Toronto Blues Society has announced a stellar line-up of blues artists from across Canada as the 25th Maple Blues Awards return to Koerner Hall in Toronto on Monday, June 20.

Hosted by Ottawa’s Angelique Francis, Canada’s biggest night in blues music will feature performances from five Maple Blues Award nominees including Bobby Dean Blackburn, who is nominated for the Blues With A Feeling (Lifetime Achievement) Award, and multiple nominee Sue Foley, who is up for Entertainer of the Year, Electric Act of the Year, Songwriter of the Year, Recording/Producer of the Year, and Guitarist of the Year. Also set to grace the stage are Female Vocalist of the Year nominee Crystal Shawanda, Songwriter of the Year nominee Kat Danser, and Colin Linden, who is nominated for Recording/Producer of the Year and Songwriter of the Year.

These incredible blues artists will be supported by the award gala’s house band, The Maple Blues Band, who have been a cornerstone of the annual Maple Blues Awards Ceremony since 1999. The Maple Blues Band features a who’s who of musicians, including the ceremony’s musical director and bandleader Gary Kendall on bass, Teddy Leonard on lead guitar, Al Lerman on harmonica and acoustic guitar, Howard Moore on trumpet, Jim Casson on drums, Lance Anderson on piano and organ, Alison Young on tenor saxophone and Mei Kelly on trombone. At the 25th annual Maple Blues Awards, the Maple Blues Band will debut a mentorship program by adding a third-year Humber College music student to the group. Roshane Wright, from Kingston, Jamaica, will join the rhythm section as a percussionist. Following the gala, the popular after-party and nominee jam will be hosted by Miss Emily and will reunite blues fans and friends after the long months apart

The 25th Annual Maple Blues Awards take place at Koerner Hall (273 Bloor St. W., Toronto) on Monday, June 20 at 7:00 p.m. Tickets start at $35 and are on sale online at https://www.rcmusic.com/events-and-performances/maple-blues-awards-(5) and at the box office.

Please visit rcmusic.com/performance/covid-19-update for the most up-to-date COVID-19 protocol information.

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