FOLK MUSIC ONTARIO

Albert John Saxby has been a musician for forty plus years, starting out in the seventies as the drummer and founding member of the infamous Toronto band (apocalyptic country trash monsters) the Absolute Whores. In later years Singer/Songwriter for Bucket of Shrimp Ears and Raven Mad crow Society. Albert taught himself to play both the drums and guitar, the latter leading to his passion for song writing, influenced by Max Webster, the Beatles and John Prine. With thousands of gigs under his belt and a repertoire of over one hundred, sometimes humorous, sometimes gritty and dark, but always thought-provoking songs, Albert has gained the respect of both his audience and his peers. Expect everything from folk, roots, blues, country and everything in between.

Showcases
Friday, Oct 13, 11:30pm, Suite 100
Saturday, Oct 14, 11:15pm, Suite 100

Aleksi Campagne is a bilingual contemporary indie-folk fiddle-singer from Montreal. As the son of Canadian Folk icon Connie Kaldor and student of Jazz Violin Legend Didier Lockwood, Aleksi combines his powerful voice with rich songwriting, all while accompanying himself on the violin and seamlessly switching between english and french.

SHOWCASES
Thursday, Oct 12, 7pm, Suite 300
Thursday, Oct 12, 10:55pm, Windsor Club

Alexander Saint is an artist with bloodlines, deeply tied to the Toronto music scene through his Guyanese-Canadian father. Saint's music is a mature take of honest storytelling about loss, love, and getting off your damn phone.

SHOWCASES
Friday, Oct 13, Late Night Showcase (technically Saturday), 12:30am, Suite 200
Saturdday, Oct 14, 7:10pm, Windsor Club

Acclaimed singer/songwriter, flutist and multiple CFMA nominee, Allison Lupton delights listeners with story songs and tunes that take you away to another time and then dance you home again. She has released 4 solo albums, touring here at home and across the UK with members of her all-star band featuring Andrew Collins, Shane Cook, Tony McManus, Joseph Phillips and Ivan Rosenberg. Her most recent release "Words of Love" earned Allison a CFMA nomination for "Traditional Singer of the Year".

SHOWCASES
Saturday, Oct 14, 8:30pm, Suite 300
Saturday, Oct 14, 10:50pm, Suite 200

6-time Juno nominee, Ammoye delivers a wholly unique future forward reggae sound that incorporates old-school rocksteady, dancehall and dubstep with soul and R&B. With her unique, multidimensional voice and messages of empowerment, Jamaican-born Ammoye is a lightworker and self-declared soul rebel.

SHOWCASES
Thursday, Oct 12 8:35pm, Suite 200
Thursday, Oct 12, 11:05pm, Suite 300

Anddre Mafra and The Reflections are a folk collective from London. Anddre was a Spotlight Showcase performer at the Folk Music Ontario Conference (2022). Nominated for the EMAC Studios Band of the Year at Fanshawe (2023), "Anddre and The Reflections" portray the feeling of an intimate living room at each show.

SHOWCASES
Thursday, Oct 12, Late Night Showcase (technically Friday), 12:50am, Suite 200
Saturday, Oct 14, 7:40pm, Windsor Club

Anthea Feaver is a singer-songwriter and traditional folk musician based in Kingston, Ontario. Her debut EP, "Play It Back," reached #1 on Earshot's Folk/Roots/Blues charts, and she is currently working on material for a new album.

SHOWCASES
Thursday, Oct 12, 10:10pm, Windsor Club
Friday, Oct 13, 12:15pm, Grand Ballroom West & Centre

A bluegrass powerhouse featuring rich vocal harmonies, killer picking, and charming stage presence, The Barrel Boys are a unique staple of Canadian roots music. Informed by the deep traditions of bluegrass, country, old-time, and Americana, The Boys have crafted their unmistakable sound into a joyful and deeply soulful musical experience.

