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."Blues". The Canadian Encyclopedia.
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.
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
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)
Winners by year The 1st Annual Maple Blues Awards (1997) + The 1st Annual Maple Blues Awards Category Winner Entertainer of the Year Colin James Acoustic Act of the Year Colin James Electric Act of the Year Fathead New Artist of the Year Robin Bank$ Blues Band Male Vocalist of the Year Colin James Female Vocalist of the Year Rita Chiarelli International Artist of the Year B.B. King Producer of the Year Colin Linden SOCAN Songwriter of the Year Chris Whiteley Guitarist of the Year Colin James Harmonica Player of the Year Carlos del Junco Piano/Keyboard Player of the Year Vann "Piano Man" Walls Horn Player of the Year Johnny Ferriera Drummer of the Year Maureen Brown Bassist of the Year Gary Kendall Recording of the Year Colin James - National Steel Media Person of the Year Holger Petersen Blues With A Feeling Award Long John Baldry
The 2nd Annual Maple Blues Awards (1998) + The 2nd Annual Maple Blues Awards Category Winner Entertainer of the Year Colin James Acoustic Act of the Year Rick Fines Electric Act of the Year Colin James and the Little Big Band Male Vocalist of the Year Colin James Female Vocalist of the Year Rita Chiarelli International Artist of the Year B.B. King Producer of the Year Colin James New Artist of the Year Tyler Yarema and his Rhythm Guitarist of the Year Colin James Harmonica Player of the Year Carlos del Junco Piano/Keyboard Player of the Year Vann "Piano Man" Walls Horn Player of the Year Chris Whiteley Drummer of the Year Maureen Brown Bassist of the Year Terry Wilkins SOCAN Songwriter of the Year Colin Linden Recording of the Year Colin James - Colin James and the Little Big Band II Blues Booster of the Year Mark Monahan Blues With A Feeling Award Jackie Washington
The 3rd Annual Maple Blues Awards (1999) + The 3rd Annual Maple Blues Awards Category Winner Entertainer of the Year Colin James Acoustic Act of the Year Rick Fines Electric Act of the Year Fathead Male Vocalist of the Year Chuck Jackson Female Vocalist of the Year Rita Chiarelli / Sue Foley International Artist of the Year B.B. King New Artist/Group of the Year Raoul & The Big Time Guitarist of the Year Teddy Leonard (Fathead) Harmonica Player of the Year Michael Pickett Songwriter of the Year Morgan Davis Piano/Keyboard Player of the Year Tyler Yarema Horn Player of the Year Pat Carey (Downchild Blues Band) Drummer of the Year Maureen Brown Bassist of the Year Gary Kendall Recording of the Year Jack de Keyzer - Down in the Groove Producer of the Year Alec Fraser, Morgan Davis & Colin Linden Blues Booster of the Year Brent Staeben (Harvest Jazz & Blues Festival) Blues With A Feeling Award Michael Pickett
The 4th Annual Maple Blues Awards (2000) + 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) + 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) + 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) + 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) + 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) + The 9th Annual Maple Blues Awards Category Winner Entertainer of the Year Downchild Blues Band Acoustic Act of the Year Harry Manx Electric Act of the Year Downchild Blues Band Male Vocalist of the Year Paul Reddick Female Vocalist of the Year Dawn Tyler Watson International Artist of the Year B.B. King New Artist/Group of the Year Garrett Mason 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 Chris Whiteley Drummer of the Year Mike Fitzpatrick Bass Player of the Year Gary Kendall Songwriter of the Year Paul Reddick Recording of the Year Downchild Blues Band - Come On In Producer of the Year Colin Linden Blues Booster of the Year Richard Flohil Blues With A Feeling Award Danny Marks
The 10th Annual Maple Blues Awards (2006) + The 10th Annual Maple Blues Awards Category Winner Entertainer of the Year Downchild Blues Band Acoustic Act of the Year Hot Todday/Isaac & Blewitt Electric Act of the Year Colin James Male Vocalist of the Year Jim Byrnes Female Vocalist of the Year Suzie Vinnick International Artist of the Year Keb' Mo' New Artist of the Year Ndidi Onukwulu Guitarist of the Year John Campbelljohn Harmonica Player of the Year Carlos del Junco Piano/Keyboard Player of the Year Kenny "Blues Boss" Wayne Horn Player of the Year Chris Whiteley Drummer of the Year Geoff Arsenault Bass Player of the Year Suzie Vinnick Songwriter of the Year Rick Fines & Suzie Vinnick Recording of the Year Jim Byrnes - House of Refuge Blues With A Feeling Award Colin Linden
The 11th Annual Maple Blues Awards (2007) + The 11th Annual Maple Blues Awards Category Winner Entertainer of the Year Colin James Acoustic Act of the Year Harry Manx & Kevin Breit Electric Act of the Year Colin James & The Little Big Band Male Vocalist of the Year Chuck Jackson Female Vocalist of the Year Dawn Tyler Watson International Artist of the Year Watermelon Slim and the Workers New Artist/Group of the Year Thom Swift Guitarist of the Year Jack de Keyzer Harmonica Player of the Year David Rotundo Piano/Keyboard Player of the Year Michael Fonfara Horn Player of the Year Pat Carey Drummer of the Year Mike Fitzpatrick Bass Player of the Year Gary Kendall Songwriter of the Year Harry Manx Recording of the Year Colin James - Colin James & The Little Big Band: 3 Blues Booster of the Year Brad Wheeler Blues With A Feeling Award Big Dave McLean
The 12th Annual Maple Blues Awards (2008) In 2008, the late Jeff Healey and his band members won seven of the 17 awards presented.
+ 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