Celebrating Black History Month

From The Globe & Mail
Thurs Aug, 2009
A chance meeting bewtween film maker Clement Virgo at a Toronto bookstore produced a deal to bring author Lawrence Hill's bestselling novel The Book of Negroes to the screen in an international co-production. more

Molly was very impressed with the beautiful job that Harper Collins has done with the new illustrated version. You can watch a video trailer for this gorgeous effort here: http://www.harpercollins.ca

Molly and many others will miss
ARTHUR RANDOLPH (RANDY) PADMORE

Beloved friend Arthur Randolph, died suddenly in a car accident on Friday, May 22, 2009 in Mississauga. He helped many young people in his time. He will be forever in our hearts. Donations can be made to the Co-op Housing Federation of Toronto's Charitable Fund. The fund supports the work that Randy was doing with young people living in the Alexandra Park neighbourhood and raises money for the CHFT Diversity Scholarship Program. 'Always look out for the other guy.' more about RANDY

June Callwood
June 2, 1924 - April 14, 2007

Canadian journalist, author and social activist, as well as a dear friend to Molly. She will be missed. Please consider giving to any of the many charities she helped start:
caseyhouse.com
jessiescentre.org
stephenlewisfoundation.org

HIV/AIDS - You can help
This epidemic continues to threaten our children... something must be done.

Molly believes that there is a message that needs to be heard; to clear the misconceptions surrounding HIV/AIDS, here and around the world. Young people are getting mixed messages while the epidemic continues. Molly believes people like Stephen Lewis, Warchild, Teresa Group and many others, deserve to be supported. Please show your support now. Stephen Lewis Foundation

GIVING

Happy New Year!
Happy New Year to everyone! Good news to open 2012, The Molly Johnson Songbook has hit #1 on the iTunes jazz chart! Thanks to everyone who has picked up the album - for those that haven't, click here to get it from iTunes.

The arts community gathered at Hart House in Toronto this week to launch a new program that will benefit African communities affected by AIDS. For more information, click here: www.stephenlewisfoundation.org

New Record, “The Molly Johnson Songbook”– Out November. 29th, 2011

The Molly Johnson Songbook (Universal Music Canada/A440 Entertainment) is a collection of Molly’s most beloved and well-known recordings from her 4 studio albums during the period of 2000 -2011. The record features Molly’s distinctive voice – a unique mixture of soul and jazz - via her luscious interpretations of jazz standards & originals such as “Lush Life”, “Ode To Billie Joe”, “Melody” & “Rain”.

This first-ever compilation features 14 studio recordings and 3 bonus tracks - including a Cole Porter composition not included in the Juno Award Winning “Lucky” sessions and 2 songs written by Daniel Lanois and Produced by Michael Timmins of Cowboy Junkies.

Exclusive Live-To-Air Performance onToronto’s Jazz 91.1 FM
Tuesday, November 29th, 2011 @ 7:00 pm

Molly will be delivering an exclusive Live-To-Air performance & interactive discussion with Jazz FM 91.1 President & CEO Ross Porter on November 29th at 7:00 pm.

Performing material from her new album “The Molly Johnson Songbook”, she will be joined by arguably Canada’s greatest rhythm section - Mike Downes on Bass, Robi Botos on Piano & Davide Direnzoon drums. Also joining Molly will be Colleen Allen on saxophones & Kevin Barrett on Guitar.

Tickets are available only to Jazz 91.1 FM donors - Click there to be a part of this exclusive performance.

For more information on the event, visit:
http://jazz.fm/index.php/component/content/article/5244

Tour Updates/Upcoming Shows
Molly has just returned from her U.S dates in California where she performed at premiere jazz clubs, Yoshi’s in San Francisco & Catalina’s in Los Angeles. Molly and her trio stunned audiences with their renditions of standards & original material. Being Molly’s first trip to California, the turnout was phenomenal! She is looking forward to making it out there again!

For all the fans in Toronto, Molly has two shows within the months of October & November. Molly & her trio will be performing at The Young Centre for the Performing Arts as part of the Soul Pepper Cabaret on October 28th, 2011.

