The Maple Blues Awards are Canada’s blues awards, "honouring the finest in Canadian blues ". They are the only comprehensive national best in blues awards program. The program's goal is to promote blues music across Canada, and to recognize outstanding achievement. The Maple Blues Awards have been presented by the Toronto Blues Society since their inception in 1997.[ 1] [ 2]
The nominees are selected by a panel of blues experts. The panel includes radio hosts , journalists , and festival organizers regionally distributed across Canada. Members of the Nominating Panel are not eligible for any of the awards.[citation needed ]
Nominees are voted for by the public. In 2011, the voting process was altered, and the Instrument categories (guitar, harmonica, piano/keyboards, horn, drums & bass) were voted on by the Nominating Panel. The remainder of the categories were voted on by the public.
The winners of the Maple Blues Awards are announced at the Annual Maple Blues Awards Gala in Toronto , Ontario. The evening also includes musical performances by the Maple Blues Band, composed entirely of Maple Blues Awards winners and nominees.
Current award categories
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Entertainer of the Year
Electric Act of the Year
Acoustic Act of the Year
Male Vocalist of the Year
Female Vocalist of the Year
New Artist/Group of the Year
International Artist of the Year
Recording of the Year
Guitar Player of the Year
Harmonica Player of the Year
Piano/Keyboard Player of the Year
Horn Player of the Year
Drummer of the Year
Bassist of the Year
Songwriter of the Year
Blues Booster of the Year
Blues With A Feeling Award (Lifetime Achievement Award)
The 1st Annual Maple Blues Awards (1997)
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The 2nd Annual Maple Blues Awards (1998)
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The 3rd Annual Maple Blues Awards (1999)
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The 4th Annual Maple Blues Awards (2000)
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The 4th Annual Maple Blues Awards
Category
Winner
Entertainer of the Year
Sue Foley
Acoustic Act of the Year
Morgan Davis
Electric Act of the Year
Steve Hill
Male Vocalist of the Year
Colin James
Female Vocalist of the Year
Sue Foley
International Artist of the Year
B.B. King
New Artist of the Year
Carson Downey Band
Guitarist of the Year
Sue Foley
Harmonica Player of the Year
Carlos del Junco
Piano/Keyboard Player of the Year
Michael Fonfara
Horn Player of the Year
Pat Carey (Downchild)
Drummer of the Year
Murray Downey
Bass Player of the Year
Gary Kendall
Songwriter of the Year
Sue Foley
Recording of the Year
Sue Foley - Love Comin' Down
Producer of the Year
Colin Linden
Blues Booster of the Year
Ralph Stordeur
Blues With A Feeling Award
Jack de Keyzer
The 5th Annual Maple Blues Awards (2001)
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The 5th Annual Maple Blues Awards
Category
Winner
Entertainer of the Year
Sue Foley
Acoustic Act of the Year
Michael Jerome Browne
Electric Act of the Year
Paul Reddick & The Sidemen
Male Vocalist of the Year
John Mays (Fathead)
Female Vocalist of the Year
Sue Foley
International Artist of the Year
Duke Robillard
New Artist/Group of the Year
Big Mark & The Blues Express
Guitarist of the Year
Sue Foley
Harmonica Player of the Year
Tortoise Blue (Big Daddy G)
Piano/Keyboard Player of the Year
Richard Bell
Horn Player of the Year
Pat Carey (Downchild )
Drummer of the Year
Tom Bona
Bass Player of the Year
Stephen Barry
Songwriter of the Year
Paul Reddick
Recording of the Year
Paul Reddick & The Sidemen - Rattlebag
Producer of the Year
Colin Linden
Blues Booster of the Year
