Maple Blues Awards
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.
The nominees are selected by a distinguished panel of some 50+ 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 blues fans from across the country. In 2011, the voting process was altered, and the Instrument categories 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. This evening is Canada's national annual celebration of homegrown blues talent. 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
Winners by year
The 1st Annual Maple Blues Awards (1997)
The 2nd Annual Maple Blues Awards (1998)
The 3rd Annual Maple Blues Awards (1999)
The 4th Annual Maple Blues Awards (2000)
The 5th Annual Maple Blues Awards (2001)
The 6th Annual Maple Blues Awards (2002)
The 7th Annual Maple Blues Awards (2003)
The 8th Annual Maple Blues Awards (2004)
The 9th Annual Maple Blues Awards (2005)
The 10th Annual Maple Blues Awards (2006)
The 11th Annual Maple Blues Awards (2007)
The 12th Annual Maple Blues Awards (2008)
In 2008, the late Jeff Healey and his band members won seven of the 17 awards presented.| 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 |
| 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 | Paul Reddick |
| Recording of the Year | Jeff Healey - Mess of Blues |
| Blues Booster of the Year | Rob Bowman |
| Blues With A Feeling Award | Amos Garrett |
The 13th Annual Maple Blues Awards (2009)
The Toronto Blues Society held its 13th annual Maple Blues Awards ceremony on January 18th, 2010 at the brand new Koerner Hall at The Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto, Ontario.| Category | Winner |
| Entertainer of the Year | MonkeyJunk |
| Acoustic Act of the Year | Harry Manx |
| Electric Act of the Year | MonkeyJunk |
| Male Vocalist of the Year | Steve Marriner |
| Female Vocalist of the Year | Suzie Vinnick |
| International Artist of the Year | Taj Mahal |
| New Artist/Group of the Year | Blackburn |
| Guitarist of the Year | Tony D |
| Harmonica Player of the Year | Steve Marriner |
| Piano/Keyboard Player of the Year | Michael Fonfara |
| Horn Player of the Year | Chris Whiteley |
| Drummer of the Year | Bucky Berger |
| Bass Player of the Year | Alec Fraser |
| Songwriter of the Year | Chris Whiteley & Diana Braithwaite |
| Recording of the Year | Jeff Healey - Songs From The Road |
| Blues With A Feeling Award | Chris Whiteley |