For our Canadian Blues Brothers & Sisters, this is the equivalent of our own American Blues Music Awards (BMAs). So it’s quite the honor. To receive one or even to just be a Maple Blues Award nominee is a big deal. It puts you into a very select club of musicians.
Here are the award winners from this year.
Entertainer of the Year
Songwriter of the Year
Acoustic Act of the Year
Recording of the Year
Blue Moon Marquee
The BIG winner of the evening was Blue Moon Marquee. This duo took home 4 – count ’em – 4 awards. Now BMM didn’t just arrive on the scene yesterday. They’ve been clocking a lot of road time to hone their craft for a number of years. It’s all paying off. Check out this little taste from their hit album, ‘Scream, Holler & Howl.’[WEBSITE]
Male Vocalist of the Year
Matt Andersen
Matt Andersen has one of those voices that you can’t turn away from. He only needs a guitar in the background (and sometimes not even that) in order to soar. That voice is as powerful as a heavyweight’s punch. This was an easy call for the Toronto Blues Society. [WEBSITE]
Female Vocalist of the Year
Suzie Vinnick
They may have to rename this award after Suzie Vinnick because this is the 7th time she’s won it! Well-versed in any genre, Suzie always takes risks too. Here’s an example of her range and daring — just her and her bass — singing about that Pie her baby makes. [WEBSITE]
Electric Act Of The Year
Colin James
There’s simply too much to say about Colin James to fit here. He’s been winning these awards since the 90’s and he doesn’t look or sound like he’s gonna be slowing down any time soon. His last album, ‘Open Road,’ was terrific. Here’s a slice. [WEBSITE]
New Artist of the Year
Bassist of the Year
Angelique Francis
The other multiple award winner this year was Angelique Francis. I haven’t had the pleasure of seeing her in concert but boy, the homepage video on her website is enough to make me want to stand in line. This is a powerful new talent who’s gonna do great things. [WEBSITE]
B.B. King International Artist of the Year
Mavis Staples
Mavis Staples belongs to more music “Halls of Fame” than some artists have records. She’s carried her music and her civil rights work to every corner of North America and the world. And, while she’s not a Canadian (she was Chicago born) our sisters and brothers up North took this moment to recognize greatness. [WEBSITE]
Blues with a Feeling Award (Lifetime Achievement Award)
Harrison Kennedy
Back in the 70’s Harrison Kennedy was fronting the “Chairman of the Board”. We flash forward to today, and damn if he still isn’t cranking out some great music. This is one award very well earned. (Nobody should sound this good at 80.) [WEBSITE]
Guitarist of the Year
Sue Foley
This lady is no stranger to Maple Blues Awards; she has something like 17 now. So it’s no surprise that Sue Foley nabbed another one — this time for Guitarist of the Year. She’s been working that pink paisley Telecaster of her’s for years and this year was no exception. Play a little bit of “Pinky’s Blues” to see what I mean. [WEBSITE]
Harmonica Player of the Year
Steve Marriner
Multi-instrumentalist actually, but Steve Marriner can sure blow that harp! To get the full measure of Steve you should check out his last album, ‘Hope Dies Last.’ But for a sample of his harmonica work, listen to his guest work on Colin James’ cover of the Otis Rush tune, “It Takes Time.” [WEBSITE]
Piano/Keyboard Player of the Year
Jesse O’Brien
Jesse O’Brien is one of those in-demand musicians on everybody’s call list. He’s performed with, written for, or arranged for artists from Sass Jordan to The Cowboy Junkies. Here’s a great example of Jesse filling in all the right spaces on a Harrison Kennedy album track, “Jimmy Lee.” Piano doesn’t get any more buttery smooth than this. [WEBSITE]
Horn Player of the Year
Alison Young
Another talented “sideman” is this Maple Blues Award Winner, Alison Young. She can play soprano, alto, tenor, or baritone sax and all you have to do is name a genre and she’s got you covered. Check out the tenor solo she traded with Colleen Allen’s baritone on Shakura S’Aida’s “Bad Girl.” [WEBSITE]
Drummer of the Year
Jim Casson
The man with the beat this year is Jim Casson. Jim’s been supplying the backbone for a lot of projects since the 1990’s – most notably the Downchild Blues Band. The man has impeccable timing and you can hear a great example of that on this cut from Downchild’s, ‘Lucky 13.’ [WEBSITE]
Blues Booster Of The Year
Patrick Monaghan
Patrick Monaghan is the long-time Blues DJ for The Buckslide Blues Cruise radio show on 100.9 CanoeFM. It’s a volunteer-based, community radio station in Haliburton, Ontario but Pat has grown his audience to reach internationally. He’s been “boosting” the Blues for over 40 years. [WEBSITE]
There’s a lot of great music contained in these awards. Even more when you consider all the other nominees. The Blues is alive and well.
Thanks for reading!
Jon Beres
I’m one part Blues Fan and one part Digital Native (with a dash of Curmudgeon.) I’m also the publisher of AlltheWayBlue.com. If you love the Blues, I have a feeling we’ll get along just fine - cheers!
Download this FREE Blues Resource Guide and keep up with everything that's going on in the world of Blues Music.