Toronto – June 14 , 2013
Award-winning jazz vocalist Molly Johnson, known as one of Canada’s greatest voices, is performing at the 2013 TD Toronto Jazz Festival on Friday, June 21, 2013 and Saturday, June 22, 2013 at the Jazz Bistro (251 Victoria St.).

Performing with special guest Colleen Allen, the Friday performances are free of charge and will take place at 8 PM and 10:30 PM; the Saturday performances at 8 PM and 10:30 PM are $35.60 per ticket. Tickets can be purchased at www.torontojazz.com.

Running from June 20-29, 2013 at venues across the city, the TD Toronto Jazz Festival is one of North America’s premier jazz festivals. Featuring over 350 performances and 1,500 musicians, the festival has become a destination event, not just for music lovers but for some of the greatest jazz celebrities in the world.

Molly is a mother, singer-songwriter, artist and philanthropist who has grown to become a Canadian icon that has made her mark on the worldwide jazz scene.

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 producer Ed Mirvish to appear in Porgy and Bess at the Royal Alex Theatre. In time Porgy and Bess was followed by South Pacific, Finian’s Rainbow and other now-classic musicals. The budding child star was soon enrolled in the National Ballet School as she desired to become a choreographer. Molly was taken with the idea of writing songs and the future chanteuse began to think of herself as a potential songwriter.

Since then, Molly has performed throughout Canada, the United States, and France and has performed alongside world renowned artists including Tom Cochrane, Celine Dion, Blue Rodeo, Anne Murray, and more.

Molly has also performed for the world’s most renowned icons like Prince and late Princess of Wales on the Royal Yacht Britannia, as well as Nelson Mandela and Quincy Jones.

Making a mark on history, Molly was the first Canadian female vocalist in the Toronto Downtown Jazz Festival’s 17-year-history to sell out a show on the mainstage.

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. Her voice evokes the aura of dark, smoky night clubs of a bygone era. It speaks to an emotional depth that few vocalists in any genre ever reach. Molly has rocked standing-room only audiences in nightclubs and bars from coast-to-coast, seducing salon and lounge patrons with her luscious interpretations of jazz and blues standards.

Dedicated to supporting those in need, in 1992 Molly established the Kumbaya Foundation and Festival, raising awareness and funds for people living with HIV/AIDS, and she continues to work with countless other charitable organizations every year. Molly has been awarded the Queen’s Jubilee medal, and in 2008, was honoured with becoming an Officer of The Order Of Canada. 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.

Currently, Molly is also the voice of the CBC Radio 2 Weekend Morning program where she eases listeners into their weekend with great Canadian songs and stories about musicians and the people of Canada, from coast to coast to coast.

For more information visit:
www.mollyjohnson.com

Like Molly Johnson on Facebook:
www.facebook.com/mollyjohnsonmusic

Available for interviews:
Molly Johnson

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For media inquiries please contact:
Pennant Media Group
Kevin Pennant [email protected]
Toronto 416.596.2978
USA 855.596.2978