Jazz Improv
Jessica Johnson started singing and appearing on stage early in her life. If you go to her website, you'll see an impressive, and long list of professional sports events--baseball, football, hockey games and so forth--ad which this 20 year old has already sung the National anthem... read the entire article »

Artsopolis, Silicon Valley Entertainment News
Jessica's smooth deep voice captures audiences wherever she performs, with her own unique styling and delivery. For a vocalist of only nineteen her resume reads already as a "season veteran."

Bruce VonStiers, BVS Reviews
A whole slew of young and talented vocalists are on the horizon. I recently reviewed a couple of them. Now I get the pleasure of telling you about yet another tremendously talented young vocalist. Her name is Jessica Johnson and she is but nineteen years old. Jessica has just recorded her debut album titled Til It Happens To You. The album is a marvelous introduction to a young woman who is bound to be a household name within a very short time. The press release for the album calls Jessica an “a talent, with depth, range, sincerity and conviction.” She has all of that and more. I truly believe that Jessica Johnson's vocals will soon be compared to Whitney Houston and that she will have a long lasting career.

Jessica Hord, Music-Reviewer
Strong yet beautiful. No it’s not a new perfume… it’s Jessica Johnson’s voice. Very strong but beautiful, jazzy, and soulful. Hell, if there were a Jessica Johnson perfume, I’d buy it! According to her website, Johnson, hailing from the San Francisco area, fell in love with performing at the age of 5 after watching the film version of “Annie” but her voice today could hard knock little Annie into tomorrow. At only nineteen, Jessica Johnson has already won several awards and was a contestant on Apollo Amateur Night on Tour and it’s clear to see why after listening to her debut album.

D. Oscar Groomes, O's Place
Jessica is a fresh voice on the jazz scene. She sings both R&B ballads and jazz standards like "Summertime", "Cry Me A River" and "I've Got It Bad". We hear her palpitations in the verses as she puts her character into each tune as she soars through the notes. Jessica scats on "Blue Skies", gives praise on "You And I" and then puts some soul into "I Believe In You And Me". It's been a while since we've heard a young singer with the range and depth of emotion that Johnson has. She's comfortable singing a wide variety of music and will appeal to a broad audience.

Rob Lester, Sound Advice
Jessica has a powerful voice that shows some influence of more modern pop divas, but she fits herself into the jazzy standard style pretty well, too. Strong-voiced, she can sing with unbridled passions of joy (the Irving Berlin classic that's being recorded a lot the last few years, "Blue Skies") or a bit of vitriol (a torchy "Cry Me a River"). Real sincerity comes through in a determined but well-balanced "I Believe in You and Me," (Sandy Linzer/ David Wolfert), popularized by The Four Tops and later by Whitney Houston. It's a solidly written melody and lyric that has a well-positioned, dramatically effective high note as an asset, and Jessica has the goods. Till It Happens to You is more than just a good start. It's act one of what could be a satisfying series of albums over the years. She's got the notes, and she's worthy of note.

Chris Spector, Midwest Record Recap
You’re 19, you’ve been working since you were 5; who needs “American Idol” and crotch shots on Perez Hilton? Johnson simply takes you by surprise. First and foremost, knowing the difference between emoting and histrionics, Johnson is already well on her way. Acquitting herself well on the chestnuts, this jazzy young lady has got something going on you’ll be glad to get in on.

Karl Stober, Jazzreview
Jessica Johnson debuts her new self release “Til it Happens To You” capturing the appetites of those searching for new stimulation. Young only in years this fine tuned vocalist has power in her voice and drive in her heart! Johnson’s vocals are diverse, crisp, and fully injected with strategically-placed moods. Johnson understands and feels the poignant course of a piece. As an intelligent performer, she seems to have the ability to take a new direction with a piece without going to far off the edge… Leon Russell’s “Song for You” is a warm yet gripping interpretation with Johnson allowing herself to grow within the love ballad. A very solid effort among many on this spin! “Til it Happens To You” designed to show the numerous abilities of Johnson -- does what it set out too. We hear different ranges and vocal heights among the selections.

