Molly Johnson

Recognized as one of Canada’s greatest voices, jazz vocalist Molly Johnson is a singer-songwriter, artist, and philanthropist who has captivated audiences across Canada and Europe with her original songs and interpretations of jazz standards. A recipient of numerous honours—including two JUNO Awards, the Governor General’s Award, the Order of Canada, and France’s Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres—Molly has built an extraordinary career both on and off the stage. Beyond music, she founded the Kumbaya Festival in 1993 to support Canadians living with AIDS, helping lead to the creation of Toronto’s Casey House. Kumbaya remains the largest music fundraiser in Canadian history. She is also the founding artistic director of Toronto’s Kensington Market Jazz Festival, where she has championed hundreds of artists and celebrated the depth of the local jazz community.