Carly Johnson

Biography

After receiving her bachelor’s degree in music from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia in 2007, Carly returned home to Louisville and started performing as a jazz vocal/guitar duo with critically acclaimed guitarist Craig Wagner. They released their first album “It’s Pretty Standard” and in the same year the duo received the 2014 Louisville Music Award for Jazz Artist of the Year.

A mainstay in the Louisville music scene, Johnson has had the honor of performing with numerous greats, including Will Oldham, My Morning Jacket, Houndmouth, and Norah Jones. In 2012, Carly joined the 7-piece jazz-folk fusion band Liberation Prophecy led by saxophonist Jacob Duncan. May 2013 saw the debut of Liberation Prophecy’s record “Invisible House” and a release show at the legendary Blue Note jazz club in NYC. In 2015, Carly pooled her musical talent and growing local celebrity to form the Louisville-based I Heart, Heart tribute band, playing shows to raise funds for trailblazing charities. After deep diving into the vast Louisville music scene in various forms, Carly was ready to make her own music. Her self-titled album reflects the actualization of her own vision.

Since the beginning, Carly wanted to make her own record. To write and sing her own songs. In 2016, in a dark corner of Louisville bar Meta, came a chance encounter. While there singing jazz, Carly’s voice hit playwright Rolin Jones’ ear like a lush wall of sound. Without skipping a beat, Jones and his LA-based production company New Neighborhood jumped in to provide support for Carly’s first venture into original music. Since launching her own 8 piece band, she’s performed her original music with the Louisville Orchestra and in a plethora of venues across the country and internationally, including Forecastle Music Festival, Hotel Cafe in LA, Sound City Music Festival in the UK and at the iconic Cavern Club in Liverpool, England…a full circle moment as a dedicated fan of The Beatles. “Ever since I was a little girl…” is not just the opening phrase of Carly Johnson’s upcoming debut record…the path Carly carved for herself has been clear from the start. Fusing her musical education with her love and reverence for rock, soul, and pop music, her SELF-TITLED debut solo album “CARLY JOHNSON” is the summation of a dream. A dream filled with soul, with jazz, with R&B. Think Nina Simone crooning alongside Veruca Salt’s wailing guitars. Think Whitney Houston and Joni Mitchell with unwavering Motown backup singers and in-pocket percussion. And horns. Think Etta James meets Ann Wilson meets Amy Winehouse. That the album was co-written long-distance with close friend and college roommate, San Diego musician Charlotte Littlehales, is a testament to the dedication and hunger poured into each note and a tribute to the strong women musicians that came before…and ever since she was a little girl, Carly has been waiting for this release. Carly Johnson’s long awaited self-titled debut album was just released December 4th, 2020.