About Maple Blues Awards

27th Annual Maple Blues Awards

Monday February 12th, 2024 7pm

The Phoenix Concert Theatre

410 Sherbourne St. Toronto

The Maple Blues Awards is Canada’s national blues awards program.

A night of Celebrating the best of Canada’s Blues

CHECK OUT OUR DIGITAL PROGRAM!

2024 MBA PROGRAM

THIS YEARS PROGRAM AND

AWARD VISUALS WERE DESIGNED BY

COURTNEY REVIE

NOMINEES AND WINNERS

Congratulations to everyone who won at this year’s Maple Blues Awards! Winner names are highlighted

as * WINNER in the nominee list below along with the sponsor.

Entertainer of the Year – TD Kitchener Blues Festival Angelique FrancisBlackburn BrothersBlue Moon MarqueeBywater Call*Matt Andersen

Electric Act of the Year – Music By The Bay Live Blackburn BrothersBywater Call*Colin JamesMatt Andersen Sue Foley Acoustic Act of the Year – ThinkTank Music Network Brandon IsaakGarrett MasonHarrison KennedyMichael Jerome Browne*Suzie Vinnick Male Vocalist of the Year – Playing with Fire Brandon IsaakBrooke BlackburnHarrison Kennedy*Matt AndersenSteve Marriner Female Vocalist of the Year – Playing with Fire Crystal ShawandaDawn Tyler WatsonMeghan Parnell*Miss Emily Shakura S’Aida New Artist or Group of the Year – Tim Hortons Southside Shuffle Blues and Jazz Festival Angelina Hunter TrioGarnetta Cromwell & DaGroovmasters*Little Magic Sam BandSandra BouzaThe Sugar Darlings Recording/Producer of the Year – Gypsy Soul Records *The Big Bottle of Joy ARTIST: Matt Andersen PRODUCER: Matt Andersen Midnight BluesARTIST: Crystal ShawandaPRODUCER: Dewayne Strobel One Step Closer ARTIST: Brandon IsaakPRODUCER: Brandon Isaak/Conrad HillisRemainARTIST: Bywater CallPRODUCER: Renan YildizdoganSoulFunkn’BluesARTIST: Blackburn BrothersPRODUCER: Howard AyeeB.B. King International Artist of the Year – The Lighthouse Blues FestivalChristone ”Kingfish” IngramRick Estrin & The Nightcats*Tedeschi Trucks BandThorbjorn Risager and The Black TornadoWarren Haynes (Gov’t Mule)Guitarist of the Year – Long & McQuade Musical Instruments Brooke Blackburn*Garrett MasonJack SempleSue Foley Tony D (Diteodoro) Harmonica Player of the Year – Lee Oskar Harmonicas*Guy BelangerJerome Godboo Joe MurphySteve MarrinerRoly PlattPiano/Keyboard Player of the Year David VestDebra PowerDuane Blackburn*Jesse O’ BrienKenny ‘Blues Boss’ WayneHorn Player of the Year – Montreal Blues Society*Alison YoungChris WhiteleyDan Jancar Kaven JalbertLoretta HaleDrummer of the Year – absoLIVE CanadaChris NordquistCory BlackburnGary Craig*Jim CassonMatt Sobb Bassist of the YearAngelique Francis*Gary KendallJasmine ColetteNathan BlackburnRussell JacksonSongwriter of the Year – SOCANAndre BissonBlackburn BrothersBrandon IsaakCrystal Shawanda*Matt Andersen Blues With A Feeling/Lifetime Achievement Award – Stony Plain Records Alec FraserBobby Dean BlackburnBrent ParkinCheryl LescomDalannah Gail BowenDanny BrooksMike McKennaMurray Porter*Sue FoleyTom Lavin

INAGURAL INDIGENOUS ARTIST/GROUP OF THE YEAR – CKRZ 100.3 FM

Crystal Shawanda

The Toronto Blues Society has been encouraging the emergence of Indigenous blues talent throughout the years since 1993, when they produced the first all-Indigenous blues

show, titled, ‘Rez Bluez’. Since then, the talent in this genre by Indigenous musicians has grown substantially. During the pandemic the TBS Board proposed the idea of having

a Maple Blues Award for an Indigenous Artist or Group. With the assistance of Elaine Bomberry as chair of the committee, six additional Indigenous people, including Diane

Kohoko, Amos Key Jr., Mell Kirkland, Ted Whitecalf, Lance Delisle, and Dennis Joseph, who are knowledgeable in the blues genre participated as volunteers. Together they

compiled an overall list and voted for the Indigenous Blues Artist/Group.

