Two Ottawa-area musicians walked away with hardware from the annual Maple Blues Awards held on Monday in Toronto.
Laura Greenberg took home her first Maple Blues award for bassist of the year and Matt Sobb, of Monkeyjunk, was named drummer of the year.
The night’s big winner was Vancouver’s Colin James who picked up Electric Act, Recording/Producer, and Guitarist of the Year.
Other first time winners included Hamilton’s Harrison Kennedy, Songwriter 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 Cobalt Prize Contemporary Blues Composition Award went to Joe Nolan for his song All You’ve Got To Do.
Here are the 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 for 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
