What’s New at Winterfolk
This page depicts the history of Winterfolk going back to 2012. Very interesting how the festival has changed and adapted over the years.


What’s New at Winterfolk
Winterfolk Blues and Roots Festival Returns With Virtually Streamed Performances
By Darryl Sterdan | 2021-01-21 | Reprinted from Tinnitist Magazine Toronto’s 19th Annual festival is Set for Feb. 19th & 20, with a slate of online acts. When a Canadian music festival has been running for 19 consecutive years — in the middle of winter, no...
Winterfolk XIX Music Festival is Set to Stream in February
by Michael Raine Jan 20, 2021 | Reprinted from Canadian Musician Magazine, Jan 20, 2021 After 19 consecutive years, the organizers of Toronto’s annual Winterfolk Blues & Roots Festival aren't going to stop for a pandemic. After all, they decide every...
Julian Taylor
Evolving creatively is a key goal for any artist, especially for songwriters. Being able to tap into the vein of shared experiences by way of a personalized point of view is a gift the best songwriters are able to build upon from song to song and album to album. Only...
Jack de Keyzer
Acclaimed guitarist, singer, song writer, band leader and producer, Jack de Keyzer rarely sits still. For 46 years or roughly a couple million miles, de Keyzer has been hitting the road, air and studio to bring his brand of guitar driven blues around the globe. With 12 records, 1 DVD, 2 Junos and …
Ken Whiteley
Ken Whiteley is one of Canada’s most respected “roots” musicians. Drawing on his incredibly rich background in blues, gospel and folk styles, this 7 time Juno award nominee is always a wonderful addition to any festival or concert series. He has played at virtually...
Laura Fernandez
Born in Madrid, Laura Fernandez is a versatile singer songwriter pianist whose music merges the genres of pop, jazz and Latin music. Laura Fernandez a modern-day renaissance woman. She is an acclaimed painter, award-winning illustrator and designer, and a popular...
Melanie Peterson
Blessed with a voice reminiscent of an early Joni Mitchell, and an ability to imbue her vocals with palpable and authentic emotion, Saskatoon-born, Toronto based singer, songwriter and actress Melanie Peterson has become one of the brightest lights on the Toronto...
Mandy Goodhandy
Mandy Goodhandy will be teaming up with her musical partner as the duo "Lady & the Rambler" Mandy Goodhandy is a singer, comedian, and author who dips into her background of Musical Theatre and Cabaret. Her choices of torch songs and ballads are counteracted with...
Donné Roberts
Donné Roberts is a 2 X Juno Award Winner! Donné Roberts is a guitarist, singer and songwriter from Toronto ON Canada. Donné Roberts is a passionate performer. When he hits the stage he carries with him an energy that immediately exhilarates the crowd even if they've...
Diana Braithwaite and Chris Whiteley
DIANA BRAITHWAITE - A vintage and classic blues & jazz performer When Diana Braithwaite sings, you hear passion, with sultry stories of life beautifully expressed through music. Born in Toronto, Braithwaite is a descendant of the Wellington County pioneers in...
Ariana Gillis
Gillis displays a confidence and poise beyond her years. Ariana Gillis is singer-songwriter who grew up in the heart of Niagara, Ontario. Her ability to tell intricate stories with her songs caught the attention of many heavy hitters in the music industry at a...
Suzie Vinnick
A Saskatoon native transplanted to the Niagara Region of Ontario, Suzie Vinnick is the proud owner of a gorgeous voice, prodigious guitar and bass chops, and an engagingly candid performance style. Her career has seen triumph after triumph. Among her most recent...
Q & A – Tony Quarrington and Zoey Adams
One-of-its-kind Canadian musical duo Q&A — as in JUNO Award-winning Tony Quarrington and his esteemed counterpart Zoey Adams — deliver the second release in their multi-genre triple EP offering, One More FOLK Thing, including lead single “How Do I Love You?” ...
Sue and Dwight
Contemporary folk music with a few twists. Although Sue and Dwight were born too late to be part of the folk revival of the 1960’s their music embodies the spirit of that time. Both are songwriters whose work focuses on themes of peace, courage, and social justice. At...
The Country Radio Show Winterfolk Edition with Tony Quarrington & Suzanne Jarvie
Hosted by Dave Woods. This year's Winterfolk Artistic Director Tony Quarrington & Canadiana Americana singer-songwriter Suzanne Jarvie join Dave Woods on this episode to discuss the upcoming Winterfolk Blues & Roots Festival happening in Toronto over 3 days....
Toronto’s 18th Annual Winterfolk Blues and Roots Festival
Toronto’s 18th Annual Winterfolk Blues and Roots Festival Sets the Stage for 2020 — Announces Three Showcase Events in Addition to Wristband-Accessed Shows Winterfolk XVIII is Set for February 21st, 22nd & 23rd in Toronto’s ANNEX More than 100+ Artists on 5 Stages...