Fred Litwin (NorthernBlues Music )
Blues With A Feeling Award
Jeff Healey
The 6th Annual Maple Blues Awards (2002)
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The 6th Annual Maple Blues Awards
Category
Winner
Entertainer of the Year
Sue Foley
Acoustic Act of the Year
Harry Manx
Electric Act of the Year
Sue Foley
Male Vocalist of the Year
John Mays (Fathead)
Female Vocalist of the Year
Sue Foley
International Artist of the Year
Duke Robillard
New Artist of the Year
David Rotundo & The Blue Canadians
Guitarist of the Year
David Gogo
Harmonica Player of the Year
Michael Pickett
Piano/Keyboard Player of the Year
Kenny "Blues Boss" Wayne
Horn Player of the Year
Pat Carey (Downchild)
Drummer of the Year
Tom Bona
Bass Player of the Year
Gary Kendall
Songwriter of the Year
Sue Foley
Recording of the Year
Sue Foley - Where The Action Is
Producer of the Year
Colin Linden
Blues Booster of the Year
Andrew Galloway
Blues With A Feeling Award
Chuck Jackson
The 7th Annual Maple Blues Awards (2003)
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The 7th Annual Maple Blues Awards
Category
Winner
Entertainer of the Year
Jack de Keyzer
Acoustic Act of the Year
Harry Manx
Electric Act of the Year
Jack de Keyzer
Male Vocalist of the Year
Morgan Davis
Female Vocalist of the Year
Suzie Vinnick
International Artist of the Year
Duke Robillard
New Artist/Group of the Year
Rockit 88 Band
Guitarist of the Year
Jack de Keyzer
Harmonica Player of the Year
Carlos del Junco
Piano/Keyboard Player of the Year
Kenny "Blues Boss" Wayne
Horn Player of the Year
Shirley Jackson
Drummer of the Year
Tom Bona
Bass Player of the Year
Shane Scott
Songwriter of the Year
Morgan Davis
Recording of the Year
Morgan Davis - Painkiller
Producer of the Year
Alec Fraser & Morgan Davis
Blues Booster of the Year
Elaine Bomberry
Blues With A Feeling Award
Mel Brown
The 8th Annual Maple Blues Awards (2004)
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The 8th Annual Maple Blues Awards
Category
Winner
Entertainer of the Year
Matt Minglewood
Acoustic Act of the Year
Sue Foley
Electric Act of the Year
JW-Jones Blues Band
Male Vocalist of the Year
John Mays (Fathead)
Female Vocalist of the Year
Sue Foley
International Artist of the Year
B.B. King
New Artist of the Year
Jimmy Bowskill
Guitarist of the Year
David Gogo
Harmonica Player of the Year
Carlos del Junco
Piano/Keyboard Player of the Year
Michael Fonfara
Horn Player of the Year
Pat Carey (Downchild)
Drummer of the Year
Tom Bona
Bass Player of the Year
Alec Fraser
Songwriter of the Year
Morgan Davis
Recording of the Year
Sue Foley - Change
Producer of the Year
Colin Linden and Janiva Magness
Blues Booster of the Year
Brian Slack
Blues With A Feeling Award
Jackie Richardson
The 9th Annual Maple Blues Awards (2005)
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The 10th Annual Maple Blues Awards (2006)
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The 11th Annual Maple Blues Awards (2007)
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The 12th Annual Maple Blues Awards (2008)
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In 2008, the late Jeff Healey and his band members won seven of the 17 awards presented.[ 3]
The 12th Annual Maple Blues Awards
Category
Winner
Entertainer of the Year
Jeff Healey
Acoustic Act of the Year
Harry Manx
Electric Act of the Year
Jeff Healey
Male Vocalist of the Year
Jon Mays (Fathead)
Female Vocalist of the Year
Suzie Vinnick
International Artist of the Year
Taj Mahal
New Artist of the Year
Daddy Long Legs
Guitarist of the Year
Jeff Healey
Harmonica Player of the Year
Steve Marriner
Piano/Keyboard Player of the Year
Dave Murphy
Horn Player of the Year
Pat Carey
Drummer of the Year
