The inaugural Canadian Blues Music Awards took place on Monday, March 30 at The Phoenix Concert Theatre, marking the launch of Canada’s new national blues awards program. The event had 16 competing teams and brought together professionals and industry professionals from across the country.
Brandon Isaak was the top winner of the night, earning Electric Blues Recording of the Year, Blues Song of the Year for “Walkin’ With The Blues,” and Blues Guitarist of the Year, all for his album. Walkin’ With The Blues. Steve Marriner was named Blues Producer of the Year for his work on Hear My Heart, This Old Life by Big Dave McLean, and YES! by David Gogo.
Sue Foley won Acoustic Blues Recording of the Year for One Woman Guitarist, A Tribute to Pioneers of Female Guitarists. Crystal Shawanda took home Female Blues Artist of the Year for Sing Pretty Blueswhile Marcus Trummer won Male Blues Vocalist of the Year for From the Beginning. Kenny “Blues Boss” Wayne was named Blues Keyboard Player of the Year for Ooh, Yeah!and Ollee Owens won Emerging Blues Artist or Band of the Year for Nowhere to Hide.
Additional winners included Guy Bélanger and Steve Marriner, who tied for Blues Harmonica Player of the Year, and Jim Casson and Sylvain “Sly” Coulombe, who tied for Blues Drummer of the Year. Jerry Cook won Blues Horn Player of the Year, Jasmine Colette was named Blues Bassist of the Year, and The Harpoonist won Blues Video of the Year for “Show Me The Green.” Bruce Morel and Ken Simms shared the honor of Blues Industry Person of the Year.
Tim Williams received the Lifetime Achievement Award. Blue Moon Marquee was named Fan Favorite Blues Artist or Band of the Year.
The awards are organized by the Canadian Blues Music Awards, an independent, not-for-profit organization established in 2024 to establish a national blues recognition program. The winners were selected by a panel of industry experts from across Canada.
“The Canadian Blues Music Awards represent a complete revolution,” said Quisha Wint. “A new program designed to serve the Canadian Blues community with transparency, fairness and unity from coast to coast to coast.”
The festival also featured performances from Steve Marriner, Crystal Shawanda, Kenny “Blues Boss” Wayne, Brandon Isaak, and Dana Wylie of Secondhand Dreamcar. Host Danny Marks opened the event, with an after-party lineup that included Glenn Marais and The Mojo Train, Ollee Owens, JP LeBlanc, and Secondhand Dreamcar.
2025 Canadian Blues Music Awards Winners
Emerging Blues Artist or Band of the Year
Ollee Owens – Nowhere to Hide
Blues Song of the Year
Brandon Isaak – “Walkin’ With The Blues”Walkin’ With The Blues)
Acoustic Blues Record of the Year
Sue Foley – One Woman Guitarist, A Tribute to Pioneers of Female Guitarists
Electric Record of the Year
Brandon Isaac – Walkin’ With The Blues
Blues Artist of the Year
Steve Marriner – Hear My Heart; Big Dave McLean – This Old Life; David Gogo – YES!
Female Blues Artist of the Year
Crystal Shawanda – Sing Pretty Blues
Male Blues Artist of the Year
Marcus Trummer – From the Beginning
Blues Guitarist of the Year
Brandon Isaac – Walkin’ With The Blues
Blues Keyboard Player of the Year
Kenny “Blues Boss” Wayne – Ooh, Yeah!
Blues Harmonica Player of the Year (Tie)
Guy Belanger – Postcards from London
Steve Marriner – Hear My Heart; Big Dave McLean – This Old Life; David Gogo – YES!
Blues Horn Player of the Year
Jerry Cook – All is Lost
Blues Drummer of the Year (Tie)
Jim Casson – Canborough Canborough
Sylvain “Sly” Coulombe – Our Ride Time
Blues Bassist of the Year
Jasmine Colette – Meetings in New Orleans
Blues Video of the Year
The Harpoonist – “Show Me Green” (Shall We Come Here To Dance)
Blues Industry Person of the Year (Tie)
Bruce Morel – Morel Music International
Ken Simms – Think Tank Music Network
Lifetime Achievement Award
Tim Williams
Favorite Blues Artist or Band of the Year
Blue Moon Marquee
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