Showcases
Saturday, Oct 14, Late Night Showcase (technically Sunday), 1am, Suite 100

Benj Rowland is the singer-songwriter and instrumentalist behind the well loved Canadian folk duo Mayhemingways. Having toured across Canada many times as part of a band, Community Garden is Benj's first solo album released under his own name. Recorded and produced by Joel Plaskett at his Dartmouth Studio, the album features a collection of songs that speak to small town Ontario.

Benj is a member of the board of the Peterborough Folk Festival.

SHOWCASES
Thursday, Oct 12, 11:50pm, Suite 200
Friday, Oct 13, 7:45pm, Suite 100

Indigenous singer/songwriter Berk Jodoin's carefully crafted songs cover difficult topics that are often ignored. Berk hopes that sharing these stories through song bring awareness and understanding to these issues. Fusing together his influences like Steve Earle and Waylon Jennings creates soulful storytelling with just the right amount of gravel.

SHOWCASES
Thursday, Oct 12, 7:10pm, Windsor Club
Thursday, Oct 12, 10:40pm, Suite 100

The Bilinguish Boys are a hilariously-engaging trio from Sudbury, Ontario. Stef Paquette, Dayv Poulin and Edouard Landry have blended in their successful solo projects to create a unique cocktail of vocals, guitars, improv and comedy. They have all the right moves, in both of Canada's official languages.

SHOWCASES
Friday, Oct 13, 12:30pm, Grand Ballroom West & Centre
Friday, Oct 13, 8:35pm, Suite 200

Brock Stonefish has released his debut album after 20 years of touring the United States, Canada, and South Korea. The album titled "Turtle Island" was produced by famed Actor/Musician Gary Farmer who also joined the album playing harmonica and backup vocals. The sound Engineer Jono Manson captured the sound of 90's GRAMMY winning rock band Blues Traveler. Currently the track "Residential Redemption is #1 on Top 40 Indigenous Music Countdown, Also on the album is "Pounding On My Soul" the single that reached #6 on Top 40 back in 2021 featured on SIRIUS XM Satellite Radio. Brock Stonefish has performed over the years alongside many celebrated names like BB King, Ice Cube, Kiss, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Our Lady Peace, Steven Page and Taj Mahal. In the summer of 2022 Brock Stonefish took the stage at a LANDBACK concert with Serena Ryder on drums and Tom Wilson on Vocals. Brock Stonefish is no stranger to Serena Ryder as they studied guitar together in a prestigious high school arts program. Along with Derek Miller, Brock Stonefish was a feature on the Gary Farmer Troublemaker All Star Tour summer of 2023.

SHOWCASES
Saturday, Oct 14, 3:20pm, Grand Ballroom West & Centre

Broke Fuse is a one-man blues band from Toronto. Jay Moonah, the man in question, has been a fixture on the scene for 30+ years. Broke Fuse has been performing to rave reviews since 2014, and was nominated "New Artist of the Year" for the 2022 Maple Blues Awards.

SHOWCASES
Thursday, Oct 12, 8:10pm, Windsor Club
Friday, Oct 13, Late Night Showcase (technically Saturday), 12:45am, Suite 300

Brooke Blackburn Canadian Singer Songwriter Guitarist for Juno nominated band The Blackburn Brothers formed The Bentley Collective as a Acoustic Soul solo project. As a songwriter and a descendent from enslaved peoples that came to the north to search for freedom their is a focus on a historical events on many compositions.  With the release of TBC's solo album, Songs, the band has been performing throughout Toronto and have established a few weekly residencies that keeps the vibe fresh. Through the shutdown the to opportunity to write and record at home set-forth a single release "Heroes" and another 2 albums worth of material that will be released in 2023/ 2024 and could be heard presently on stage during the bands live performances.  I recently performed in Memphis at the International Blues Competition (IBC's) and reached the semi finals. The music has a message and a groove.

