"I believe that soul music blues is the roots of popular music. As I get older, I realize the connection is very strong, undeniable everything changes with time we are all influence from the past. It’s the way of the world. as well, the blues connects with the soul, and we all have souls, so that always be an audience for the blues..."

Blackburn Brothers: SoulFunkn'BLUES…

"For me, emotional expression is the most important thing in art. Technique is incredibly important too, but for me, the driver is the emotional spark multiplied by technique that is developed through a lifetime of practice."

Philip Sayce: Rock n' Roll Spirit Rising

Reports of rock and roll’s demise have been greatly exaggerated, and…

"I felt that The Blues from its infant years and birth was always about honestly expressing oneself. It would be great if we can get to that point. of honestly expressing ourselves. In our micro and macro relationships."

David Rotundo: Blues With Feeling!

Toronto blues harpist David Rotundo heard James Cotton perform at the El Mocambo in 1991. “He…

"My fear is that now music is everywhere with platforms and magic is lost!"

Guy Bélanger: Voyages & Other Stories

Quebec’s popular harmonica player/songwriter Guy Bélanger presents VOYAGES & OTHER STORIES (2023), his seventh solo album. The album contains elements of blues as well as subtle touches of funk…

"I do miss the tremendous originality that blossomed in the late 60’s and 70’s. Digitization wreaked havoc on the industry and although it’s come back, I’m not sure it’s come back better. We don’t follow fads too closely preferring to continue on our own musical path."

Terry Medd: Welcome in the Bluesland

Western Canada’s The Bluesland Horn Band…

"Blues is about the human condition, life experience, and sharing stories. I was in college in a computer course when I realized I had to go full tilt into music. I guess you could say the fear of doing anything other than music is what changed the path of my life the most."

JW - Jones: Everything About The Blues!…

"The blues speaks to pain, loss, hope and love, universal experiences that anyone can relate to. It can be structurally simple but musically and emotionally complex."…

"In the way that music provides a soundtrack for our lives, the messaging in songs impacts the way we think and perceive the world. Music can be a safe place to explore ideas. As songwriters, I hope that we can broach challenging topics. I also hope that we will have critical listeners."

Kate Weekes: Better Days Ahead

For her fourth solo album…

""The interesting thing is, when travelling around, you realize that every human being aspires to similar things outside of life. They want a good home, a good mate, a decent job and some entertainment. Blues is appreciated anywhere I’ve travelled to It’s a bit of a universal language that can reach every culture."

Wolf Mail: On The Blues Road Again…

"The music has put me in places and with people that have greatly impacted me, my life and my career. The music has taught me to listen and think and be creative, but it’s more the places and people that I’ve worked and travelled with because of the music that have had the biggest impact on how I see the world."

Steve Dawson: A Kaleidoscope of Roots Soundscapes…

"Being part of the blues and rock counterculture has given me a more relaxed approach to life and a better understanding of people, their beliefs and cultures."

Gary Kendall: Maple Groove & Soul

Gary Kendall is one of the best-known bassists in Canadian Blues, having toured and recorded with the legendary Downchild Blues Band, 1979-83 and…

"I miss the meaningful lyrics, strong melody, and bass lines with stimulating chord progressions. I also miss reading the liner notes of an album to get a feel of the artist better. My hope is today’s artists would create great music that will have longevity and meaning. My fear is that the music of the past will get lost and not resurface. 

Quisha Wint: Eclectic Emotions &…

"Music is the most powerful artform that we as humans have. It is capable of incredible healing in many ways – emotional, physical and spiritual. People react to music in different ways and take what they need from it personally in their own unique way."

Cliff Stevens: Better Blues-Rock Days

Cliff Stevens is a Montreal-based blues rock guitarist…

"In a world of so much racial division, surely, we can all agree that music - and blues & soul music in particular - brings a diverse community of people together. I find that fact undeniable and incredibly powerful."

Miss Emily: Defined By Love...and Soul!

Multiple Maple Blues Award winner, and 2022 JUNO Nominee for Blues Album of the Year,…

"The thing I like about the music of the past, and especially the blues, is the honesty of the music. There was not days upon months of mixing, and overdubbing, and digital trickery. Four or five guys, or however many, would all go into a room big enough to facilitate the numbers, and set up and play, and the music was mixed and recorded on the spot “live off the floor”."

South Island Rhythm…

​"I think this music is timeless, and people will always love it, however, I think the reason blues has been able to generate renewed interest in recent years, is because newer artists are mixing blues with other genres, like rock, soul, pop, even hip hop."

Chris Antonik: Morningstar Blues

Since his nomination for Best New Artist at…

"Blues Music is all around us and has been for a very long time. Blues has been and still is the foundation for many art forms, not just music. Whether it be: Music, Film, Literature, Social Media, Story Telling, etc... People expressing their views and experiences with blues is a powerful way to reach an audience."

Spencer Mackenzie: Preach To My Soul…

"Just to keep learning. It is absolutely incredible how you can play and write in a particular style, and there is always still so much to learn. It is never-ending. That is the gift to the performer, its a type of fuel. If you are open to it, there's always something new and interesting to try and get better at."

Jim "Dan Dee" Stefanuk: Real Blues…

"My hope is that the music affects people in the same way it affected me – brings them enjoyment at the same time as giving them access to the same tools I gained through listening to blues music."

Lyle Odjick: Through The Rain

Originating from the Algonquin reservation of Kitigan Zibi, QC, now based in Ottawa, ON, Lyle Odjick went from living in…

"I think music is a great way to communicate your perspective to the world, but I think it probably best reaches one person at a time. Interpretation and enjoyment of music is very personal, and what one person gets from a song might be totally different from someone else."

Gary Cain: Maple Syrup Blues

Gary Cain is a Canadian-born guitarist,…