Molly Johnson facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Molly Johnson
Johnson performing in 2008
Background information
Birth name	Margaret Leslie Johnson
Born	1959 (age 65–66) Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Genres	Jazz, rock, pop
Occupation(s)	Singer, songwriter
Years active	1979–present
Associated acts	Infidels, Alta Moda, Big Sugar, Tom Cochrane, Breeding Ground, Blue Monday, John Alcorn

Molly Johnson is a talented Canadian singer known for her amazing pop and jazz music. She has received the Order of Canada, which is a big honor in Canada.

About Molly Johnson

Early Life and Family

Molly Johnson started performing when she was just a child. She learned a lot at the National Ballet School and the Banff School of Fine Arts. Her brother, Clark Johnson, is a well-known actor and director. Her sister, Taborah Johnson, is also an actor and singer. They are all famous Canadian performers.

Molly grew up in Toronto, Ontario. In the mid-1960s, when she was in grade school, producer Ed Mirvish chose her and her brother for a play. They appeared in Porgy and Bess at the Royal Alexandra Theatre. After that, Molly performed in other musicals like South Pacific and Finian's Rainbow.

Molly wanted to become a choreographer, so she joined the National Ballet School. By the time she was 17, Molly was the lead singer of a disco band called A Chocolate Affair. This group played together for just over a year.

Music Career and Bands

Molly Johnson was the lead singer for two rock bands. In the 1980s, she sang with Alta Moda. In the 1990s, she was with Infidels. Both bands had popular songs in Canada. Alta Moda's hit was "Julian," and Infidels had "100 Watt Bulb" and "Celebrate." However, both bands released only one album before they broke up.

In the 1980s, Molly also sang backup for a Toronto group called Breeding Ground. She was featured on their songs "Happy Now I Know" and "Ceremony of Love." These songs were often played on college radio and MuchMusic. She also performed live with them when she wasn't busy with Alta Moda.

In 1989, Molly sang "The Best We Both Can Be" for the movie Babar: The Movie. She also lent her voice to Babar and the Adventures of Badou in 2010.

Jazz Music and Solo Albums

Molly Johnson has been a jazz singer throughout her career. She first sang jazz with Aaron Davis and David Piltch in a band called Blue Monday. Later, she performed with musicians who would become the famous band Big Sugar.

Even though she sang jazz for many years, Molly did not release her first solo jazz album until 2000. This album was called Molly. She then released Another Day in 2003. Both albums were very popular in Canada and also in France. Molly still tours in France today. In 2006, she released her third solo album, Messin' Around.

Molly made history at the Toronto Downtown Jazz Festival. She was the first Canadian female singer to sell out a show on the main stage in the festival's 17-year history. She has performed for important people like Prince Charles and Princess Diana aboard the Royal Yacht Britannia. She has also sung for Nelson Mandela and Quincy Jones.

Awards and Recognition

In 2007, Molly Johnson was made an Officer of the Order of Canada. This is one of Canada's highest honors. On March 8, 2023, the French government gave her another special award. She received the Chevalier dans l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres. This award celebrates her contributions to arts and literature.

From September 2008 to December 2013, Molly was the weekend host of CBC Radio 2's Radio 2 Morning.

On November 11, 2008, Molly released her fourth album, Lucky. This album featured classic songs. In March 2009, Lucky won the Juno Award for Vocal Jazz Album of the Year.

Charity Work and Projects

Starting in 1993, Molly Johnson organized a yearly concert series called the Kumbaya Festival. This festival raised money for Canadian charities that help people with HIV and AIDS. She helped collect over $1 million to support those living with AIDS/HIV.

Molly is currently working on The Black History Project: Canada. This project aims to update Canadian history. It will include more information about the impact and involvement of Black Canadian history and the Underground Railroad.

Discography

• Molly (Oasis Entertainment, 1999)
• Another Day (Marquis, 2002)
• Messin' Around (Anthem and Universal Canada, 2006), re-released as If You Know Love (Verve, 2007)
• Lucky (Verve and Universal Canada, 2008)
• The Molly Johnson Songbook (Universal Canada and A440 Entertainment, 2011), compilation
• Because of Billie (Universal Canada, 2014)
• Meaning to Tell Ya (Belle Productions, 2018)
• This Holiday Season (Universal Music Canada, 2020)- EP, Holiday album
• It's a Snow Globe World (Universal Music Canada, 2021), Holiday album (including re-release of This Holiday Season EP