#NEWMUSIC: MOLLY JOHNSON – “TALK TO ME” ALBUM RELEASE AT EL MOCAMBO

Following the release of her acclaimed new album Talk To Me, Canada’s beloved singer-songwriter Molly Johnson is inviting fans inside the celebration with a one-night-only album release event at Toronto’s legendary El Mocambo on Thursday, July 16, 2026.

While most album launch events are reserved for industry insiders, this intimate evening opens the doors to audiences for a rare opportunity to hear the stories behind the music and experience songs from the new album live.

Set beneath the El Mo’s famed neon palms, fans will experience an evening of music, conversation and connection. The special event will feature an intimate In-Conversation between Johnson and El Mocambo Executive Director Mike Chalut, an audience Q&A, and a 75-minute live performance showcasing songs from Talk To Me alongside selections from Johnson’s celebrated catalogue. A limited pre-show meet-and-greet opportunity will also be available for VIP ticket holders.

Talk To Me showcases Johnson’s unmistakable voice while introducing listeners to a bold new chapter in her artistic journey. Across the album, she collaborates with artists from across generations of Canadian music, including JUNO Award-winning rapper Haviah Mighty, rising producer and artist CUBE, and Jim Cuddy of Blue Rodeo. The result is a deeply collaborative body of work that blends soul, jazz, R&B and rock through Johnson’s singular artistic lens.

“It’s been many years since I last played the El Mocambo, and I can’t wait to be back with my brand-new record,” says Johnson. “For an album release, you want a room that has soul and history behind it, and there’s simply nowhere like the El Mo. There’s an energy to this place that feels timeless.”

Doors open at 6:30 p.m., with the In-Conversation beginning at 7 p.m. and the live performance starting at 8:30 p.m.

VIP tickets are $100 and include a post-show meet-and-greet with Johnson. Reserved seated general admission tickets are $75. Tickets are available now at ticketweb.ca

Long regarded as one of Toronto’s most iconic live music venues, the El Mocambo has welcomed generations of legendary performers to its stage and remains one of the city’s most celebrated cultural landmarks.

“The El Mocambo has always been a place where memorable music moments happen,” says Chalut. “To welcome Molly back to this stage to celebrate her new album is incredibly exciting. She’s one of Canada’s truly great voices and this event is going to be unforgettable for everyone in the room.”

More than a concert, this one-night-only event offers fans a rare opportunity to celebrate a new album alongside the artist who created it — through music, stories and conversation in one of Toronto’s most storied music rooms. With limited seating available, tickets are expected to sell quickly.

About Molly Johnson

Recognized as one of Canada’s greatest voices, jazz vocalist Molly Johnson is a mother, singer-songwriter, artist, and philanthropist. Throughout her life-spanning career, she has captivated audiences in Canada and Europe with her original pieces and interpretations of jazz standards. Unsurprisingly, Molly is a laureate of multiple notable awards, including two JUNO Awards, the Governor General’s Award, the Order of Canada, and the Chevalier Ordre des Arts et des Lettres. Outside her musical endeavors, Molly is also an avid supporter and patron of the arts. She launched the Kumbaya Festival in 1993 benefitting AIDS hospices and Canadians living with AIDS, contributing directly to the birth of Toronto’s Casey House. Kumbaya remains the largest music fundraiser in Canadian history. As the founding artistic director of Toronto’s Kensington Market Jazz Festival, Molly has introduced hundreds of performers and, in her own words, built a “local jazz festival that reflects the cultural depth” of the immediate music community.

Follow Molly @mollyjohnsonmusic | mollyjohnson.com

About The El Mocambo
An icon of Canadian music history, Toronto’s El Mocambo has hosted legendary performances from The Rolling Stones, U2, Blondie and many more. Revitalized under the ownership of Cyrus and Dr. Shilpa Madon, the El Mo continues to honour its storied legacy while bringing world-class live music and cultural experiences to audiences in the heart of Toronto.