Canada 
Piano Prodigy Jude Kofie to Headline Project Harmony’s 30th Anniversary Gala
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Molly Johnson, a distinguished Canadian vocalist, has dedicated her career to jazz and soul music, earning significant accolades and contributing to community arts initiatives.
Molly Johnson has released music with Universal Music Canada. Her new EP 'All I See' is a three-track project blending jazz and soul roots. Additionally, she signed for two more albums with Universal Music Canada with new music planned for release in the Spring.
Molly Johnson performed concerts in partnership with Jazz Winnipeg and Winterruption, indicating collaborations for live music events.
Molly Johnson is listed on Paquin Entertainment's artist roster, suggesting representation or booking services through the company.
Molly Johnson performed at the AGO on February 10, 2023, for a performance celebrating Black History Month and the landmark exhibition 'Denyse Thomasos: just beyond'. She also performed at the AGO several times over the years and is a member. She potentially has future performances, including one with the TSO in December.
Molly Johnson was the weekend host of CBC Radio 2's 'Radio 2 Morning' from September 2008 until December 2013.
Molly Johnson's biography and accomplishments are featured in The Canadian Encyclopedia, highlighting her significant cultural impact.
Molly Johnson, born Margaret Leslie Johnson in Toronto, Ontario, in 1959, began her performing career as a child. She received formal training from the National Ballet School and the Banff School of Fine Arts. Early foundational experiences included appearing in theatrical productions like ‘Porgy and Bess’ and ‘South Pacific’ at the Royal Alexandra Theatre. By age 17, she was leading a disco band called A Chocolate Affair. Her career trajectory later included fronting 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. She also contributed backing vocals to the Toronto group Breeding Ground during the 1980s.
Johnson transitioned increasingly into jazz, releasing her self-titled solo jazz debut album in 2000. This was followed by ‘Another Day’ (2003) and ‘Messin’ Around’ (2006). These albums achieved success both in Canada and France, leading to international touring. In 2007, she was appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada, recognizing her contributions to Canadian music and philanthropy. Her album ‘Lucky’ (2008) earned her a Juno Award for Vocal Jazz Album of the Year in 2009. Further national and international recognition came with the Governor General’s Award and the Chevalier Ordre des Arts et des Lettres, bestowed upon her by the French government in March 2023.
Beyond her musical career, Johnson is a dedicated philanthropist and patron of the arts. In 1993, she founded the Kumbaya Festival, a concert series benefiting Canadian HIV and AIDS charities, which raised over $1 million and contributed to the establishment of Toronto’s Casey House. She also serves as the founding artistic director of the Kensington Market Jazz Festival, an event she initiated to showcase local music talent and reflect the cultural depth of the Toronto music scene. Johnson has performed for dignitaries including Prince Charles, Princess Diana, Nelson Mandela, and Quincy Jones, solidifying her status as a respected figure in the arts.
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