Toronto Blues Society | » Western Blues Take the Lead – Results of the Fifth Annual Maple Blues Awards

Western Blues Take the Lead – Results of the Fifth Annual Maple Blues Awards

Published January 15, 2007 in Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE / PLEASE UPDATE LISTINGS

Western Canada has much to sing about when it comes to the blues. Out of the sixteen Canadian blues music awards presented at this year’s tenth annual Maple Blues Awards, Western Canadian artists led with eight awards, followed by six for Ontario artists and two for those from the East Coast. The following are the winners of the 2006 Maple Blues Awards, which were presented in a gala celebration at Toronto’s Mod Club on January 15th, 2007.

EIGHT AWARDS FOR WESTERN CANADA

The big winner at this year’s ceremony was Saskatchewan-born Suzie Vinnick, who received three Maple Blues Awards. She won Female Vocalist of the Year and Bass Player of the Year, while Songwriter of the Year went to both Vinnick and Rick Fines for their 2006 release “Nothing Halfway”.

Vancouver actor and musician Jim Byrnes, host of the gala event, received two awards: Male Vocalist of the Year and Recording of the Year, for his album “House of Refuge”, released on Black Hen Records and produced by Vancouver’s Steve Dawson.

Electric Act of the Year went to seasoned bluesman Colin James, who has sold over 8 million albums worldwide, won 6 Juno awards and has released 10 albums in nearly 20 years of making music.

New Artist of the Year went to ingenue Ndidi Onukwulu, who had a busy summer in 2006, performing the Canadian festival circuit. Originally from the British Columbia, Ndidi is now living in Toronto.

Vancouver’s piano blues and boogie-woogie player, Kenny ‘Blues Boss’ Wayne, won Piano/Keyboard Player of the Year. 2006 was a great year for Kenny who also won a Juno for best blues album of the year.


WINNING HIGHLIGHTS

Musical Renaissance man Colin Linden was honoured with the Blues with a Feeling Award for Lifetime Achievement. With numerous Maple Blues Awards and Juno awards already behind him, Colin continues to build an exciting career as a guitarist, vocalist and composer. He is in major demand by artists wanting him to produce, write for, and/or play on their records (he has played on 300 and produced 60 albums), yet somehow finds time to both pursue a prolific solo career and play a key role in Canadian roots-rock “supergroup”, Blackie and the Rodeo Kings.

Other Ontario award winners included the Downchild Blues Band, who were presented with Entertainer of the Year. The enduring veterans were last year’s big winners, celebrating 37 years in the biz.

Guitarist of the Year went to Ottawa’s Sue Foley, who strengthens her position as the artist having won the record amount of awards over the 10 year history of this event.

Harmonica Player of the Year went to Carlos del Junco, who, in the midst of great competition, continues to dominate in this category.

Chris Whiteley, the singer, composer, bandleader, multi-instrumentalist and session musician who specializes in blues, jazz and roots music, won Horn Player of the Year. In 2006, Chris and Diana Braithwaite released “Morning Sun”, inspired by such greats as Memphis Minnie, Tampa Red, Lonnie Johnson, Bessie Smith, Big Bill Broonzy, and the famous “Bluebird” record sound.

Nova Scotia native Geoff Arsenault (Ray Bonneville, Morgan Davis, Carlos Del Junco) took home Drummer of the Year.

The New Brunswick-based trio Hot Toddy teamed up with duo Isaac & Blewett to win Acoustic Act of the Year for their collaborative work, which began with their 2005 recording, “Live at the Black Box”.


INTERNATIONAL ARTIST OF THE YEAR

American performer, producer, and gold recording artist Keb’ Mo’ won International Artist of the Year. Keb’ Mo’ of the Epic Records/Sony Music roster is also nominated for a Grammy in the category of Contemporary Blues Album, 2007.


BLUES BOOSTER OF THE YEAR

The Blues Booster of the Year award, a special Maple Blues Award honouring outstanding contribution to the Canadian blues industry, was awarded to filmaker Mako Funasaka. Funasaka received the award in recognition of his documentation of the blues in Canada and beyond, included in his television series Talkin’ Blues, which is broadcast across Canada and the U.S.


BUILDING A HISTORY – THE MAPLE BLUES AWARDS

The Maple Blues Awards is Canada’s national blues awards program, organized by the Toronto Blues Society with the support and participation of blues societies across Canada. Its goal is to promote blues music nationally, and to recognize outstanding achievement in the field. The nominees are selected by a national panel of distinguished blues DJs and journalists, and the winners are selected by on-line voting by blues fans across Canada.

The awards gala in Toronto features numerous musical performances and is the conclusion of the three-day national Blues Summit, a gathering of blues industry professionals from across the country. The event provides an opportunity for the blues community to network and to attend professional development seminars, working meetings, and showcase concerts.

MAPLE BLUES AWARDS 2006/2007

Entertainer of the Year
Downchild Blues Band

Electric Act of the Year
Colin James

Acoustic Act of the Year
Hot Toddy/Isaac & Blewitt

Male Vocalist of the Year
Jim Byrnes

Female Vocalist of the Year
Suzie Vinnick

New Artist/Group of the Year
Ndidi Onukwulu

Recording of the Year
Artist: Jim Byrnes
Producer: Steve Dawson

B.B. King International Artist of the Year
Keb’ Mo’

Guitarist of the Year
Sue Foley

Harmonica Player of the Year
Carlos del Junco

Piano/Keyboard Player of the Year
Kenny ‘Blues Boss’ Wayne

Horn Player of the Year
Chris Whiteley

Drummer of the Year
Geoff Arsenault

Bass Player of the Year
Suzie Vinnick

Songwriter of the Year
Rick Fines & Suzie Vinnick


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