SHOWCASES
Friday, Oct 13, 10:50pm, Suite 200
Saturday, Oct 14, 4pm, Grand Ballroom West & Centre

Cassidy Taylor is a pop singer-songwriter whose sound is described as introspective and atmospheric with an organic foundation. As a self-declared introvert who grew up in the Haliburton Highlands, her music is deeply influenced by nature and often written in metaphors. On stage, Cassidy performs solo with her electric guitar and drum machine, bringing new flavours to folk-pop music. Releasing her debut, self-titled EP in July of 2023, the project has garnered over 50K streams on Spotify to date.

Showcases
Friday, Oct 13, Late Night Showcase (technically Saturday), 12:30am, Suite 100
Saturday, Oct 14, 10:15pm, Suite 100

Planted at the crossroads of roots and soul, Charlie A'Court possesses a mighty voice, fierce guitar work and contemporary songwriting that is felt by fans across Canada and beyond. His latest album, When Country Gets The Blues, is nominated for Country Recording of The Year at the 2022 East Coast Music Awards. Often stylistically compared to mentors like Eric Clapton and Otis Redding, Charlie has always been recognized for exploring his musical horizons. As a five-time ECMA winner and eight-time Nova Scotia Music Award winner Charlie has earned awards for Blues, Pop, and R&B/Soul Recordings of the Year, and on multiple occasions been recognized as Entertainer of the Year. A'Court has also received multiple Maple Blues Award nominations including Male Vocalist and Songwriter of the Year.

SHOWCASES
Thursday, Oct 12, 10:05pm, Suite 200
Friday, Oct 13, 1pm, Grand Ballroom West & Centre

Australian sister duo Charm of Finches deliver intricate folk-pop that is simultaneously graceful and darkly bewitching. Their seamless blood harmonies traverse melancholy and wonder in equal measure. Winners of the Australian Folk Music Awards Best Folk Album (2022) and Music Victoria Best Folk Act (2021), the duo toured the UK/EU extensively during 22/23.

SHOWCASES
Thursday, Oct 12, 10:15pm, Suite 100
Saturday, Oct 14, 9:35pm, Suite 200

There is a pureness to Claire's voice that can silence a room. A moving songwriter and compelling guitarist, Claire combines smooth folk finger picking, jazz influenced progressions, soaring melodies and a graceful contemporary feel to folk music, always with a touch of her "wicked sense of humour" (Rik Emmett, Triumph).

SHOWCASES
Friday, Oct 13, 11:35pm, Windsor Club
Saturday, Oct 14, 7pm, Suite 300

Folk icon Connie Kaldor, CM is celebrating 45 years in show business with her upcoming 18th album! Three-time juno-award winner, she began her career in the Canadian wave alongside artists Stan Rogers, Ferron, and Valdy. "A masterful performer, wildly funny one moment, deeply personal the next." - The Boston Globe

SHOWCASES
Friday, Oct 13, 8:05pm, Suite 200
Friday, Oct 13, 10:55pm, Windsor Club

Cristian de la Luna's pop-Latin-folk music is both contagious and inviting. A versatile artist that combines the simplicity of folk story-telling, Caribbean percussion and the jazzy warmth of brass instruments. Deeply rooted in his Colombian roots, he explores the four corners of his heart through the depth of emotions to the playful naivety of our childhood. Cristian has two albums to his credit, both in Spanish and in French. His performances are endearing and captivating. « Mi casa es en todas partes » (My home is where we are together): Cristian seeks a communion with his audience. A ray of light, both his music and his lyrics are his invitation to a musical and impactful experience. His universal message calls us to live in the present and never stop dreaming.

SHOWCASES
Friday, Oct 13, Late Night Showcase (technically Saturday), 12:05am, Suite 300
Saturday, Oct 14, 8:10pm, Windsor Club
 

David Laronde is an Indigenous singer-songwriter and a proud Teme-Augama Anishnabai (Deep Water People) from Lake Temagami in Northern Ontario. His contemporary music is equal parts of traditional Indigenous, folk, rock and blues with David's own brand of soothing baritone vocal stylings and backed by the finest of musicians Peter Cliche and Dylan Shigwadja.

