Maple Blues Archive

December 2023 – Crystal Shawanda

Crystal Shawanda is the first recipient of the new Indigenous Maple Blues Award

November 2023 – Laura Hubert

Toronto’s soulful chanteuse Laura Hubert will be joining Charlotte McAfee-Brunner, Sandra Bouza, Dawn Tyler Watson, Divine Brown, and Garnetta Cromwell at the 38th Women’s Blues Revue, Nov 17 at Massey Hall

November 2023 – Top Blues

This month’s recommended listening by Brant Zwicker, host/executive producer of At the Crossroads syndicated blues radio.

November 2023 – Loose Blues News

Congratulations are in order: TBS boarder Julian Taylor was voted “Performing Artist of the Year” at this year’s Folk Music Ontario conference in London. Angelique Francis was selected Recording Artist of the Year and Shakura S’Aida’s Hold on to Love was voted Album of the Year. Blues rules at the Folk Music conference and the TBS had a big presence with a showcase that featured 6 of the top Ontario blues acts and delectable grilled-cheese sandwiches.

Meanwhile, The Canadian Folk Music Awards have announced their nominees and the list includes a few blues-friendly folks, Julian Taylor, Suzie Vinnick, Steve Dawson and Whitehorse. The CFMA 2024 Awards Weekend takes place April 4th to the 7th, 2024, in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador.

October 2023 – Loose Blues News

Saturday Night Blues New Season: Holger Petersen kicked off another season of essential blues programming with lots of Canadian Blues. Always the latest and greatest from Holger with occasional surprises. On his opening show, he played Tony Bennett (and had a great story).  Tune in on cbcmusic Saturdays at 6:05 and anytime on the CBClisten app or CBC On Demand.

October 2023 – Top Blues

This month’s recommended listening by Brad Wheeler, music writer for the Globe and Mail Twitter: @bwheelerglobe

October 2023 – Charlotte McAfee-Brunner

“Trombone Charlotte” is also a fine vocalist. Charlotte McAfee- Brunner will be joining Sandra Bouza, Dawn Tyler Watson, Divine Brown, Garnetta Cromwell and Laura Hubert at the
38th Women’s Blues Revue, Nov 17
at Massey Hall

September 2023 – The Blackburn Brothers

The Toronto music scene has been enriched by members of the Blackburn family for over five decades, beginning with veteran R&B artist  and family patriarch Bobby Dean Blackburn. He has passed the torch onto a younger generation, and it is now burning bright in the form of The Blackburn Brothers, comprised of his sons Duane (lead vocals, organ, piano), Brooke (guitar, vocals), Cory (drums, harmony vocals), and Robert (guitar, harmony vocals).

September 2023 – Coco Montoya

Coco Montoya hits a home run in his 11th album, Writing on the Wall. This southpaw guitar master, who began as a drummer, is an alumnus of both Albert Collins’s and John Mayall’s bands. Montoya describes his philosophy as “Just play what you feel, be real about it, and enjoy yourself. That’s what Albert Collins taught me.”

September 2023 – Sandra Bouza

Sandra Bouza will be joining Dawn Tyler Watson, Divine Brown, Garnetta Cromwell, Laura Hubert, Charlotte McAfee-Brunner, and more at the 38th Women’s Blues Revue, November 17 at Massey Hall