The recipient of the Indigenous Artist/Group of the Year is Nashville-based Crystal Shawanda, Anishinaabe from Wikwemikong Unceded Territory, Manitoulin Island. A JUNO Award winner and multiple Maple Blues Award winner, Shawanda is a force to reckoned with on stages across North America. “Having crossed over from the country music genre, she made her soulful blues voice known right away from coast-to-coast-to-coast”, says Bomberry. “Not only does she perform at large festivals and concert halls, she also performs extensively at Indigenous events and speaks to and inspires Indigenous Youth throughout her travels.”

On receiving word of the award, Shawanda exclaimed “I’m so thankful to everyone for this great honor, and excited and hopeful that this new category will serve as a

steppingstone for all the amazing Indigenous artists on the blues music scene today. Thank you to the Toronto Blues society for creating this space. Miigwetch!”

BLUES BOOSTER OF THE YEAR AWARD

Brant Zwicker

Kamloops BC’s Brant Zwicker, is the winner of the Blues Booster of the Year award, is a long-time advocate for blues music through his syndicated radio program “At The Crossroads, where he acts as the host, writer and producer of since February 2003. “At The Crossroads” is heard on 112 FM transmitters or streaming platforms in Canada, the U.S., the U.K. and Belgium. The Blues Booster of the Year award is a very special recognition given to individuals and festivals for their dedication to supporting blues in Canada. “To receive an award of the stature of Blues Booster of the Year from the Toronto Blues Society truly is a significant honour for me. I do what I do in the blues community purely out of love and appreciation for the music and for those who make and support it”, says Zwicker. “That has always been the goal and the reward, so to be recognized for something that comes naturally to me is, indeed, most humbling.”

Feature Performers

Matt Andersen

When Matt Andersen steps on stage, he brings a lifetime of music to every note he plays. His latest album, The Big Bottle of Joy, is all about hard-won celebration; a dozen songs infused with raw blues-rock, rollicking Americana, thoughtful folk, and ecstatic gospel. Andersen’s stage presence is informed by decades of cutting his teeth in dusty clubs, dim-lit bars, and grand theatres all over the world, delivering soulful performances that run the gamut from intimate to wall-shaking. In the studio, he’s always brought the same attention to detail and commitment to craft as he has to his live show, and the result – a multi-faceted and poignant body of work – has led him to amass over 28 million streams on Spotify and 26 million views on YouTube.

In addition to headlining major festivals, clubs and theatres throughout North America, Europe, and Australia, he has shared the stage and toured with Marcus King, Beth Hart, Marty Stuart, Greg Allman, Tedeschi Trucks Band, Randy Bachman, Serena Ryder, Tab Benoit, and more.

Andersen nabbed the 2013 and 2016 European Blues Awards for Best Solo/Acoustic Act, was the first ever Canadian to take home top honours in the solo category at the 2010 International Blues Challenge in Memphis, won the CIMA Road Gold award in 2015, and has won multiple Maple Blues Awards.

Duane Blackburn, Brooke Blackburn

& Cory Blackburn

(Blackburn Brothers)

Musically, the Blackburn name has been forever imprinted in our ears by Bobby Dean Blackburn, a veteran R&B artist who gained legendary status in the Toronto music scene, performing the city circuit for over 50 years. Beyond the music, other history runs deep too. The Blackburn name is tied to the history of the Underground Railroad, and there is a direct connection to the musical talents that we know and listen to today. A thread of Soul in almost every track the band records.

Blackburn Brothers received the Maple Blues Award for BEST NEW BAND in 2010, a JUNO nomination for BLUES ALBUM OF THE YEAR in 2016, Duane Blackburn received a Maple Blues Award nomination for KEYBOARD/PIANO PLAYER OF THE YEAR 2019, 2020, 2021, Cory Blackburn received a Maple Blues Award nomination for DRUMMER OF THE YEAR in 2020 & 2022, the band received a Maple Blues Award nomination for ELECTRIC ACT OF THE YEAR in 2022.

