Molly Johnson

Molly Johnson, a distinguished Canadian vocalist, has dedicated her career to jazz and soul music, earning significant accolades and contributing to community arts initiatives. After gaining early foundational experiences appearing in theatrical productions like ‘Porgy and Bess’ and ‘South Pacific’ at the Royal Alexandra Theatre, Molly Johnson went on to lead the disco band A Chocolate Affair. She then fronted two rock bands, Alta Moda in the 1980s and Infidels in the 1990s, both of which produced notable singles in Canada before disbanding after a single album each. During the 1980s, she also contributed backing vocals to the Toronto group Breeding Ground and performed the song ‘The Best We Both Can Be’ for the 1989 film ‘Babar: The Movie’.

A dedicated philanthropist, Johnson founded the Kumbaya Festival in 1993, a concert series benefiting Canadian HIV and AIDS charities that successfully raised over $1 million and contributed to the establishment of Toronto’s Casey House. She has performed for dignitaries including Prince Charles, Princess Diana, Nelson Mandela, and Quincy Jones, solidifying her status as a respected figure in the arts. More recently, Molly Johnson served as a juror for the Giller Prize and released her latest work, the ‘All I See’ EP. Her career continues to blend artistic excellence with significant community impact.