Stephen Johnston began his musical education at the age of six. After studying piano for several years he switched to trumpet, then the euphonium in junior high, and ultimately turned to the guitar for inspiration. Following graduation from The Glebe Collegiate Institute in Ottawa, Ontario, he moved to Montreal and entered Concordia University where he began studies with Dave Turner, Charles Ellison, Andrew Homzy, Simon Stone, Gary Schwartz, Bill Coon, Wray Downes and Mike Berard. During this time, the award winning and successful vocal group PANACHE was formed featuring Stephen, his brother Paul on acoustic bass and Adam Broughton on vocals. The group toured festivals, were featured on television and radio, produced videos and graced countless high society functions.

In 2002 Stephen moved to London, UK and performed there and in Frankfurt, Germany before returning to Montreal to resume studies at the Masters level through McGill University’s Masters program in Jazz Performance. During this time he studied with Jan Jarczyk, Joe Sullivan, Gordon Foote and Rémi Bolduc.

Points On A Curve, his first solo release (recorded by André White in 1988), featured Stephen as a composer and band leader with Tilden Webb on piano, Dave Laing on drums and Fraser Hollins on bass. His most recent compilation, SOJO, was recorded following his completion of his Masters. The CD is a quintet rendition of seven compositions featuring Erik Hove( alto sax), John Fabroni (drums), Adrian Vedaddy (acoustic bass) and Paul Shrofel (piano & rhodes). Jeff Simon’s (vocals) and Vanessa Rodrigues(organ) also appear on the track “Oren’s Peace”.

Stephen’s greatest influences are diversely rooted in jazz, funk, R&B, soul music and rock n’ roll.

For more historical information on Stephen Johnston please check out his interview in Jazz Guitar Life Magazine.