White Rock Blues Society

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"Musicians are some of the most driven, courageous people on the face of the earth. They deal with more day-to-day rejection in one year than most people do in a lifetime.

Every day, they face the financial challenge of living a freelance lifestyle, the disrespect of people who think they should get real jobs, and their own fear that they’ll never work again.

Every day, they have to ignore the possibility that the vision they have dedicated their lives to is a pipe dream.

With every note, they stretch themselves, emotionally and physically, risking criticism and judgment.

With every passing year, many of them watch as the other people their age achieve the predictable milestones of normal life – the car, the family, the house, the nest egg."

Why?

"Because musicians are willing to give their entire lives to a moment – to that melody, that lyric, that chord, or that interpretation that will stir the audience’s soul.

Musicians are beings who have tasted life’s nectar in that crystal moment when they poured out their creative spirit and touched another’s heart.

In that instant, they were as close to magic, God, and perfection as anyone could ever be. And in their own hearts, they know that to dedicate oneself to that moment is worth a thousand lifetimes.”

- David Ackert, LA Times

21st Annual Maple Blues Awards
January 15 2018
TELUS Centre For The Performing Arts, Koerner Hall Royal - Conservatory Of Music
Toronto

Once again the Toronto Blues Society held their annual Maple Blues Awards Event at the Koerner Hall in downtown Toronto on Monday January 15.

The MBA’s are Canada’s National Blues Awards Program – Promoting blues music across Canada, and recognizing outstanding achievement in the field.

It was a fast paced show before a full house, with a number of artists performing between the award announcements, backed by the Maple Blues Band.

The Maple Blues Band is made up a stellar cast of seasoned blues artists:
Gary Kendall: Bass, Music Director, and Band Leader
Michael Fonfara: Hammond B3 & Grand Piano
Teddy Leonard: Lead Guitar
Tom Bona: Drums
Al Lerman: Harmonica, Tenor Sax, and Acoustic Guitar
Pat Carey: Tenor Sax
Chris Murphy: Baritone Sax
Howard Moore: Trumpet

As you will see below the west was well represented in this year's event. Colin James led the charge, receiving three awards with Big Dave McLean, David Vest, and White Rock Blues Society co founder Jason Buie each being acknowledged for their talent.

Colin James The Big Winner At Maple Blues Awards

Jan 16, 2018 by FYI Staff

Colin James was the big winner at the 21st annual Maple Blues Awards in Toronto on Monday night. The Vancouver-based blues-rocker was the only multiple award winner at Koerner Hall, earning trophies in the categories of Electric Act, Recording/Producer, and Guitarist of the Year.

New faces honoured with awards including multiple nominee Hamilton’s Harrison Kennedy for Songwriter of the Year, Ottawa’s Laura Greenberg for Bassist of the Year and Victoria’s Jason Buie for New Artist of the Year.
The Blues With A Feeling Award for lifetime achievement was awarded to Toronto-based Diana Braithwaite for her longtime career and commitment to blues music in Canada, while musicologist, professor, and writer Rob Bowman was presented with the Blues Booster of the Year award honouring his outstanding contribution to the Canadian blues scene.

The fourth annual Cobalt Prize Contemporary Blues Composition Award was also announced at the gala. Joe Nolan was the winner of the $1K cash prize for his song "All You’ve Got To Do, " with runners-up Conor Gains for his song "Walking Alone," and Miss Emily for her composition "Hold Back The River" that came with a cash prize of $250 apiece.

The Awards were hosted by ShoShona Kish of Digging Roots. That group performed, alongside Donald Ray Johnson, Cécile Doo-Kingué, Diana Braithwaite, Matt Andersen (with surprise guest Steve Hill), and Colin James, who closed the show with guest Steve Marriner of MonkeyJunk. All were backed by The Maple Blues Band.

Here is the full list of winners of the 21st Annual Maple Blues Awards
Entertainer of the Year - Paul DesLauriers Band
Electric Act of the Year - Colin James
Acoustic Act of the Year - Big Dave McLean
Male Vocalist of the Year - Matt Andersen
Female Vocalist of the Year - Angel Forrest
New Artist of the Year - Jason Buie
Recording/Producer of the Year - Colin James – Blue Highways (True North); Producers: Colin James & Dave Meszaros
B.B. King International Artist of the Year - Joe Bonamassa
Songwriter of the Year - Harrison Kennedy
Blues with a Feeling Award (Lifetime Achievement Award) - Diana Braithwaite
Guitarist of the Year - Colin James
Harmonica Player of the Year - Guy Bélanger
Piano/Keyboard of the Year - David Vest
Horn Player of the Year - Jon Wong
Drummer of the Year - Matt Sobb (MonkeyJunk)
Bassist of the Year - Laura Greenberg (JW-Jones)
Blues Booster of the Year - Rob Bowman