Paige Rutledge
Brand new single, Without Me, available now on all streaming platforms! Paige Rutledge is a young, energetic performer you don't want to miss. Paige Rutledge is an up and coming Canadian Country artist to watch. Paige has been performing across Ontario for the past...
Kate Mallen
2018 Taste of Country Riser Buffalo based singer songwriter and Taste of Country Riser. Kate Mallen is a singer songwriter from Buffalo, N.Y. and a member of NSAI’s Toronto. In 2018 she won Taste of Country’s ‘Riser’ competition and was featured on the Taste of...
Yan-Nick Michaud
Canadian barefoot multi-instrumentalist Yan-Nick Michaud spills his out to the stage with a strong sense of love, honesty a humility. With one bare foot rattling various homemade shakers and the other thumping upside the old, rickety, wooden Cajon upon which he sits,...
Just Jillian
Debut album "What Day Is It" now available Worldwide Just Jillian is a solo artist with a long history in the Toronto music scene. “The Toronto based artist clearly doesn’t construct her sound around any boundaries of genres with her delectable infusion of...
Winterfolk Blues and Roots Festival Celebrates 18 Years – February 21-23 2020
Submitted By Sandy Graham - Fri Jan 24, 2020 - Reprinted from Cashbox Magazine Canada - Toronto is a music mecca for festivals and events in the spring and summer months, but the event that takes the same concept indoors is the Winterfolk Blues and Roots...
Winterfolk Blues and Roots Festival Celebrates 18 Years – February 21-23 2020
Submitted by Sandy Graham - Reprinted from Record World Magazine Toronto is a music mecca for festivals and events in the spring and summer months, but the event that takes the same concept indoors is the Winterfolk Blues and Roots Festival, giving music lovers a...
Toronto’s 18th Annual Winterfolk Blues and Roots Festival 2020 Announces Full Musical Lineup
Toronto's 18th Annual Winterfolk Blues and Roots Festival 2020 Announces Full Musical Lineup Extended Deadline for Early Bird Passes Festival's Move to NEW Venues More than 100 Artists on 5 Stages for 3 Days of Music Advance festival wristbands at $15.00 available...
Acoustic Harvest Presents ‘A Taste of Winterfolk’ January 18
Acoustic Harvest presents A Taste of Winterfolk on Saturday, January 18, 2020 Acoustic Harvest presents a sneak preview of the Winterfolk XVIII Blues and Roots Festival, a jam-packed night of music and a teaser for the all-ages, mid-winter, weatherproof festival,...
Wristbands
Discount Valid to January 30, 2020 Advanced wristbands at $15.00! Avoid line ups in the cold. Order early to avoid disappointment – can sell out quickly! Avoid lineups at the door. A wristband allows entry to over 90 Winterfolk performances to see more than 100...
The Queen Street Cowboys
Winterfolk this year is proud to present the return of Glen Hornblast & the Queen Street Cowboys ! Winterfolk this year is proud to present the return of Glen Hornblast & the Queen Street Cowboys playing their blend of Americana and Canadiana country music....
Ken Whiteley
7 Juno nominations for his own recordings in Blues, Roots, Traditional & Children’s categories 20+ Canadian Maple Blues Award nominations, Best Blues song for "Everybody has the Blues" (OCFF/FMO 2007) Estelle Klein Lifetime Achievement Award (OCFF/FMO) &...
Winterfolk XVIII News December 29, 2019
Winterfolk XVIII News December 30, 2019 Below: Jack de Keyzer Guitar Jam at Winterfolk XVII (last year) Visit the Winterfolk Website 3 Days Left - Advance Wristbands on Sale - Order Now Save 40% on wristbands $15.00l Dec 31 til Wristbands Allow...
FYI Music Digest
Toronto’s annual Winterfolk Blues and Roots Festival turns 18 in 2020, and has made a major change. Written by Kerry Doole, FYI Music Digest - Long based in a cluster of venues in the Danforth and Broadvew area, it is now moving to The Annex. Five stages will be...
Winterfolk XVIII is Set for February 21st, 22nd & 23rd in Toronto’s ANNEX
Toronto’s 18th Annual Winterfolk Blues and Roots Festival Sets the Stage for 2020 Toronto’s 18th Annual Winterfolk Blues and Roots Festival Sets the Stage for 2020 More than 100+ Artists on 5 Stages for 3 Days of Music Reprinted with Thanks from Music Express,...
Winterfolk XVIII Newsletter Dec 11, 2019
Winterfolk XVIII News December 8, 2019 Winterfolk Has A New Home Winterfolk XVIII is celebrating its 18th year and its move west from the city’s east end, to Toronto’s Historic Annex neighbourhood. More than 150 artists will perform on five stages during the annual...