In 2023, Blackburn Brothers released their latest album SoulFunkn’BLUES with their Toronto-based record label Electro-Fi Records. The band became Canada South Blues Society Hall of Fame Inductees. Considered the highest honours on the Canadian Blues scene

Crystal Shawanda

Juno Award-winning powerhouse Crystal Shawanda is back with her latest studio album, Midnight Blues, on True North Records. Her latest fiery blues collection showcases her full-throttle raspy voice, unmatched in today’s musical landscape, and an authentic appreciation for the genre dating back to her youth.

Born and raised in Wikwemikong First Nation, on Manitoulin Island, in Northern Ontario, Crystal was introduced to the blues by her eldest brother and to old-time country by her parents. “I was also into other styles of music that led me to the blues,” she says, citing everything from Elvis Presley’s “Hound Dog,” written by Big Mama Thornton, to R&B-pop star Monica’s “Misty Blue,” by Dorothy Moore.

“I was one of those kids who read the liner notes,” Crystal says. “I wanted to know everything, who are the songwriters, the musicians, the producers, the engineers. I’m always wanting to know who are the originators, who are the mothers of invention, who inspired all of us? I’m a purist at heart, so I was always diving back to learn from the masters, like Etta James, as far as vocalists; Muddy Waters, as far as feeling; and Buddy Guy, as far as stylists who have a lot of swagger.”

“I love all styles of music, but there was just always something drawing me to the blues,” she explains. “I had a country hit on the radio, and I would show up at country music festivals and I’d do a BB King cover or Buddy Guy or Etta James. Within country music, as much as I loved it, I had to restrain my voice a lot. It’s very hard to hold back, and sometimes it was exhausting, whereas with the blues, I could just let it fly.”

Crystal followed up her JUNO Award-winning album Church House Blues with another irresistible release, Midnight Blues, and quickly garnered her an 8th JUNO nomination, following her win in the Blues Album of the Year. THAT was the first time in JUNO history and Indigenous artist won in that category. One for the books, as they say.

It’s also significant that she made history as the first Indigenous artist to win in the Blues Album of the Year category, inspiring others to pursue their dreams and share their talents on the stage one day like she has.

Angelina Hunter

(Angelina Hunter Trio)

Angelina has the power to shrink a venue or blow it up with her voice alone. Totally unique, when she begins to sing, she sounds like no one else. She can tell a sweet story with her voice or bewitch you with its intensity. It’s a powerful instrument on its own.

When she plugs in her Stratocaster, expect a wide range of style, emotion, and power. She can lull you in with sweet melodies and sear you with razor sharp blues attitude and screaming guitar lines.

The Angelina Hunter Trio has cultivated their sound around the personality and stylings of Angelina Hunter on vocals and guitar. A real melting pot of influences and many years of perfecting musical and stage craft have seen the “AHT” (as dubbed by their fans) win over audiences with their contemporary take on the blues throughout Canada.

Brandon Isaak

Brandon Isaak is one of Canada’s premier blues guitar players on the scene today. Isaak puts the emphasis on soul and playing only the notes needed to move the audience and make a connection. He’s a no nonsense kinda of blues musician who holds true the deep traditions of the playing the blues the way it was done in the 40’s and 50’s. Crowds always leave Brandon’s shows with a smile on thier face and a need to come back for more. After 35 years in the business, this bluesman is always asked back as he’s a total pro off and on the stage. If you like top notch blues, hard hitting lyrics and great night of entertainment, Brandon Isaak is your man.

Quisha Wint

Host and Performance

Quisha Wint is the co-founder and president of QW Productions whose mission is to provide outstanding and professional entertainment in a classy and nostalgic atmosphere, while providing a platform for artists and musicians to showcase their awesome gift in music. She aims to educate both the public and upcoming artists on the importance of keeping the music from the past alive, music that touches our hearts.

Quisha was born to sing and entertain. She grew up in a Jamaican/Canadian home listening to Reggae, Motown, Gospel, R&B, then entered the jazz program at Humber College in the mid ’90s. From there she embarked upon her dream of performing with well-known musicians, which took her to exciting overseas hotel engagements. Since then, Quisha has sung in many parts of Asia, Europe, North America, and Caribbean.