For tickets, visit:
http://www.youngcentre.ca/Tickets/reserve.aspx?perf=5044

Molly & her Trio on November 19th at The Village of Yorkville Park.
http://bloor-yorkville.com/

2011 Toronto Jazz Festival

Torontoist
Molly Johnson at the Jazz Festival

National Post
Looking back on Toronto Jazz Festival’s 25 years...

Toronto Star
New Strategy Nets Massive Turnout

June 28, 2011 - Written by Christopher Jones

It was old home week at the Cameron Public House last night when Molly Johnson sat down with pianist Aaron Davis to reprise her famous Blue Monday show. The gig was a one-off, a kind of warm-up to the singer’s mainstage show at the TD Toronto Jazz Festival tomorrow night (June 29) backing up the Count Basie Orchestra.
Read more...

Please donate to Dare to Wear Love to fight AIDS in Africa
www.daretowearlove.com

I would like to thank the fans that came out to support this show! It was a wonderful evening and I had a fantistic time. I would also like to thank the crew of the Mississauga Living Arts Centre for making the show a success.

Robi Botos - Piano | Mike Downes - Bass | Ben Riley - Drums

Molly Johnson
Cabaret Series with special guest Albert Schultz
Thursday Sep 30 at 8:30pm
& Friday Oct 1 at 8:45pm
Young Centre for the
Performing Arts.
+ FRANCE in October. Check the details on those dates here: dates

Molly performed a golden set for the Vancouver 2010 Olympics at Ontario House. She was joined by Phil Dwyer (piano), Mike Downes (bass) and Davide Direnzo (piano). Molly would like to send her warm congrats to the athletes and all those who volunteered plus and a big thank you to Vancouver for making her feels so very welcome.

LUCKY Molly spent some quality time in the studios at the CBC in Toronto recording a rather live off the floor record of superb standards. In stores now!
more about the record

LUCKY scores Juno Award...
for Best Vocal Jazz Album of the Year!
Molly wins National Jazz Award...
for Best Female Vocalist 2009

Molly is some proud of her big brother Clark Johnson and his new film Nurse.Fighter.Boy where he stars as Silence in an urban love story about the soul of a mother, the heart of a fighter, and the faith of a child.

Officer of the Order of Canada

Canada's Governor General Michaëlle Jean and Molly Johnson OC photo CHRIS WATTIE

Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General of Canada, presided over the 101st investiture ceremony at Rideau Hall in Ottawa February 19, 2008 more

Molly became an Officer of The Order Of Canada. This Recognizes a lifetime of achievement and merit of a high degree, especially in service to Canada or to humanity at large. Considered the country's highest civilian honour, the Order celebrates a milestone anniversary on Canada Day: Created on July 1, 1967, the Order is celebrating 40 years of recognizing extraordinary Canadians and their achievements. Former prime minister Jean Chretien, golfer Mike Weir and broadcaster Pamela Wallin are also among 71 new appointees, announced by Gov. Gen. Michaelle Jean.

MOLLY JOHNSON "Live in Montreal" DVD available in Europe, coming to Canada soon! Filmed at the Montreal Jazz Festival more

Molly's song If You Know Love is on the soundtrack for John Dahl's film You Kill Me, starring Ben Kinsley, Tia Leoni and Luke Wilson.

Happy Holidays! Molly visits with Michael Enright

Molly will perfrom (along with talented pianist Robbie Botos) on CBC's The Sunday Edition on December 27th, 2009. between 11 - 12 on Sunday Morning on CBC Radio One.

How to listen

Molly Johnson w/ Ben Heppner ~ Baby, It's Cold Outside

World-renowned jazz sensation Molly Johnson and her sextet presented an evening of seasonal jazz favourites in new arrangements by Mike Downes and others. Also included are original songs composed by Molly herself. Joining Molly is the distinguished Canadian Wagnerian superstar, tenor Ben Heppner, who performed Christmas classics, gospel numbers, and of course a duet of the concert's theme song, "Baby, It's Cold Outside".

Listen to the CBC Radio 2 Broadcast - CBC's Concerts On Demand