Maple Blues Archive

May 2025 – TBS 40

Jammin the Blues in Toronto since 1985

April 2025 – Vaneese Thomas

Vaneese Thomas is quite a singer! Her soul is deep, authentic and rooted.

Born in Memphis, TN, she is the daughter of the legendary Rufus Thomas, whose career spanned half a century and who was a major figure at Stax Records. She is also the younger sister of Carla Thomas, the Queen of Memphis Soul and of the highly respected keyboardist Marvell Thomas (R.I.P.).

April 2025 – Top Blues

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

April 2025 – Loose Blues News

Escarpment Anniversary: As the TBS celebrates our 40th year, we offer a big congratulations to our neighbours, and Canada’s newest Blues Society, the Hamilton-based Escarpment Blues Society, celebrating their first-year anniversary

April 2025 – Crystal Shawanda

Crystal Shawanda celebrates the release of ‘Sing Pretty Blues’ at Lula Lounge on Thursday, April 10

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!”

March 2025 – Top Blues

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

March 2025 – Jeff Healey

Celebrate the 10th Anniversary of ‘Healey’s Hideaway’ with screening and live music at The Redwood Theatron Thursday, March 6

February 2025 – Joce Reyome

Joce Reyome wins International Blues Challenge solo competition

February 2025 – Mississippi MacDonald

Mississippi MacDonald is Oliver MacDonald —Olly to his friends. He’s an English singer and guitarist from London. His nickname, Mississippi, was given to him by his buddies when he was a student