Guitars Rule at
MBAs
Multi-MBA winner Jack de Keyzer jams it out with International Artist award recipient Duke Robillard and Maple Blues Band leader Gary Kendall. Photo by Dave Deacon
Lovers of blues guitar were in blues heaven at this year's Maple Blues Awards where legendary Canadian axmen Morgan Davis and Jack de Keyzer were honoured with awards in numerous categories. The event was made even more memorable with the presence of the blues guitarist's guitarist Duke Robillard who presented some awards, played a couple of his hits and was still on stage jamming with the boys as the party was winding down.
Toronto blues fans were reminded that our loss is Nova Scotia's gain when former Toronto blues guitar hero Morgan Davis led the winners at the seventh annual Maple Blues Awards with awards in four categories. Jackie hosted the celebration of Canada's top blues musicians at a down-home and funky gala event that took place at the Phoenix Concert Theatre in Toronto on Jan 19.
Morgan took home the 'Recording of the Year', 'Male Vocalist of the Year', and 'Songwriter of the Year' awards for his Electro-FI CD 'Painkiller.' Morgan Davis also shares recognition for 'Producer of the Year' with Alec Fraser.
Jack de Keyzer was honoured with awards in three categories, including the 'Entertainer of the Year' award, the 'Electric Act of the Year' award, and the award for 'Guitarist of the Year.' Jack toured nationally this year in support of his Juno award-winning latest CD entitled `6 String Lover.'
This year's 'Female Vocalist of the Year' is Suzie Vinnick, a Saskatchewan-born musician now living in Toronto, who recently released her highly acclaimed CD '33 Stars.' This is Suzie's first Maple Blues Award.
From the West coast, Vancouver Island's Harry Manx earned the 'Acoustic Act of the Year' award, and Kenny 'Blues Boss' Wayne went home with the 'Piano/Keyboard Player of the Year' award. This is the second year in a row that both artists have won their respective awards.
Halifax natives Shirley Jackson and Tom Bona also garnered awards. Shirley Jackson received the 'Horn Player of the Year' award, and Tom Bona, drummer for the Sue Foley Band and Raoul and the Big Time, received the 'Drummer of the Year' award for the third consecutive year.
Toronto's Rockit 88 Band, led by Bill King, founder of Jazz Report magazine and co-founder of the Beaches Jazz Festival, took home the 'New Artist or Group of the Year,' the Galaxie Rising Stars of the CBC award (which comes with a cheque for $2000.)
Harp wizard Carlos del Junco was honoured for his innovative style with 'Harmonica Player of the Year' recognition.
The 'Bassist of the Year' award went to Shane Scott, who released his first CD this year with Pete Schmidt, earning them a 'New Group or Artist of the Year' nomination.
Stony Plain recording artist Duke Robillard received his third consecutive 'International Artist of the Year' award. In addition to Jackie Washington, Robillard was one of the special guest performers at the awards gala which was recorded for broadcast by CIUT-FM.
Kitchener's Mel Brown was awarded with the Blues with a Feeling Award for his much deserved lifetime contribution to blues music. Born in Jackson, Mississippi into a musical family, Mel churned out albums in the sixties and seventies, which are today highly prized collectibles, showcasing his superb guitar style. Mel's innovative guitar work has been very influential on the younger generation of blues musicians. Mel was unable to attend but a video-tribute created by Mako Funasaka was shown to the audience
Elaine Bomberry was the recipient of the Blues Booster of the Year award, announced earlier this autumn. This special Maple Blues Award honours an outstanding blues industry contributor. Elaine produced an award-winning three-part radio documentary series, she was instrumental in the creation of an Aboriginal category for the Juno Awards, and is the producer of Rez Bluez showcase concerts.
Industry types gathered for a casual "round-table" meeting the afternoon before the show and discussed the "state of the blues" and the Blues Summit to be held in 2005.