For those who may have missed the news, nominations for the 14th Annual Maple Blues Awards have been announced and JJ GREY & MOFRO have been nominated for Canada's top blues award -- The BB King International Artist of the Year Award.
The winners will be announced at the Annual Maple Blues Awards Gala in Toronto on Jan 17, 2011.
The Toronto Blues Society's goal is to promote blues music across Canada, and to recognize outstanding achievement in the field. The nominees are selected by a distinguished panel of some 50+ blues experts. The winners are selected by blues fans from across Canada.
The awards program is proudly organized by the Toronto Blues Society.
Hosted by Raoul Bhaneja, the awards show will include performances by Tom Lavin (Powder Blues), Dawn Tyler Watson, Shakura S’Aida, Jack De Keyzer, Matt Andersen and the Maple Blues Band.
ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR
Downchild
Johnny Max Band
Matt Andersen
Monkey Junk
Shakura S’Aida
ELECTRIC ACT OF THE YEAR
David Gogo
Downchild
Jack de Keyzer
Jimmy Bowskill Band
Monkey Junk
ACOUSTIC ACT OF THE YEAR
Braithwaite & Whiteley
Harrison Kennedy
Harry Manx
Little Miss Higgins
Matt Andersen
MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Bob Walsh
Duane Blackburn
Harrison Kennedy
Jim Byrnes
John Mays (Fathead)
FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Dawn Tyler Watson
Erin McCallum
Robin Bank$
Shakura S’Aida
Treasa Levasseur
NEW ARTIST OR GROUP OF THE YEAR
Arsen Shomakhov
Chris Antonik
Erin McCallum
Hupman Brothers
Mike “Shrimp Daddy” Reid
RECORDING OF THE YEAR
Downchild I Need A Hat (Linus)
Producer – Don Walsh
JW-Jones Midnight Memphis Sun (NorthernBlues)
Producer – JW-Jones
Mel Brown Love, Lost and Found (Electro-Fi)
Producers – Mel Brown, Alec Fraser & Andrew Galloway
Shakura S’Aida Brown Sugar (Ruf)
Producer – Jim Gaines
Various Artists Things About Comin’ My Way-A Tribute To The Music Of The Mississippi Sheiks (Black Hen)
Producer – Steve Dawson
BB KING INTERNATIONAL ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Derek Trucks & Susan Tedeschi Band
Duke Robillard
Janiva Magness
JJ Grey & Mofro
Mavis Staples
GUITAR PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Garrett Mason
Jack de Keyzer
Steve Dawson
Teddy Leonard
Tony D
HARMONICA PLAYER OF THE YEAR
David Rotundo
Guy Bélanger
Paul Reddick
Roly Platt
Steve Marriner
PIANO/KEYBOARD PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Graham Guest
Julian Fauth
Kenny “Blue Boss” Wayne
Lance Anderson
Michael Fonfara
HORN PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Al Lerman
Chris Murphy
Chris Whiteley
Johnny Johnson
Pat Carey DRUMMER OF THE YEAR
Bucky Berger
Chris Nordquist
Geoff Arsenault
Matt Sobb
Vince Maccarone
BASSIST OF THE YEAR
Alan Duffy
Alec Fraser
Brandi Disterheft
Gary Kendall
Keith Picot
SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR
Harry Manx
Jolene “Little Miss” Higgins
Paul Reddick & Colin Linden
Sue Foley & Peter Karp
Treasa Levasseur