With a bright personality and strong emotive vocal abilities, Quisha is one of Toronto’s most sought-after session vocalists. She also performs regularly at corporate gigs. Currently living in the GTA, Quisha is well established in the tight-knit music industry. She is a phenomenal and expressive vocalist who also inspires others to live out their dreams.

Not only is she an entrepreneur, producer, director, songwriter, arranger, worship director and a mother, Quisha just began her journey into speaking at corporate events to empower and enrich corporation employees.

Quisha released her 1st EP entitled My Life in 2021 with rave reviews. Her 1st single Black Shoes, off her grassroots project recently hit #1 on the Indie Music Artists charts.

Quisha is an inspiration to many, and her hope is to live out her life knowing that many lives have been transformed positively through her works.

Return of The After Glow Jam

in The Parlour room in The Phoenix

Hosted by The Little Magic Sam Band

Right after the awards

Food Provided by Blazing Kitchen

This year we will have food available during and after the show.

3 tacos for $12 plus hstOr singles for $5 each Famous cornflake fried fish with chipotle mayo Jerk chicken with mango marmaladeSmoked brisket in adoboPulled pork with slawCrispy fried cauliflower …veganPulled yam and jackfruit…vegan

About the Maple Blues Awards

The Maple Blues Awards is Canada’s national blues awards program. Its goal is to promote blues music across Canada, and to recognize outstanding achievement in the field. Winners in all categories (excluding the instrumental categories) are decided by blues fans across Canada. Voting occurs online each November.

THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS

The Maple Blues Awards is Canada’s national blues awards program. Its goal is to promote blues music across Canada, and to recognize outstanding achievement in the field. Winners in all categories (excluding the instrumental categories*) are decided by blues fans across Canada. Voting occurs online each November.

Nominating Panel & Steering Committee. The nominees are selected by a distinguished panel of some 40+ blues experts who form the MBA Nominating Panel. Co-chaired by the steering committee consisting of Cindy McLeod, Brent Morrison, Yanick Theriault, and Brant Zwicker, the panel includes radio hosts, journalists, and festival organizers regionally distributed across Canada. Members of the Nominating Panel are not eligible for any of the awards.

The Maple Blues Award winners will be announced on February 12, 2023 at the LIVE Maple Blues Award Show in Toronto.

*Instrumental Categories. Winners in the guitar, harmonica, piano/keyboards, horn, drum, and bass categories are not open for public vote. Instrumental or “craft” categories are determined by a panel of experts drawn from the nominating panel.

The Maple Blues Awards program is proudly organized by the Toronto Blues Society.

MAPLE BLUES AWARDS CHANGES

Toronto Blues Society has received valuable input from the members of the Canadian blues community regarding the Maple Blues Awards procedures and voting process – and have developed policies and protocol to ensure the Maple Blues Award system is responsive and evolving. Please note the following rules:

Songwriter Of The Year Category: Changes to this category have been made to ensure that the nominated artist(s) has contributed 50% or more towards the song writing on the recent album to be eligible in this category.
Social Media Advertising Banned: While getting nominated for a Maple Blues Award is a wonderful achievement and excitement, not all of the nominees are regular users of social media or some may not have the budgets to execute a successful advertising campaign to solicit votes. In the pursuit of fairness for all of the nominees and transparency,
PAID social media advertising by the MBA nominees is BANNED during the public voting period. Anyone who breaches this rule will be disqualified!
Regular “thank-you” posts by the nominees as well as reminders to fans for the voting deadline on social media are all still good and will also help us promote the Maple Blues Awards more! Our aim is to prevent manipulation on public voting through sponsored posts (specifically asking for votes) which may cause an inequity as we realize not all the artists may have the same budget.

MAPLE BLUES AWARDS APPLICATION PROCESS

There is no application process for the Maple Blues Awards. Nominations are drawn from the expertise of the MBA Nominating Panel. Members of the nominating panel are required to be familiar with Canadian blues artist activity and CD releases. Artists are encouraged to service new releases to all blues radio DJs, journalists and industry professionals across Canada to increase their national profile. The list of the Panel members can be found on our website (bottom of this page) with a link to their organizations.