David Warren, Cashbox Magazine
Jessica Johnson is only 19 years of age, but has a voice that is smooth, soulful, and seasoned well beyond where most 19-year-old vocalists find themselves. Johnson has an incredible voice, and there is really no way to argue this. Her silky voice combined with an impeccable range makes her a joy to listen to. Her debut album, “Till it Happens to You” is produced well and showcases her unique talent as a vocalist. Johnson’s rendition of “Summertime” was very tasteful. She did a great job of recreating what so many incredible musicians have done while still adding her own flair. Another plus on this album is when she scats. It’s very apparent she’s done her homework in the land of “oos”, “ahhhs”, and “boop de boops.” Overall Jessica Johnson has an amazing voice, and is a rare talent in that regard.

Mite, The Chicken Fish Speaks
Damn, does Jessica Johnson have a great voice or what? This female jazz singer is nothing short of awesome. Her vocals are strong, yet subtle. She doesn't overdue it like so many other female vocalist tend to do. This is a CD that you need to get just to hear er jazzed up versions of "Blue Skies" and "Cry Me a River." While listening to this release I thought it would be great to hear her do a cover of "What's going On" as well. Jessica is one of those artists who it's hard to believe isn't on a major record label. Hopefully this release will change all of that. Hopefully, she'll also venture outside of the jazz world so that a wider audience will get to know her and hear her awesome voice.

Lauren B., Celebrity Cafe
Jessica Johnson’s powerful voice is the driving force of the album "Till it Happens to You." The instruments create an interesting mix of jazz and soft pop, but they pale in comparison to the performance by the album’s main star. Johnson’s smooth voice could make an “American Idol” contestant look talentless. Johnson demonstrates a wide vocal range and shows off her ability while keeping the notes from sounding strained or forced.

John Book, Music for America
Jessica Johnson may only be 19, but if you were to hear her on her debut CD, Till It Happens To You (self-released), you would swear she has been around for at least 20 years. There is a sense of maturity in her voice that does not come from casually listening to the radio, a kind of richness that doesn't seem to pop up a lot these days. When it does, it's passed off as non-essential. The songs on her CD range from jazz classics to well known pop standards, so one could easily see her making her way towards American Idol greatness, if she chooses to go down that route. I hope she doesn't, for she has the kind of voice that deserves much better recognition than that. In the title track, she immediately seduces the lyrics with the kind of vocal performance that sounds as if she is feeling the blues with the listener. It reminds me of the many soul vocalists of yesteryear such as Lisa Fischer, Natalie Cole, and more recent voices like Jill Scott and Jaguar Wright, since Johnson always manages to take her voice as close to the top as possible, but managing to maintain and keeping it under the lid.

J Sin, Smother Magazine
Vocally driven jazz R&B that lends an ear to Motown and classic jazz club music. Jessica Johnson’s debut “Till It Happens to You” features smartly written songs delivered with pop hooks and extremely polished vocals.

Doug Boynton, Girl Singers.org
Quick. What's the first thing you think of when I tell you that this young woman is only 19? First thing I thought of was a talent competition in a beauty pageant. Some young woman singing, "Summertime" with a lot of feeling, but not much else. Boy, oh boy. Was I surprised! After the first couple of tracks, I went back to make sure I read her Jessica Johnson's age correctly. The San Jose State freshman, with the help of producer Tom Taomasello, has assembled a "love story" disc - describing the arc of a romance. As it turns out, "Summertime" is one of my favorites from the disc, along with "Blue Skies," and the classic "Cry Me A River." Unplug the smoke detector before you put this one on. Ms. Johnson's voice is mature beyond its years - powerful, hard to ignore. This is not background music. This young woman has plenty of talent, and I think she'll be around for a second disc, and a third.

Justin Langston, Sidewalks TV
Jessica is definitely no cookie cutter singer; her voice is far superior to even some of the commercial singers who are already established and, at just 19, she is a seasoned vet on the music scene, her bright, vibrant voice reaches all generations.