What's New At Winterfolk

A Brief History of Winterfolk through News and Media

Winterfolk’s Most Recent News Will Always Appear on This Page

Winterfolk Festival Takes Hiatus in 2024

Winterfolk Festival Takes Hiatus in 2024

Toronto’s highly regarded Winterfolk Blues and Roots Festival will be temporarily suspended for the entirety of 2024, signaling a departure from its annual celebration of diverse musical talents and the unique winter...

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Winterfolk Festival Takes Hiatus in 2024

Winterfolk Festival Takes Hiatus in 2024

Toronto's highly regarded Winterfolk Blues and Roots Festival will be temporarily suspended for the entirety of 2024, signaling a departure from its annual celebration of diverse musical talents and the unique winter...

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Artist Info Collection

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Winterfolk XXI Artists (Feb 2023)

Winterfolk XXI Artists (Feb 2023)

[dizo_image_hover image="https://www.winterfolk.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/2000_6325d42a62d63.webp" image_height_settings="on" image_height="700px" effect_style="modern" t_infix="Garnetta Cromwell" t_suffix="Winner of...

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Winterfolk in Top 50 Toronto Winter Events

Winterfolk in Top 50 Toronto Winter Events

Winterfolk Music Festival The Winterfolk Music Festival is a celebrated festival of live music in Toronto for over 20 years. Taking place at the end of February, Winterfolk showcases over 100 artists across five stages in...

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Winterfolk XXI Feb 24-26

Winterfolk XXI Feb 24-26

ANNUAL WINTERFOLK BLUES AND ROOTS FESTIVAL MARKS 21ST YEAR FEATURING SULTANS OF STRING, GARY KENDALL BAND, ANNE LINDSAY & MORE POSTED BY BK ON JANUARY 26, 2023 IN ARTS, MUSIC, MUSIC REVIEWS, NEW...

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Winterfolk Festival is this weekend

Winterfolk Festival is this weekend

It’s official: Toronto’s Winterfolk Blues and Roots Festival adds award-winning guitarist and singer-songwriter Sue Foley to this year’s event lineup for the weekend. Fresh off the release of her latest album, 2021’s...

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Winterfolk Confirms 20th Annual Lineup

Winterfolk Confirms 20th Annual Lineup

Submitted by Sandy Graham Reprinted from From Record World  It’s official: Celebrating its landmark 20th year presenting the finest sounds around, Toronto’s Winterfolk Blues and Roots Festival adds award-winning...

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Winterfolk XX Confirms Lineup

Winterfolk XX Confirms Lineup

Toronto's blues & roots fest moves online with free sets by Sue Foley, Shari Ulrich, Lucy Kaplansky, Jack de Keyzer Band, Suzie Vinnick, Ori Dagan and plenty more. By Darryl Sterdan It’s official: To celebrate its...

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Segerini: Don’t believe a Word I Say

Segerini: Don’t believe a Word I Say

Reprinted from issue January 2022 - Toronto’s Annual Winterfolk Blues and Roots Festival has announced it’s 20th annual roster: Sue Foley, Shari Ulrich, Lucy Kaplansky, Mean Mary, Jack de Keyzer Band, Robert Priest, Jerome...

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Toronto’s Annual Winterfolk Blues and Roots Festival Confirms 20th Linue

20TH WINTERFOLK BLUES AND ROOTS FESTIVAL

20TH ANNUAL WINTERFOLK BLUES AND ROOTS FESTIVAL: SUE FOLEY, JULIAN TAYLOR, ORI DAGAN + MORE PERFORM FEBRUARY 18-20 FREE ONLINE Reprinted from ORCA - Your Arts and Entertainment News Source - It’s official: Celebrating its...

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Winterfolk Blues and Roots Festival Feb 18-20

Winterfolk Blues and Roots Festival Feb 18-20

Reprinted from Blues Festival Guide, Jan. 2022 - TORONTO, CANADA – Celebrating its landmark 20th year presenting the finest sounds around, Toronto’s Winterfolk Blues and Roots Festival added award-winning guitarist and...

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Music Digest

Music Digest

– It is unfortunate that the 20th anniversary of Toronto’s important annual Winterfolk Blues and Roots Festival has to be held online, but organisers have curated an impressive list of performers. It includes...