Recording/Producer Of The Year. Nominated recordings in this category must be released during the eligibility period: September 1, 2022 to September 30, 2023. Qualifying recordings must contain at least six tracks or 20 minutes of music.

New Artist Or Group Of The Year. Group or individual, new to the national blues scene, who has made considerable advances artistically and/or commercially over the previous year. The nominee should be performing under its/his/her name on a regular basis and must not have been nominated in any Maple Blues Awards category previously. The award recognizes the group or individual.

MAPLES BLUES AWARDS NOMINATING PANEL

The Nominating Panel consists of industry professionals from across Canada who volunteer their time to participate.

Click here to download the communication sheet for the Panel.

FIRST NAME	LAST NAME	ORGANIZATION	EMAIL	MAILING ADDRESS	CITY	PROVINCE
Al	Forrie	Hornby Island Blues Society	[email protected];	3590 Harwood Road, Hornby Isand Bc V0R1Z0	Hornby Island, BC	1 – British Columbia
Brant	Zwicker*	At the Crossroads, syndicated	[email protected]; [email protected]	Attn: Brant Zwicker, PO Box 3002, Kamloops, BC V2C 6B7	Kamloops, BC	1 – British Columbia
Brent	Morrison*	Rockin’ Blues, CJSF	[email protected];	#205-130 11th St. East, North Vancouver, BC, V7L 4R3	Vancouver, BC	1 – British Columbia
Grant	Payne	CHLY	[email protected];	537 Selinger Place Ladysmith BC V9G 2C5	Nanaimo, BC	1 – British Columbia
Paul	Norton	One O’Clock Jump, CFRO \| Code Blue, CiTR	[email protected];	314 – 1422 E 3rd Avenue, Vancouver BC V5N 5R5	Vancouver, BC	1 – British Columbia
Rod	Dranfield	White Rock Blues Society	[email protected];	15798 38A Ave. Surrey BC V3Z 0K9	Surrey, BC	1 – British Columbia
Ron	Simmonds	CFRO	[email protected];	3218 Yukon St, Vancouver, BC. V5Y 3R9	Vancouver, BC	1 – British Columbia
Vince	Almond	CFBX	[email protected];	110 Robson Drive,Kamloops, B.C. V2E 1V9	Kamloops, BC	1 – British Columbia
Cam	Hayden	CKUA	[email protected];	3204-44C Ave NW Edmonton AB T6T 1G5	Edmonton, AB	2 – Alberta
Chris	Martin	CBC Saturday Night Blues	[email protected];	c/o CBC Box 555 Edmonton AB T5J 2P4	Edmonton, AB	2 – Alberta
Cindy	McLeod*	Calgary Blues Music Association	[email protected];	#188 A6433 Bowness Road NW Calgary, AB T3B 0E6	Calgary, AB	2 – Alberta
Holger	Petersen	CBC Saturday Night Blues, CKUA	[email protected];	9963-83 St. Edmonton, AB, T6A 3N3	Edmonton, AB	2 – Alberta
Al	Wood	Saskatoon Blues Society	[email protected];	407 – 150 Pawlychenko lane, Saskatoon, SK S7V 0B4	Saskatoon, SK	3 – Saskatchewan
Andrew	Galloway	Electro-Fi Records	[email protected];	185 Legion Rd N, Suite 2217, Toronto ON M8Y 0A1	Toronto, ON	5 – Ontario
Bruce	Hall	Grand River Blues Society	[email protected];	54-19 Garden Ave Brantford Ont N3S0A1	Kitchener, ON	5 – Ontario
Claude	Cloutier	Kitchener Blues Festival	[email protected];	836 Butternut Avenue Waterloo, Ontario, N2V 2M4	Kitchener, ON	5 – Ontario
Deborah	Cartmer	CFBU		CFBU 103.7 FM, c/o 1812 Sir Isaac Brock Way, St. Catharines, Ontario, L2S 3A1	St. Catharines, ON	5 – Ontario
