10th Annual Maple Blues Awards (last night)

[DevO]

Took place at the Mod Club in Toronto.

Hosted by Jim Byrnes

with special guests:

Harry Manx & Kevin Breit, Diana Braithwaite & Chris Whiteley, Shakura S'Aida and John Campbelljohn

Featuring the Maple Blues Band:

Gary Kendall (Bass, Musical Director), Michael Fonfara (Keyboards), Teddy Leonard (Guitar), Tom Bona (Drums), Al Lerman (Harmonica, Saxophone), Pat Carey (Tenor Saxophone), Chris Murphy (Baritone and Alto Saxophones), Chris Whiteley (Trumpet, Harmonica, Guitar)

And the winners:

ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR

Downchild Blues Band

ELECTRIC ACT OF THE YEAR

Colin James

ACOUSTIC ACT OF THE YEAR

Hot Toddy/Isaac & Blewitt

MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR

Jim Byrnes

FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR

Suzie Vinnick

NEW ARTIST/GROUP

OF THE YEAR

Ndidi Onukwulu

B.B. KING INTERNATIONAL ARTIST

Keb' Mo'

RECORDING OF THE YEAR

Jim Byrnes: House of Refuge (Black Hen)

Producer: Steve Dawson

GUITARIST OF THE YEAR

Sue Foley

HARMONICA PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Carlos del Junco

KEYBOARD/PIANO 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 AWARD presented by SOCAN

Rick Fines & Suzie Vinnick

BLUES WITH A FEELING

Toronto Blues Society Lifetime Achievement Award

Colin Linden

BLUES BOOSTER OF THE YEAR

Mako Funasaka