Al Webster
Bass Player of the Year
Alec Fraser
Songwriter of the Year
Paul Reddick
Recording of the Year
Jeff Healey - Mess of Blues
Blues Booster of the Year
Rob Bowman
Blues With A Feeling Award
Amos Garrett
The 13th Annual Maple Blues Awards (2009)
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The Toronto Blues Society held its 13th annual Maple Blues Awards ceremony on January 18, 2010, at the brand new Koerner Hall at The Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto , Ontario.[ 4]
The 13th Annual Maple Blues Awards
Category
Winner
Entertainer of the Year
MonkeyJunk [ 5]
Acoustic Act of the Year
Harry Manx
Electric Act of the Year
MonkeyJunk
Male Vocalist of the Year
Steve Marriner (MonkeyJunk)
Female Vocalist of the Year
Suzie Vinnick
International Artist of the Year
Taj Mahal
New Artist/Group of the Year
Blackburn
Guitarist of the Year
Tony D (MonkeyJunk)
Harmonica Player of the Year
Steve Marriner (MonkeyJunk)
Piano/Keyboard Player of the Year
Michael Fonfara
Horn Player of the Year
Chris Whiteley
Drummer of the Year
Bucky Berger (Fathead)
Bass Player of the Year
Alec Fraser
Songwriter of the Year
Chris Whiteley & Diana Braithwaite
Recording of the Year
Jeff Healey - Songs From The Road
Blues With A Feeling Award
Chris Whiteley
The 14th Annual Maple Blues Awards (2010)
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The 15th Annual Maple Blues Awards (2011)
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The 16th Annual Maple Blues Awards (2012)
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The 17th Annual Maple Blues Awards (2013)
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The 17th Annual Maple Blues Awards[ 11]
Category
Winner
Entertainer of the Year
MonkeyJunk
Acoustic Act of the Year
Dawn Tyler Watson and Paul Deslauriers
Electric Act of the Year
MonkeyJunk
Male Vocalist of the Year
Jim Byrnes
Female Vocalist of the Year
Angel Forrest
International Artist of the Year
Tedeschi Trucks Band
New Artist/Group of the Year
The Mackenzie Blues Band
Guitar Player of the Year
Paul Deslauriers
Harmonica Player of the Year
Steve Marriner
Piano/Keyboard Player of the Year
Lance Anderson
Horn Player of the Year
Chris Whiteley
Drummer of the Year
Tom Bona
Bass Player of the Year
Gary Kendall
Songwriter of the Year
MonkeyJunk "Steve Marriner, Matt Sobb and Tony Diteodoro"
Recording of the Year
MonkeyJunk - All Frequencies
Blues Booster of the Year
Tim Hortons Southside Shuffle
Blues With A Feeling (Lifetime Achievement)
Bob Walsh
The 18th Annual Maple Blues Awards (2014)
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The 18th Annual Maple Blues Awards[ 12]
Category
Winner
Entertainer of the Year
Steve Hill
Acoustic Act of the Year
Brandon Isaak
Electric Act of the Year
Steve Hill
Male Vocalist of the Year
Matt Andersen
Female Vocalist of the Year
Angel Forrest
International Artist of the Year
Tedeschi Trucks Band
New Artist/Group of the Year
Wicked Grin
Guitar Player of the Year
Steve Hill
Harmonica Player of the Year
TIE: Guy Bélanger and Harpdog Brown
Piano/Keyboard Player of the Year
David Vest
Horn Player of the Year
Jon Wong (The 24th Street Wailers)
Drummer of the Year
Tom Bona (Soulstack; Raoul & The Big Time)
Bass Player of the Year
Greg Morency (Paul DesLauriers Band)
Songwriter of the Year
Angel Forrest
Recording of the Year
Steve Hill - Solo Recordings Vol. 2
Blues Booster of the Year
Peter North
Blues With A Feeling (Lifetime Achievement)
Nanette Workman
The 19th Annual Maple Blues Awards (2015)
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The 19th Annual Maple Blues Awards[ 13]
Category
Winner
Entertainer of the Year
Steve Hill
Acoustic Act of the Year
Big Dave McLean