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Winterfolk 2022 Announced

Winterfolk 2022 Announced

Reprinted from Live Ontario Music Many of the musicians that look forward to performing during Winterfolk are the kind of people that Live Music Ontario was built to serve. If you can attend any of the places where they...

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Winterfolk Returns With Streamed Performances

Winterfolk Returns With 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...

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Julian Taylor

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...

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Jack de Keyzer

Jack de Keyzer

Jack will be playing a rare solo set at Winterfolk XIX.  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...

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Ken Whiteley

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...

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Laura Fernandez

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...

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Melanie Peterson

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...

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Mandy Goodhandy

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...

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Donné Roberts

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...

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Diana Braithwaite and Chris Whiteley

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...

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Ariana Gillis

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...

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Suzie Vinnick

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...

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Q & A – Tony Quarrington and Zoey Adams

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,...

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Sue and Dwight

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...

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Paige Rutledge

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...

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Kate Mallen

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’...

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Yan-Nick Michaud

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...

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Just Jillian

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...

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Winterfolk Blues & Roots Festival

Winterfolk Blues & Roots Festival

Reprinted with Thanks from Live Music Ontario   Toronto’s Winterfolk Blues and Roots Music Festival is on Brunswick Ave (Near Spadina and Bloor) in Toronto Feb. 21-24, 2020. It’s an  all-ages,...

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Winterfolk Artists

Winterfolk Artists

Winterfolk XVIII presents a stellar line up of artists this year. Check out the performers list. 

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Wristbands

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...

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The Queen Street Cowboys

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...

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Ken Whiteley

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...

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Toronto’s 18th Annual Winterfolk Blues and Roots Festival

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...

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FYI Music Digest

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...

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Toronto’s 18th Annual Winterfolk Blues and Roots Festival

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...

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Winterfolk Artists

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...

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Collette Savard and the Savants

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...

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Kevin Breit

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...

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Suzanne Jarvie

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...

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Soozi Schlanger

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'...

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Sonic Peach Music

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...

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Swamperella

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...

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Brian Blain

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...

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Ben Sures

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...

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Donné Roberts

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....

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Steve Raiken

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,...

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Mike McKenna

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...

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Sue & Dwight

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...

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D’Arcy Wickham & Son

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...

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Mr. Rick

Mr. Rick

Mr. Rick is a Singer and fingerstyle acoustic guitarist performing original arrangements of the Trad. American Roots and Blues Song book. A solo album by Rick is coming any minute now Rick’s 3rd CD “Songs about God and...

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Melanie Peterson

Melanie Peterson

New Single #1 from upcoming EP will be out in Jan/Feb/Mar 2020, Single #2, from album + full album Apr/May/Jun 2020! For over ten years, Melanie Peterson has been entertaining fans, near and far, with her cheerful, lively,...

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Sebastian Agnello

Sebastian Agnello

A 52 year veteran of the Canadian music scene. Seb is a scathing, hilarious, politically incorrect but always entertaining performer. Since his band, “The Lords Of London”, topped the Canadian Charts when he was just 14...

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Gathering Sparks

Gathering Sparks

Winner, Folk Music Ontario 2019 “Songs From the Heart” Award, Singer-Songwriter; New CD "All That's Real" Released Sept 2019 Uplifting folk-roots music with divine harmonies. You will come to listen, and walk away singing....

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Lynn Miles

Lynn Miles

Great Canadian Singer/songwriter with a Juno Award and 6 Canadian Folk Music awards Lynn is a Singer / songrwiter with 900 songs 14 albums and thousands of roads travelled.  Lynn Miles is one of Canada’s most...

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Laura Fernandez

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 was born in Madrid, Spain and immigrated to Canada as a young girl after...

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Sam Broverman

Sam Broverman

New CD Released November 2018 - A Jewish Boy's Christmas Toronto based jazz singer, former chorister on CBC's "Hymn Sing" Sam Broverman is a Winnipeg-born, Toronto based jazz singer and songwriter. He has performed in...

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Noah Zacharin

Noah Zacharin

Noah Zacharin is an acknowledged guitar master and literate songwriter with 7 CD’s of original music and countless appearances on stage and CD, supporting many of the best in town and beyond. Noah Zacharin is an exciting...