Eric	Thom	Freelance Music Writer	[email protected];	18 Arlene Crescent, Scarborough, ON M1P 3L9	Toronto, ON	5 – Ontario
Jan	MacDonald	Downtown Kingston Limestone City Blues Festival	[email protected];	Downtown Kingston! BIA, 200-353 King Street East, Kingston, ON K7L 3B5	Kingston, ON	5 – Ontario
John	Emms	Freelance Music Writer	[email protected];	John Emms 167 Columbus Ave. Timmins Ontario P4N 3H7	Timmins, ON	5 – Ontario
Julie	Hill	Calling All Blues, CIUT FM	[email protected];	1053 Menominee Lake Road, Lake of Bays, Ontario P1H 2J3	Toronto, ON	5 – Ontario
Ken	Wallis	Blues & Roots Radio, INDI 101.5	[email protected]	[email protected]	Hamilton, ON	5 – Ontario
Liz (Elizabeth)	Sykes	Ottawa Blues Society	[email protected];	481 Avalon Place, Ottawa ON K1G 4C8	Ottawa ON	5 – Ontario
Lori	Murray	Music By The Bay Live	[email protected];	4580 Concession 6, Uxbridge ON L9P 0K7	Uxbridge, ON	5 – Ontario
Nick	Harding	Photographer	[email protected];	658 Oxbow Park Drive, Wasaga Beach, Ont. L9Z 2V2	Wasaga Beach, ON	5 – Ontario
Paul	Panchezak	Breakfast of Champions, CFMU McMaster Radio	[email protected];	373 Cochrane Rd, Hamilton, Ont. L8K 6C2	Hamiton, ON	5 – Ontario
Rick	Clarke	Bruce County Blues Society/Lighthouse Blues Festival	[email protected];	9 Cathcart St. Kincardine ON N2Z 0B3	Kincardine, ON	5 – Ontario
Daisy	Hanna	Montreal Blues Society	[email protected];	37 Saturn rd, Dollard des Ormeaux, Quebec H9B2P8	Montreal, QC	6 – Quebec
Dave	Brennan	Ottawa Blues Society	[email protected]	P.O. Box 35043 – RPO Westgate, Ottawa, ON K1Z 1A2	Gatineau, QC	6 – Quebec
David	McCabe	Montreal Blues Society	[email protected]	50 Rang Double, Saint-Urbain-Premier QC J0S 1Y0	St-Urbain Premier, QC	6 – Quebec
David	Bush	Royal Blues with Dr. Dave, K1037	[email protected];	P.O. box 346. Kahnawake, Quebec, J0L 1B0	Kahnawake, QC	6 – Quebec
Debra	Thornington	Ottawa Blues Society	[email protected];	47 rue St Medard, Gatineau, QC J9H 1Z4	Gatineau, QC	6 – Quebec
John	Detcheverry	Cha Cha Cha In Blue, CKUT	[email protected]; [email protected];	John Detcheverry, Cha Cha Cha In Blue, 6670 24th Avenue, Montreal QC H1T 3M7	Montreal, QC	6 – Quebec
Louis	Brunet	FLOFM 96,5 (formely CKMN-FM 96,5)	[email protected];	516, rue principale ouest, Saint-Anaclet (Quebec) G0K 1H0	Rimouski, QC	6 – Quebec
Yannick	Lambert	Donnacona Blues Festival	[email protected];	216 Godin, Donnacona, Qc G3M 1V8	Donnacona, QC	6 – Quebec
Yanick	Theriault*	CODIAC FM 93.5	[email protected];	153 Jordan Crescent, Moncton, NB, E1C 0S5	New Brunswick	7 – New Brunswick
Gene	Bellows	Voice of Bonne Bay	[email protected];	PO Box 48, Norris Point, NL, A0K 3V0	Norris Point, NL	8 – Newfoundland
Bruce	Morel	Music Marketing International Inc.	[email protected];	178 Silistria Drive, Dartmouth, NS B2W 6B1	Dartmouth, NS	9 – Nova Scotia
Cathy	Prothro	East Coast Blues Society	[email protected];	351 Pleasant St, Dartmouth, NS B2Y3S4	Dartmouth, NS	9 – Nova Scotia

*The panel is led by a steering committee consisting of Cindy McLeod, Brent Morrison, Brant Zwicker and Yanick Theriault.