Electric Act of the Year
Steve Hill
Male Vocalist of the Year
Matt Andersen
Female Vocalist of the Year
Angel Forrest
International Artist of the Year
Buddy Guy
New Artist/Group of the Year
Kirby Sewell Band
Guitar Player of the Year
Steve Hill
Harmonica Player of the Year
Harpdog Brown
Piano/Keyboard Player of the Year
David Vest
Horn Player of the Year
Jon Wong (The 24th Street Wailers)
Drummer of the Year
Tom Bona (Soulstack; Raoul & The Big Time)
Bass Player of the Year
Leigh-Anne Stanton (Wicked Grin)
Songwriter of the Year
Colin Linden
Recording of the Year
Colin Linden - Rich In Love (Stony Plain). Producers: Colin Linden, Jon Dymond, Gary Craig
Blues Booster of the Year
Larry Kurtz
Blues With A Feeling (Lifetime Achievement)
Theresa Malenfant
The 20th Annual Maple Blues Awards (2016)
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The 20th Annual Maple Blues Awards[ 14]
Category
Winner
Entertainer of the Year
The Paul DesLauriers Band
Acoustic Act of the Year
Big Dave McLean
Electric Act of the Year
The Paul DesLauriers Band
Male Vocalist of the Year
Matt Andersen
Female Vocalist of the Year
Angel Forrest
International Artist of the Year
Joe Bonamassa
New Artist/Group of the Year
Spencer MacKenzie
Guitar Player of the Year
David Gogo
Harmonica Player of the Year
Harpdog Brown
Piano/Keyboard Player of the Year
Kenny "Blues Boss" Wayne
Horn Player of the Year
Frankie Thiffault
Drummer of the Year
Sam Harrisson (The Paul DesLauriers Band)
Bass Player of the Year
Greg Morency (The Paul DesLauriers Band)
Songwriter of the Year
Angel Forrest & Denis Coulombe
Recording of the Year
Angel Forrest - Angel's 11 (Morningstar). Producers: Angel Forrest and Denis Coulombe
Blues Booster of the Year
Cam Hayden
Blues With A Feeling (Lifetime Achievement)
Stephen Barry
The 21st Annual Maple Blues Awards (2017)
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The 21st Annual Maple Blues Awards[ 15]
Category
Winner
Entertainer of the Year
The Paul DesLauriers Band
Acoustic Act of the Year
Big Dave McLean
Electric Act of the Year
Colin James
Male Vocalist of the Year
Matt Andersen
Female Vocalist of the Year
Angel Forrest
International Artist of the Year
Joe Bonamassa
New Artist/Group of the Year
Jason Buie
Guitar Player of the Year
Colin James
Harmonica Player of the Year
Guy Bélanger
Piano/Keyboard Player of the Year
David Vest
Horn Player of the Year
Jon Wong
Drummer of the Year
Matt Sobb
Bass Player of the Year
Laura Greenberg
Songwriter of the Year
Harrison Kennedy
Recording/Producer of the Year
Colin James - Blue Highways (True North) Producers: Colin James & Dave Meszaros
Blues With A Feeling (Lifetime Achievement)
Diana Braithwaite
The 22nd Annual Maple Blues Awards (2018)
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The 22nd Annual Maple Blues Awards[ 16]
Category
Winner
Entertainer of the Year
Colin James
Acoustic Act of the Year
Big Dave McLean
Electric Act of the Year
Colin James
Male Vocalist of the Year
Colin James
Female Vocalist of the Year
Angel Forrest
International Artist of the Year
Buddy Guy
New Artist/Group of the Year
Emily Burgess
Guitar Player of the Year
Sue Foley
Harmonica Player of the Year
Steve Marriner
Piano/Keyboard Player of the Year
David Vest
Horn Player of the Year
Shirley Jackson
Drummer of the Year
Lindsay Beaver
Bass Player of the Year
Laura Greenberg (JW-Jones)
Songwriter of the Year
Colin James
Recording/Producer of the Year
Colin James - Miles to Go (True North) Producers: Colin James Dave Meszaros
Blues With A Feeling (Lifetime Achievement)
Ellen McIlwaine
Blues Booster of the Year
The Hornby Island Blues Society
The 23nd Annual Maple Blues Awards (2019)
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The 23nd Annual Maple Blues Awards[ 17]
