take on Donny Hathaway’s “This Christmas.” His soaring obbligato over the main theme brings the holiday into focus. The emotions are bright and shiny, like city storefronts and neighborhoods full of Christmas cheer.
GW: What do you do to make Christmastime special for you and your family?
PJ: For me, it’s about being present. Slowing down, sharing meals, laughing, and making space for gratitude. Music is always part of it—whether I’m playing or just listening—but the real gift is time together. Christmas reminds me to appreciate what truly matters and to create memories that last longer than the season.
“Christ” permeates the album with a feeling of love and devotion while the sax cries out mournfully. This cut is deeply emotional, exuding pain, pleasure, desire, loss, and redemption. The piece is subdued and poignant. PJ’s bass line is simple yet intense, supporting the heavy subject with a velvet touch.
GW: The song “Christ” seems very personal. Who shaped your beliefs growing up, and how do you use them in your life?
PJ: My family and my faith shaped me deeply. I was taught early on about compassion, accountability, and love for others. Those beliefs guide how I move through the world, how I treat people, and how I approach my work and my music. Christ reflects that inner conversation—the struggle, the hope, the redemption. It’s my way of expressing gratitude and acknowledging that faith is something you live, not just talk about.
“Polk Street” sends us for an even ride through the city. You can feel neighborhoods rolling by while watching people go about daily life. This is Chicago in a song — it feels like the city.
GW: What is special about Polk Street, the place?
PJ: Polk Street is where I grew and it represents the heartbeat of the city of Chicago to me. It’s movement, diversity, history, and everyday life all happening at once. You see people chasing dreams, just getting by, or simply enjoying the moment. That energy inspires me. The song is my musical snapshot of a place that feels alive no matter the time of day.
The ride is in full swing, and Pennal makes time stand still with “Bounce.” This is the soundtrack to cruise along a snow-covered landscape. The song speaks to the subconscious, sending good vibes and happy thoughts through your whole being. Your corpus callosum gets a soothing workout as the music slides down neural pathways and pulls images from the past into view.
GW: The idea of connecting the left and right brain is always a deep thought. How do you connect your musical talents with your work?
PJ: Both require listening, empathy, and discipline. Music teaches me patience and awareness—how to read a room, how to respond instead of react. My work grounds me in reality, and my music helps me process what I experience. They balance each other. One feeds the soul, the other reminds me why the soul matters.
Grooving us back into the station, “Press” is a tour-de-force of musical expression. PJ’s bass lines are unabashedly joyous while motion and melody blur at the speed of thought. The song feels almost too sunny and bright to belong on a Christmas album, but it absolutely works.
GW: The song “Press” feels like it has a great story to tell. Can you give us some insight?
PJ: Press is about momentum—pushing forward even when things feel heavy. It’s about joy, resilience, and trusting the groove of life. Sometimes you don’t have all the answers, but you keep moving, keep believing, and keep creating. That energy is what drives the song.
Going out on a high note might seem odd for a bass player, but “Thumping Hearts” is a ripping joyride that does exactly that, even down low. The bassline is instantly memorable, moving in and setting up camp in your mind. This final cut feels like a signal to repeat the entire album.
GW: You’ve given the world a truly magical gift. What would you like to say to all your fans?
PJ: Thank you. Every listen, every share, every message means more than you know. This music comes from my heart, and knowing it connects with people is the greatest blessing. I’m grateful for the support, the love, and the opportunity to share my journey through music. Keep listening, keep believing, and keep spreading good energy.
Follow Pennal Johnson
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pjonbass
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1BqpD8RaW8/
YouTube: https://youtube.com/channel/UC29pH1WXxKLeDCrTBwaubLQ
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@pennaljohnson0
Listen
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/pennal-johnson/1021279078
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2ZlbcEScOw2mtIUuLNRJBG
YouTube Music: https://music.youtube.com/channel/UC8m2HD4b0qMy6WK_EiSNuFQ