Abigail Lapell
2017 Canadian Folk Music Award Winner for Contemporary Album of the Year; new album GETAWAY released 2019 Call it prairie noir, or Canadiana desert rock: Abigail Lapell sings haunting, gorgeous modern folk songs. The Toronto vocalist, guitarist and...
Collette Savard and the Savants
Steely Dan and Fleetwood Mac go wandering through the backwoods playing songs you've never heard before With her palette of acoustic folk instruments, Collette whittles out of her imagination beautiful song gems. She brings them to you wrapped in the exciting package...
Kevin Breit
Stony Plain Recording artist. Kevin Breit is a Canadian musician who has traveled the world making music. Kevin Breit has recorded with Norah Jones, Rosanne Cash, k.d. Lang, Hugh Laurie, Cassandra Wilson, Holly Cole, Jane Siberry, Serena Ryder, Taj Mahal, Irma Thomas...
Suzanne Jarvie
New Sophomore CD In The Clear Released January 2019; Winner, 2019 Colleen Peterson Songwriting Award for All In Place Canadian Americana singer, songwriter and guitarist Suzanne Jarvie is about to embark on her second 2019 European tour supporting In The Clear and is...
Call for Winterfolk Volunteers
Winterfolk XVIII - Call for Volunteers Jan 04, 2020 Join The Winterfolk Team! From Jen Arima, Winterfolk Volunteer Coordinator The 18th annual Winterfolk Blues an Roots Music Festival will take place at the Tranzac Club and the Annex Hotel on Brunswick Avenue...
Soozi Schlanger
Songs from the Heart Contest runner up You know her as Swamperella - Toronto's Queen of Cajun...that little power house that can rock a room and can get anyone up dancing...anytime...anywhere! What happens to 'Swamperella' once the party is over and everyone has gone...
Sonic Peach Music
Sonic Peach Music is a Record Label focussing on great music in multiple genres, and released in high resolution audio format. The founding SPM artists will perform in this showcase - Laura Fernandez, Q&A, and Howard Gladstone. Note to all musicians: be...
Swamperella
Swamperella is not only Canada’s own Cajun/Zydeco band with 22 years under their shiny belts - Swamperella is an experience! What puts the swamp into Swamperella? Driving accordions - Gutsy fiddling- Sultry vocals and a Killer rhythm section that pumps out a ’cant sit...
Brian Blain
Slow-cooked, solid-groove story-telling blues from this year's recipient of the Maple Blues "Blues Booster" lifetime achievement award Brian Blain, a mainstay of the Toronto blues scene since the early 90s and a well-respected "elder statesman" of the blues will be...
Ben Sures
Past John Lennon and Isc songwriting contest winner, Irrelevant show cast member and touring artist. Super fun singer songwriter and storyteller.Great guitar player, fun to watch, memorable songs. Ben Sures is a Winnipeg folk festival raised singer songwriter known...
Donné Roberts
2 times Juno Award winner and 3 times Juno Award nominee. New release on Nov 2019 - Donné Roberts ONWARD Donné Roberts is a guitarist and a singer songwriter. Donné Robert's music makes winter feels like summer. African blues & jazz with joyful groove from...
Steve Raiken
Steve's CD was released in 2010 at Hugh's Room and had extensive radio airplay across Canada. Steve Raiken has been playing guitar and singing for 50 years. As a student at the University of Buffalo in the late 1960s, Raiken immersed himself in the folk music scene....
Winterfolk XVIII Blues and Roots Festival Confirms First Round of 2020 Artists
Reprinted from Sax & Violins Magazine, November 29, 2019 - Toronto, Canada’s annual Winterfolk Blues and Roots Festival is back for its 18th instalment and has confirmed the first round of artists. Held from February 21-23, 2020, the three-day event will once...
The 18th Annual Winterfolk Blues and Roots Festival
Reprinted from Cashbox Magazine November 28, 2019 - Toronto-based Winterfolk Blues and Roots Festival has announced its 18th annual celebration, with music and food on full display February 21- 23, 2020, including a stellar lineup of JUNO, Maple...
Mike McKenna
Toronto born Mike McKenna is a blues guitar player who in has played with Luke & the Apostles, Downchild, MeKenna Mendelson Mainline, and more. Opened for Jefferson Airplane & Grateful Dead His unique style of electric slide guitar has even earned him...
Sue & Dwight
Songwriters, singers, musicologists, authors, advocates, activists - Socially conscious Canadiana folk music with a few twists Born too late to be part of the 1960’s folk revival, Winnipeg born, Toronto based Sue and Dwight embody the musical spirit of that time....
D’Arcy Wickham & Son
Winner -Songs from the heart 2008, Signal Hill CD release 2019 D'Arcy Wickham is a teacher and performer of multiple guitar genres and stringed instruments who delights with his musical prowess as shown on his new 'Signal Hill'album In over 45 years of performing, and...