Bonnie Johnson / Host

If you asked Worcester native Bonnie Johnson how she found jazz, she would tell you that jazz found her. As an undergraduate studying liberal studies at Howard University in Washington, D.C., Bonnie became a fan of the Quiet Storm, a jazz show on Howard’s radio station. After returning home and looking for a radio station to fill the gap, Johnson discovered WICN. Some years later, after becoming a member of WICN, she accepted an invitation to become a volunteer; the rest is history. 

Johnson appreciates the diversity and the evolution of music. As a self-taught electric bassist, she’s spent many years playing various music with her daughter and close friends in a family band. Growing up, she sang in the St. Cecilia Girl Choir at All Saints Worcester. She is keenly aware of the importance of legacy building for future generations, so she spent time as director and co-founder of the women’s alumni group and the association’s scholarship fund.

Johnson also holds a master’s in Communications and Information Management from Bay Path University. One of Johnson’s goals as host is to reach youth in creative ways through community engagement. She believes the future of jazz is in our children, because, “Music and the arts is one area that gives young people an outlet and release of creative energy. While there are many children exposed to music through lessons and attending live performances, there are too many more that are not.” 

Bonnie is honored to bring her voice to the music and hopes to inspire people of all ages as she hosts Colors of Jazz and co-hosts Culture Beat 2.0 with Whitney Marshall.

Email: bonnie@wicn.org