SHOWCASES
Saturday, Oct 14, 7:35pm, Suite 200
Saturday, Late Night Showcase (technically Sunday), 12:05am, Suite 300
 

Emily Jean Flack is not content to play it safe and stick to the status quo. Her fearless approach to blending traditional Celtic and modern sounds is what sets her apart from the rest. Her live performances are nothing short of electrifying, as she combines her original songs, Celtic instrumentals, and percussive step dancing to create a truly one-of-a-kind experience. At the heart of her craft is her undeniable voice. With her debut EP released in 2020, EJF quickly built a devoted following with her unique sound and raw emotion. In her most recent project "How You Love Me" set to be released in spring 2023, she is poised to take her sound to the next level, pushing the boundaries of pop music. With her exceptional talent and unique approach, Emily Jean Flack is a true Canadian artist.

SHOWCASES
Friday, Oct 13, 10:10pm, Windsor Club

Recognized by David Foster as a world-class, up-and-coming talent, Emily Schultz's honest songwriting, dynamic voice and raw onstage presence is highly inviting, invoking nostalgia, hope and light with her fresh take on folk.

SHOWCASES
Thursday, Oct 12,  Late Night Showcase (technically Friday), 12:10am, Suite 200
Saturday, Oct 14, 7:45, Suite 100

Ottawa based Rwandan Canadian singer-songwriter Empress Nyiringango is a self-taught musician, showcasing the self-titled Jablur sound, which stands for jazz, blues, and Rwandan. This distinctive fusion features Rwanda's oldest instrument "Inanga" (Zither) and contemporary music. Singing in Kinyarwanda, Swahili, French, and English; she conveys positive messages to the world.

SHOWCASES
Thursday, Oct 12, 10:25pm, Suite 300
Friday, Oct 13, 2:20pm, Grand Ballroom West & Centre

Erica Dee Mah is a singer-songwriter, storyteller, and contemporary guzheng player based in Whitehorse, Yukon. She writes lyrically rich songs on the traditional 21-stringed Chinese zither that explore themes of Chinese-Canadian identity across generations. Her latest release, "The Sargasso Season" earned national media recognition.

SHOWCASES
Thursday, Oct 12, 10:45pm, Suite 300
Friday, Oct 13, 9:40pm, Windsor Club

The multinstrumentalist Gabriel Schwartz presents his one man show - Solo. The repertoire is based on Brazilian folk music, with standards and originals. Gabriel conducts his performance constructing arrangements in real time with the aid of his loop station or also making solos of flute, saxophone, voice, and 8-string guitar.

SHOWCASES
Friday, Oct 13, 8:15pm, Suite 100
Saturday, Oct 14, Late Night Showcase (technically Sunday), 12am, Suite 100

GARNETTA CROMWELL, the magnetic lead vocalist, embarked on her musical journey as a young girl in Montreal. Being the youngest of eight siblings, she was raised in an Afro-Metis household, where music became her solace. Despite facing a hearing impairment during her childhood that required surgical treatment, Garnetta’s passion for music remained unwavering. She found inspiration in gospel, blues, country, and soul music, and started performing at talent contests. Her music also served as a tribute to her mother, Marva Ann Fairfax, who used music to survive and thrive.

Garnetta later became the lead vocalist and drummer for Torornto’s first all female reggae band, Sweet Sensation. Garnetta has performed on the same stage with Platinum/Grammy Award artists Maxi Priest, Shabba Ranks, Shaggy, Gregory Issac, Sean Kingston and Platinum/Grammy soul legends Percy Sledge, Dorothy Moore, The Manhattans and have recently performed on stage with the King of Boogie Woogie, Kenny “Blues Boss” Wayne.

She performed at the 35th Annual Women Blues Revue held at Massey Hall, in Toronto , Ontario, with some of Canada's top female blues singers. November/22. In 2021, after facing numerous personal challenges, she decided to take full-time control of her band,

GARNETTA CROMWELL & DaGROOVMASTERS, determined to create music that reflected her life’s journey. The band itself, DaGROOVMASTERS, is composed of talented musicians specializing in soulful blues.

SHOWCASES
Saturday, Oct 14, 4:40pm, Grand Ballroom West & Centre

Winner of the CFMA "Emerging singer-songwriter of the Year", Geneviève Racette launched her third folk-pop album Satellite, collaborating with City and Color. Surrounded by an all-female team, Geneviève conquers fans through her intimate vocals, lush instruments and expressive harmonies, evoking moments of love, heartbreak, healing and falling in love again.

SHOWCASES
Friday, Oct 13, 7:15pm, Suite 100
Friday, Oct 13, Late Night Showcase (technically Saturday) 12:35am, Windsor Club

Haley Midgette is a Toronto-based actor and singer-songwriter from Scarborough, Ontario. Combining a classic folk sound with modern atmospheric elements, Haley's music is driven by vulnerable, introspective lyrics, and melodies both elegant and catchy. She's appeared in indie films and national commercial broadcasts in the US in Canada.

SHOWCASES
Thursday, Oct 12, 9:30pm, Suite 300
Thursday, Oct 12, 11:30pm, Suite 200

Hearth & Hymn is a close harmony project produced by Samantha Cooper and Elisabeth Pixley-Fink. Beloved artists in the Michigan music scene, their masterful vocal blend captures a room. Hearth & Hymn reimagines old songs and pens future classics through a queer, feminist lens. Their current project is Lullaby Bangers (Earthwork Music).

SHOWCASES
Thursday, Oct 12, Late Night Showcase (technically Friday), 12:05am, Suite 300
Saturday, Oct 14, 9pm, Suite 300

Bait shops, biker weeks, folk fests and clothing-optional resorts - Baltimore's ilyAIMY has played it ALL nationwide for more than two decades. Innovative acoustic guitar, rapid-fire lyricism and even beatboxing is softened with cello, soulful vocals and lush three and four-part harmonies. An award-winning, "welcome jolt in folk".

SHOWCASES
Saturday, Oct 14, 1pm, Grand Ballroom West & Centre
Saturday, Oct 14, Late Night Showcase (technically Sunday), 12:45am, Suite 300

Quebec bilingual group Jabbour creates roots music with accents from the regional communities where the band members live - from the Laurentians to Montérégie. The band has been delivering heartfelt songwriting, driving two-steps, waltzes and epic pieces of music on the Canadian folk scene since 2015.

SHOWCASES
Saturday, Oct 14, 8pm, Suite 300
Saturday, Oct 14, 11:15pm, Windsor Club

Canadian fiddle champions Jane Cory and Kyle Burghout have performed across Canada, the USA, and Europe. They join forces to create innovative arrangements filled with lush twin fiddle harmonies, featuring a blend of the traditional tunes they grew up playing and contemporary tunes written by fiddlers from across Canada.

SHOWCASES
Thursday, Oct 12, 9:05pm, Suite 200
Friday, Oct 12, 10:35pm, Windsor Club

Janice Jo Lee (she/they) is a queer folk musician based in Tkaronto, Ontario. She is a contemporary folk-roots-jazz singer songwriter, composer-sound designer, spoken word poet, theatre maker, and arts/anti-oppression facilitator. She is interested in using art to build flourishing communities based in justice and joy. Her work explores gender justice, antiracism, workers rights, friendship, community, ancestry and the Earth. They tour solo, with a trio, and with a band.

SHOWCASES
Saturday, Oct 14, 10:25pm, Suite 300

The brainchild of Scottish-Canadian and award-winning visionary Jason Wilson (Wilson & Swarbrick), Ashara presents a joyful blend of Scottish folk, global roots and reggae. It's where Scotland meets Jamaica in Canada!

SHOWCASES
Friday, Oct 13, 10:40pm, Suite 100