Toronto Blues Society | » Loose Blues News

Odds and sods from the Toronto blues community and beyond.


March 2025 – Loose Blues News

TBS @ FAI: The TBS put on a showcase at last month’s Folk Alliance conference in Montreal. The artists featured were Suzie Vinnick, Miss Emily, Michael Jerome Browne, Angelique Francis, Charlie A’Court, Graham Lindsey,The Harpoonist, Berk Jodoin and Maya Killtron.  Suzie reports, “Cat Bird (TBS grant-writer) and her team transformed the space with a beautiful blue and green motif—perfect for our ‘blues’ night, with plenty of blue accents.There was a nice variety of bluesy performers who drew lots of listeners to the room.  I brought along six boxes of Canadian-made maple leaf cookies (wish they were blue!), with extra beer and sodas provided by Cat’s team. It was wonderful to showcase our Canadian blues talent in such a welcoming space. A big thank you to Cat Bird and her team for sharing their space with us!”

 

February 2025 – Loose Blues News

TBS Celebrates the 10th Anniversary of the excellent documentary, ‘Healey’s Hideaway’ and we celebrate Jeff’s incredible legacy with a screening of the film at the historic Redwood Theatre on Thursday March 6 at 6:30pm.

January 2025 – Loose Blues News

Former TBS boarder Julian Taylor shared on his Instagram page that he is this year’s recipient of the Toronto Musician’s Association (Local 149) Community Builder of the Year award which was presented to him by TMA President Les Altt. from TMA. Julian writes, “This means the world to me and I was totally taken by surprise at receiving this prestigious award from Toronto Musicians’ Association – Local 149 AFM. Thank you to all our members for the recognition as Community Builder of the Year. What an honour! “Community = COMMON-UNITY”

December 2024 – Loose Blues News

Jay Douglas Documentary: Play It Loud! — How Toronto Got Soul is set for Official Premiere on Dec. 4 and 7 at Hot Docs Cinema: Jay Douglas has been a popular figure on the blues scene but he came up in Toronto’s vibrant reggae and Caribbean music scene

November 2024 – Loose Blues News

Blues for the Red Door: The spirit of Big Rude Jake comes forth for the 10th Annual “Blues for the Red Door” soiree. The fundraiser returns to the Long Branch Social House in Etobicoke on Sunday, November 10

October 2024 – Loose Blues News

Festival Finale: The Canal Bank has traditionally closed the festival season in our little corner of the blues world but it took a big hit when founder Tim Sinnett passed away and it’s been a struggle getting it back to its former glory but thanks to Brant Parker and a lot Thorold blues lovers, this year’s event promises to be a blockbuster with some great blues acts

September 2024 – Loose Blues News

Fall Festivals:  The festival season is winding down but not over.  Wasaga, Durham Fest, Belleville and Southside Shuffle are all upon us for September.  See the festival guide on our website for dates and links.  It’s not over ‘till it’s over.

August 2024 – Loose Blues News

Downchild retires: Canada’s national blues band is calling it a day. In a Facebook post yesterday, the group stated that “As we celebrate our 55th Anniversary this year and 55 years of performing around the world, the time has come to say so long to touring and our loyal fans, many of you who have followed us for the whole ride”. They will be performing their farewell tour this fall. They have been a fixture on the Canadian blues landscape and made an international splash when three of their songs were covered on the first Blues Brothers album. Downchild gave Canada the Blues. Mission accomplished!

July 2024 – Loose Blues News

Phoenix Closing: One of Toronto’s longest running concert venues is closing early next year. This landmark concert venue, which hosted the Maple Blues Awards this year will go dark effective on Jan. 15, 2025 making room for a new residential housing development. The concert hall has a long history in the city as an entertainment venue. In 1984, it was re-branded as The Diamond.

June 2024 – Loose Blues News

The Blues Music Awards: Canadian and Canada-based blues artists Sue Foley and Kenny ‘Blues Boss’ Wayne had a big night in Memphis at the Blues Music Awards.

Donate Join TBS Volunteer

©2025 Toronto Blues Society. Design by Janine Stoll Media.
TBS logo and WBR artwork by Barbara Klunder


The Toronto Blues Society acknowledges the annual support of the Ontario Arts Council, the City of Toronto through the Toronto Arts Council and the Department of Canadian Heritage, and project support from FACTOR< and the Government of Canada through the Department of Canadian Heritage (Canada Music Fund) and of Canada’s Private Broadcasters, The Canada Council for the Arts, the SOCAN Foundation, SOCAN, the Ontario Media Development Corporation, and the Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport.