This show is presented in partnership
with Jazz Winnipeg and Winterruption.
Known as one of Canada’s greatest voices, award-winning jazz vocalist Molly Johnson is a mother, singer-songwriter, artist and philanthropist, who has just released her highly anticipated new album, “Meaning To Tell Ya”. Produced by multiple GRAMMY Award winning Producer, Larry Klein (Joni Mitchell, Tracy Chapman, Madeleine Peyroux, Melody Gardot, Norah Jones); it is more than a jazz record. It’s funk, it’s soul, it’s groove played by some of Canada’s best musicians. Says Molly: “Working with Larry was magic. When it was finally my turn, I jumped at the opportunity. This is a record I have been wanting to make for years. I can’t wait to share it with everyone!” Says Larry: “Molly has the kind of musical gift that cannot be cultivated by musical education or assiduous practice. She has great natural musical instincts, and an irresistible signature to her voice. She is a rare and wonderful talent.”
Molly’s story starts in the mid-sixties when as a young grade schooler, she and her brother, Clark Johnson, were tapped by legendary Toronto icon and producer Ed Mirvish to appear in Porgy and Bess at the Royal Alexander Theatre. In time, Porgy and Bess was followed by South Pacific, Finian’s Rainbow and other classic musicals. With the desire to become a choreographer, the budding child star was soon enrolled in the National Ballet School. Eventually Molly was taken with the idea of writing songs and the future chanteuse began to see herself as a potential songwriter.
At 15 years old, Molly fronted a disco band, A Chocolate Affair, lasting just over a year. In 1979, she formed a funky art rock group, Alta Moda (Italian for “High Style”), which later morphed into the harder rocking Infidels. While Molly was trying to make headway in the world of rock and roll with both Alta Moda and Infidels, she began a parallel career as a jazz singer.
By the late 1990s, Molly had started her family and, being burned twice by record companies, was contemplating giving up on the music business – until Toronto songwriter and producer Steven Mackinnon suggested she should write some songs with him. The partnership proved successful after a dozen or so songs when MacKinnon declared, “I think we have a record.” The debut jazz album Molly Johnson (2000) was issued to critical acclaim but unfortunately, Molly’s record company, Sony Corp., went bankrupt shortly after the CD’s release. Three years later, she recorded her second jazz-pop release, Another Day (2003), which led her to become a bonafide star in France.
Molly’s next album, Messin’ Around (2006), was her first album recorded with Universal Music Canada. Recorded “live” off the floor alongside her band mates in 14 days, the result was an extraordinary and sophisticated pop record that infused Molly’s well-honed melodic skills, artful Tin Pan Alley style lyrics, jazz phrasing and overall pop sensibility.
Since then, Molly has released two more albums, which includes Lucky (2008) and The Molly Johnson Songbook (2011). In 2009, Molly won a Juno Award for Best Vocal Jazz Album for her fourth full-length, career milestone album Lucky and also received the 2009 National Jazz Award for Best Female Vocalist.
Molly has performed throughout Canada, the United States, and France and alongside renowned artists including Tom Cochrane, Blue Rodeo, Tom Jones, Jackie Richardson, Anne Murray, Stéphane Grappelli, Peter Appleyard and more. Molly has also graced the stage performing for some of the world’s most prominent icons including the Prince and late Princess of Wales on the Royal Yacht Britannia, as well as Nelson Mandela and legendary producer and trumpeter Quincy Jones. Molly is also the sister of Clark Johnson(actor/director), Ron Johnson (social worker) and Tabby Johnson (actress/singer).
Dedicated to supporting communities in need, Molly established the Kumbaya Foundation and Festival in 1992, raising awareness and funds for people living with HIV/AIDS, and continues to work with several other charitable organizations each year. Molly has been awarded the Queen’s Jubilee medal, and in 2008, was honoured with becoming an Officer of The Order Of Canada (O.C.). This rare distinction was given to Molly to recognize her philanthropic work for a variety of causes and for her international contributions to the arts. In 2016, Molly launched the Kensington Market Jazz Festival, which fills this colourful and vibrant area of Toronto with over 400 local Canadian musicians, performing 150+ shows over one weekend in September to more than 5000 enthusiastic music fans. www.kensingtonjazz.com
Molly was the voice of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) Radio 2 Weekend Morning program where she eased listeners into their weekend with great Canadian songs, and stories about musicians and the people of Canada, from coast to coast. The Canadian music icon’s latest release, the Juno nominated, Because of Billie (2014) is a celebration of the music of Billie Holiday. Billie Holiday’s journey inspires Johnson not only as an artist, but as a model citizen. Paying homage to Holiday’s childhood struggles, Johnson donated a portion of album sales to the Boys & Girls Clubs.