Sonia Johnson

soniajohnson.com


A JUNO Award winner, she turns jazz into a landscape of words, rhythms and encounters.​

BIOGRAPHY

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Multitalented singer/songwriter Sonia Johnson has earned success and recognition with heralbums including the French original jazz recording Le Carré de nos amours (Juno Winner, Vocal Jazz Album of the Year 2012), Chrysalis, a record acclaimed by international reviews, Airs givrés, a miniature on the theme of winter or Ladies of Jazz a tribute concert to her favorite vocalists. Sonia is the go-to voice when composers need someone to elevate challenging material. Her improvisational talent, emotional depth, and remarkable vocal flexibility have made her the featured soloist for projects by l’Orchestre National de Jazz de Montreal, Lorraine Desmarais and Oktopus. Her collaborations as a lyricist extend to partnerships with respected jazz artists likeLaila Biali, Félix Stüssi and Rodrigo Simões. Now celebrating two decades of musical entrepreneurship, Sonia marked this milestone by reissuing her debut album, Don't Explain, by writing her first bookLa nature de mes mots, and with the concert 20 years of jazz and company.In 2026, she will release a few singles that will lead to Perspectives, her new album (January2027); giving a perfect opportunity to experience this extraordinary artist's enduring vision.​​

AWARDS

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​2014 - JUNO Nominee Jazz vocal album of the year - Triades

2013 - ADISQ Nominee ​for best album of the year, category Jazz Creation - Triades
2012 - JUNO Winner Jazz vocal album of the year -​ Le Carré de nos amours
2011 - ADISQ Nominee​ for best album of the year, category Jazz Creation -​ Le Carré de nos amours
2008 - Gagnante catégorie Chansonneur du Festival en chanson de Petite-Vallée


FROM QUEBEC - CANADA​

AVAILABLE PROJECTS

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New!

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CHAPEAUX!!!

​Jazz Quartet


VIDEOS

​Chapeaux!!!

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​20 ans de jazz et de chansons - Concert anniversaire !​

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The first vocal jazz artist to win a JUNO Award for original French-language music, Sonia Johnson celebrates twenty years of her career with Chapeaux!!!, a warm and generous anniversary concert.


Conceived as an immersive musical documentary, Chapeaux!!! weaves together archival footage, personal stories, new songs and the spontaneity of traditional jazz. Surrounded by her longtime musical collaborators, Sonia invites audiences behind the scenes of her creative world on a vibrant, heartfelt and free-spirited journey — much like the Quebec vocal jazz she has helped shape: technically impeccable, yet never cold, and always deeply alive.

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MUSICIENS 

  • Sonia Johnson – voice, percussions and arrangements ​
  • ​David Ryshpan - piano
  • Rémi-Jean Leblanc - bass, double bass
  • Camil Belisle - drums



TRIBUTE TO THE LADIES OF JAZZ

Duo voice and guitare 

Possibility of trio adding a double bass​


VIDEOS

​Fascinating Rhythm​​​​

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After you've gone - À ton départ​

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My man - Mon homme​


Canadian jazz vocalist Sonia Johnson (Juno Award winner) and guitarist Stephen Johnston, after thrilling audiences with their tribute to Ella Fitzgerald and Joe Pass Dialogues Ella & Joe are pairing up again with the proposal Ladies of jazz. Enjoy interpretations that highlight the great female voices which shaped the history of vocal jazz. A repertoire unveiled with the audacity of Sarah Vaughan, the playful touch of Blossom Dearie, the candor of Peggy Lee and other outstanding singers. Immortal tunes from the American, French or Brazilian songbook, performed with passion by two talented musicians.​

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MUSICIANS​​

  • ​Sonia Johnson, voice
  • Stephen Johnston, guitar​
  • ​Frédéric Grenier​, ​double bass



AIRS GIVRÉS

​Duo piano and voice

Possibility of trio adding a double bass​


VIDEOS

Airs givrés live (excerpts)​


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NEW! Airs givrés is a collection of winter songs, unique like each snow flake that falls. For this project, Sonia reunites with Luc Beaugrand, a valuable collaborator with whom she won the Juno for Vocal Jazz Album of the Year in 2012. Often described as one of the most beautiful in Canadian jazz, Sonia Johnson's voice is powerful, flexible and velvety. On this latest album, the pianist arrangements bring out the best in her, amplifying the interpretive qualities of her partner. Reunited around a piano, it’s time to simply enjoy a walk in the cold from the "first murmurs of winter", to the last jolts of the season, when the snow gives way to the spring rain.

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MUSICIENS​

  • Sonia Johnson, voice
  • Luc Beaugrand, piano, keyboards and arrangements
  • ​Frédéric Alarie, ​double bass

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