Toronto Blues Society Announces Winners Of The Inagural Indigenous Artist/Group Of The Year And The Blues Booster Of The Year Award

TORONTO BLUES SOCIETY ANNOUNCES WINNERS OF THE INAGURAL INDIGENOUS ARTIST/GROUP OF THE YEAR AND THE BLUES BOOSTER OF THE YEAR
AWARD
 
Crystal Shawanda named Indigenous Artist/Group of the Year
Brant Zwicker named Blues Booster of the Year
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​The Toronto Blues Society has announced the winners of two very special Maple Blues Awards, one being the inaugural Indigenous Artist/Group of the Year and
the coveted Blues Booster of the Year award, to be presented at the upcoming 27th annual Maple Blues Awards on February 12, 2024 at Phoenix Concert Theatre.
 
The Toronto Blues Society has been encouraging the emergence of Indigenous blues talent throughout the years since 1993, when they produced the first all-Indigenous blues
show, titled, ‘Rez Bluez’. Since then, the talent in this genre by Indigenous musicians has grown substantially. During the pandemic the TBS Board proposed the idea of having
a Maple Blues Award for an Indigenous Artist or Group. With the assistance of Elaine Bomberry as chair of the committee, six additional Indigenous people, including Diane
Kohoko, Amos Key Jr., Mell Kirkland, Ted Whitecalf, Lance Delisle, and Dennis Joseph, who are knowledgeable in the blues genre participated as volunteers. Together they
compiled an overall list and voted for the Indigenous Blues Artist/Group.
 
The recipient of the Indigenous Artist/Group of the Year is Nashville-based Crystal Shawanda, Anishinaabe from Wikwemikong Unceded Territory, Manitoulin Island. A JUNO Award winner and multiple Maple Blues Award winner, Shawanda is a force to reckoned with on stages across North America. “Having crossed over from the country music genre, she made her soulful blues voice known right away from coast-to-coast-to-coast”, says Bomberry. “Not only does she perform at large festivals and concert halls, she also performs extensively at Indigenous events and speaks to and inspires Indigenous Youth throughout her travels.”
 
On receiving word of the award, Shawanda exclaimed “I’m so thankful to everyone for this great honor, and excited and hopeful that this new category will serve as a
steppingstone for all the amazing Indigenous artists on the blues music scene today. Thank you to the Toronto Blues society for creating this space. Miigwetch!”
 
Kamloops BC's Brant Zwicker, who is the winner of the Blues Booster of the Year award, is a long-time advocate for blues music through his syndicated radio program “At The Crossroads, where he acts as the host, writer and producer of since February 2003. “At The Crossroads” is heard on 112 FM transmitters or streaming platforms in Canada, the U.S., the U.K. and Belgium.  The Blues Booster of the Year award is a very special recognition given to individuals and festivals for their dedication to supporting blues in Canada. "To receive an award of the stature of Blues Booster of the Year from the Toronto Blues Society truly is a significant honour for me. I do what I do in the blues community purely out of love and appreciation for the music and for those who make and support it”, says Zwicker. “That has always been the goal and the reward, so to be recognized for something that comes naturally to me is, indeed, most humbling."
 
The Maple Blues Awards is Canada’s national blues awards program. Its goal is to promote blues music across Canada, and to recognize outstanding achievement in the
field. The not-to-be-missed awards gala and performances will take place on Monday, February 12th, at The Phoenix Concert Theatre (410 Sherbourne Street).
Tickets are $37.40 - $84.75 and can be purchased on TicketWeb.