Category
Winner
Entertainer of the Year
Downchild Blues Band
Acoustic Act of the Year
Matt Andersen
Electric Act of the Year
Colin James
Male Vocalist of the Year
Matt Andersen
Female Vocalist of the Year
Miss Emily
International Artist of the Year
Buddy Guy
New Artist/Group of the Year
Miss Emily
Guitar Player of the Year
Paul DesLauriers
Harmonica Player of the Year
Harpdog Brown & Steve Marriner (tie)
Piano/Keyboard Player of the Year
Kenny “Blues Boss” Wayne
Horn Player of the Year
Chris Whiteley & Mat “Moose” Mousseau (tie)
Drummer of the Year
Tom Bona
Bass Player of the Year
Alec McElcheran
Songwriter of the Year
Dawn Tyler Watson
Recording/Producer of the Year
Dawn Tyler Watson – Mad Love (Self) Producers: Francois Thiffault & Dawn Tyler Watson
Blues With A Feeling (Lifetime Achievement)
Michael Jerome Browne
Blues Booster of the Year
Brian Blain
The 24nd Annual Maple Blues Awards (2020)
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The 24nd Annual Maple Blues Awards[ 18]
Category
Winner
Entertainer of the Year
Dawn Tyler Watson
Acoustic Act of the Year
Matt Andersen
Electric Act of the Year
Jack de Keyzer
Male Vocalist of the Year
Matt Andersen
Female Vocalist of the Year
Angel Forrest
B.B. King International Artist of the Year
Ghost Town Blues Band
New Artist/Group of the Year
Smoke Wagon Blues Band
Guitar Player of the Year
Garrett Mason
Harmonica Player of the Year
Steve Marriner
Piano/Keyboard Player of the Year
Jesse O'Brien
Horn Player of the Year
Mark LeClerc
Drummer of the Year
Gary Craig
Bassist of the Year
John Dymond
Songwriter of the Year
Colin Linden
Recording/Producer of the Year
Ballad of Albert Johnson (Self) ARTIST: Smoke Wagon Blues Band PRODUCER: Steve Sherman
Blues With A Feeling (Lifetime Achievement)
Joe Murphy & Ken Whitely (tie)
Blues Booster of the Year
Cindy McLeod
The 25nd Annual Maple Blues Awards (2021)
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The 25nd Annual Maple Blues Awards[ 19]
Category
Winner
Entertainer of the Year
Sue Foley
Acoustic Act of the Year
David Gogo & Steve Marriner
Electric Act of the Year
Colin James
Male Vocalist of the Year
Colin James
Female Vocalist of the Year
Miss Emily
B.B. King International Artist of the Year
Bonnie Raitt
New Artist/Group of the Year
Lowdown Dirty Mojos
Guitarist of the Year
Sue Foley
Harmonica Player of the Year
Steve Marriner
Piano/Keyboard Player of the Year
David Vest
Horn Player of the Year
Alison Young
Drummer of the Year
Lindsay Beaver
Bassist of the Year
Keith Picot
Songwriter of the Year
Steve Marrier
Recording/Producer of the Year
Hope Dies Last (Stony Plain) ARTIST: Steve Marriner PRODUCER: Steve Marriner
Blues With A Feeling (Lifetime Achievement)
Shakura S'Aida
Blues Booster of the Year
Claude Cloutier and Terry Parsons (tie)
The 26nd Annual Maple Blues Awards (2022)
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The 26nd Annual Maple Blues Awards[ 20]
Category
Winner
Entertainer of the Year
Blue Moon Marquee
Acoustic Act of the Year
Blue Moon Marquee
Electric Act of the Year
Colin James
Male Vocalist of the Year
Matt Andersen
Female Vocalist of the Year
Suzie Vinnick
B.B. King International Artist of the Year
Mavis Staples
New Artist/Group of the Year
Angelique Francis
Guitarist of the Year
Sue Foley
Harmonica Player of the Year
Steve Marriner
Piano/Keyboard Player of the Year
Jesse O'Brien
Horn Player of the Year
Alison Young
Drummer of the Year
Jim Casson
Bassist of the Year
Keith Picot
Songwriter of the Year
Blue Moon Marquee
Recording/Producer of the Year
Blue Moon Marquee
Blues With A Feeling (Lifetime Achievement)
Harrison Kennedy
Blues Booster of the Year
Patrick Monaghan