Shenel Johns is "History in the making" as expressed in the -The Boston Globe’s review of the Newport Jazz Festival. A dynamic Jazz musician that commands the stage with an intrepid and lively spirit which heralds incredible range and talent, her performance is the amalgamation of immersion in reggae and gospel from a young age.

Hailing from the capitol city of Hartford, CT, Johns’ honed her intrinsic aptitude and passion for music at the Hartt School (University of Hartford). It is here she received invaluable mentorship from Jackie McLean legacies: Rene McLean, Jimmy Greene, and Steve Davis.

Recognizing the positive influence music has gifted her, this songstress since then endeavored to mentor aspiring young artists across the world through classrooms such as Seiko Jazz camp in Tokyo, Japan. Shenel’s ardency to share music across global stages regardless of language barriers or culture was demonstrated in residencies at Jazz Lincoln Center’s Club in Shanghai, China; Doha, Qatar; Xalapa, Mexico and on countless tours through Europe where she reached the #1 spot on BBC’s Classical Radio. She returned to Latvia after winning the Riga Jazz Stage Vocal Competition to produce a project honoring George Gershwin with the accompaniment of a 17-piece orchestra, while collaborating and touring year round with the musical pioneers Wynton Marsalis, Damien Sneed, Bryan Carter, Etienne Charles, Dominick Farinacci and Endea Owens to fuse traditional Gospel, Jazz and diasporic idioms.

Shenel appears on Rustin in Renaissance, a showcase of a musical workshop composed by Tony and Grammy award winning director Bryan Carter. It journeys through the life of a principal figure behind the Civil Rights leader Bayard Rustin.

Shenel Johns continuously strives to push her limits and range in formidable and renowned venues and festivals. Most recently Johns’ debuted with the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, under the direction of Wynton Marsalis as the featured vocalist on the world premiere of Afro, a commissioned composed by Marsalis which upon completion was followed by a tour with the ensemble throughout Africa. She is set to release her debut album in the Summer of 2026.