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Kyp Harness

Kyp Harness

Kyp Harness has released 15 albums of his songs. He has opened for Elvis Costello and has his songs covered by Ron Sexsmith and Mary Margaret O'Hara. Kyp Harness has released 15 albums of his songs and published two novels....

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Saije

Saije

Folk Alliance Australia 'Young Artist of the Year 2019/20', New CD Released 2019 Saiji is a multi-instrumental folk duo whose soulful harmonies, dynamic guitar-lines and percussive breakdowns breathe life into...

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Danny Marks

Danny Marks

Star of stage screen and radio, award winning musician, broadcaster singer songwriter. Danny Mark's roots go back to 1960's Capitol records band, Edward Bear. Danny Marks is a Toronto Blues Society's Blues with a Feeling...

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Howard Gladstone

Howard Gladstone

Howard Gladstone unveils new songs on climate crisis, modern and ancient exiles, remembering Woodstock, and other urgent topics. Howard Gladstone asks: Are songs the front line in a world where beauty, truth and...

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David McLachlan

David McLachlan

New CD Released August 2019 An artist who sings songs In The Heart Of Now.  David is a prolific performing songwriter with 7 albums released, and one coming next Aug 2020-he has recorded 5 albums in Nashville with...

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Taylor Abrahamse

Taylor Abrahamse

Debut Album Produced With Eddie Kramer, Pre-Order Available Now. Taylor Abrahamse is a Toronto singer/songwriter. Co-founder of Silverthorn Studios, he has played across Ontario and wowed crowds with songs he wrote for his...

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Wendell Ferguson

Wendell Ferguson

Award winning guitarist, songwriter, instrumentalist, humorist and 'all-round idiot' joins the Winterfolk Cast! He's won awards for his guitar playing, his films and his albums. And his shows are crazy, only one thing is...

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Lynn Harrison

Lynn Harrison

Lynn Harrison returns with "Something More," acclaimed new solo release. An inspiring artist with songs of uncommon beauty, integrity and spiritual insight, Lynn Harrison returns to Winterfolk following the release of her...

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Diana Braithwaite & Chris Whiteley

Diana Braithwaite & Chris Whiteley

9 time Maple Blues Award winners , New CD released 2019 Hot blues and cool jazz with Diana's memorable voice and Chris' multi-instrumental virtuosity.  Multi award winning duo, Diana Braithwaite and Chris Whiteley have...

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Bill Heffernan

Bill Heffernan

Latest CD Release 2016--The Horses Are Loose; Co-Founder Alive Poets Society (1987-2000 ) BILL HEFFERNAN is a Singer-Songwriter, Story Telling, Spoken Word Artist, MC, Auctioneer, and Social Activist Teacher. From the...

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Wayne Neon

Wayne Neon

Songs you've heard too many times, but not lately. Wayne Neon is the illegitimate love child of Bob Dylan and Duke Ellington. Memorable melodies, clever lyrics, rich voices, and solid rhythms are his hang-ups. His laser...

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Ori Dagan

Ori Dagan

"Nathaniel: A Tribute to Nat King Cole" Silver Medal, Best Album, Global Music Awards '17; "Sweetheart" Best Jazz Song American Songwriting Awards '18 Award-winning   Award-winning jazz singer, songwriter and recording...

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Clela Errington

Clela Errington

“Clela has it all and she showcases her talents effortlessly, beautiful, spiritual, and earthy.” Fatea Records UK Clela Errington has a voice that is timeless and true, effortlessly reaching beyond technique and trends to...

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Faith Nolan

Faith Nolan

Afro Scotian Music Award, Chalmers Award, Honored Dyke(Toronto Pride), Recipient, Ontario Federation Labour Cultural Activist Award Faith Nolan a Queer Afro Scotian singer-songwriter and self-taught musician,folk singer ,...

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Jerome Tucker Band

Jerome Tucker Band

Winner Durham vocalist of the year 2011, CBC Song of the week Oct 2016, CBC sounds of the season 2016 JTB is a wickedly talented group of musicians delivering funk, soul and a blistering brand of rhythm and blues. Jerome...

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