Maple Blues gala Jan 23 features Marriner

Marriner, centre, will perform at Koerner Hall Jan. 23. Seen here with Monkey Junk.

Multitalented and multi-instrumental producer and musician Steve Marriner of the award-winning trio MonkeyJunk is set to host the 20th annual Maple Blues Awards at Koerner Hall on Jan. 23.

The not-to-be-missed gala is Canada’s national blues celebration, recognizing outstanding musical achievement and gathering blues musicians and music fans from across the country each year.

A cast of some of Canada’s notable and emerging new blues talent will be performing at the gala concert and are all current nominees. This year the performers include Toronto’s Shakura S’Aida who is nominated for Female Vocalist of the Year, Calgary’s Tim Williams, who is nominated for Acoustic Act of the Year and Guitar Player of the Year, Montreal’s The Paul DesLauriers Band, who’ve been nominated in five categories including Entertainer of the Year, Electric Act of the Year, Guitar Player of the Year, Drummer of the Year and Bassist of the Year. Also performing is Toronto’s Sugar Brown, who is nominated for Songwriter of the Year, and Piano Player of the Year nominee Michael Kaeshammer from Victoria.

The performers will be backed by The Maple Blues Band, comprised of Gary Kendall, Michael Fonfara, Teddy Leonard, Al Lerman, Tom Bona, Howard Moore, Pat Carey and Chris Murphy. Following the awards and concert will be the popular after-party nominee jam hosted by Godboogie.

The Jan.  23 gala event is considered to be the premier blues event of the year.

Tickets for the Maple Blues Awards, held at the Royal Conservatory’s Koerner Hall in Toronto, are on sale now for $45 – $80 and can be purchased at The Weston Family Box Office, located in The Royal Conservatory building at 273 Bloor St. W., by phone at RCM box office (416) 408-0208 or online at performance.rcmusic.ca/tickets/seats/13205.

TBS Members, Nominees and Blues Summit Eight Delegates can purchase best available seats for $35.