Biography

Multitalented singer/songwriter Sonia Johnson has earned success and recognition with albums including the French original jazz recording Le Carré de nos amours (Juno Winner, Vocal Jazz Album of the Year 2012); Triades, with singers Annie Poulain and Charles Biddle Jr. (ADISQ Nomination 2013 and Junos 2014); Le cœur à l’endroit, alongside Marianne Trudel; Chrysalis, a record acclaimed by international reviews and ranked #1 in 2019 by Christophe Rodriguez of SortiesJazzNights.com, Airs givrés, a mini-album on winter theme or Ladies of jazz a concert tribute to the great female jazz performers.

In April 2017, for the centenary of her favourite jazz singer, Sonia produced Dialogues Ella & Joe, with accomplished guitarist Stephen Johnston.  She was also the voice of lectures on jazz given by host Stanley Péan in several venues throughout Quebec. An alumna of the University of Montreal, with a Master’s degree in jazz performance and composition, she has successful collaborations as a lyricist or composer with artists such as Laila Biali, Steven Taetz, Félix Stüssi (Les Malcommodes, Ray Anderson) or Rodrigo Simoes.

When a composer or an ensemble requires a particular voice to carry a daring project, it is often her getting the call. Her ability to improvise, her sensitivity as an interpreter, and her flexible vocal range has led her to be the featured soloist in the bold work of Lorraine Desmarais, Vincent Rehel, Joe Sullivan, Oktopus or l’Orchestre national de jazz de Montréal. 

Sonia is celebrating 20 years of musical entrepreneurship by re-editing her debut album Don’t Explain and presenting the 20 Years of Jazz and company concert, a perfect opportunity to discover the enduring vision of this extraordinary artist.