What's New At Winterfolk
A Brief History of Winterfolk through News and MediaWinterfolk’s Most Recent News Will Always Appear on This Page
Barbara Lynch
Will You Ever Care for Me, Last CD released in 2009 and gained attention of the Cowboy Junkies and a place with their label Latent Records.
Barbara Lynch is a Toronto based singer songwriter. Her music has strong blues, old style jazz rhythms and boogie woogie piano influences.
Heather Luckhart
Blues-infused music with a message Heather Luckhart brings her life experiences and endurance into every musical moment. Luckhart’s connection to the blues is one she has earned. Her passion for the music community connects...
David Storey
A SONG WRITER AS QUINTESSENTIALLY CANDIAN AS MAPLE SYRUP AND ICE STORMS BeatRoute magazine: “David Storey and the side Road Scholars effortlessly bring the boot stomping, sing along energy when the time is right, but also...
Jack de Keyzer
Jack de Keyzer, 2X Juno, 7X Maple Blues Winner, International blues guitarist, singer & song writer. Jack de Keyzer plays the blues world wide. One of Canada’s most awarded and in demand blues guitarists he has released...
Jon Brooks & The Outskirts Of Approval
“Brooks’ massive declamatory vibe and hypnotic, inimitable guitar playing gives an audience goosebumps you could grate cheese on.” - Paul Corby, 2019. A machine gun of sincerity saving us from the healers of sadness and...
Terry Jones
Singer-songwriter, poet and performer, tempered by the 60s-a beatnic hippy radical imbued with lots of mirth apparently. (Image not available at time of posting) Singer-songwriter, poet and performer, tempered by the 60s-a...
The Layrite Boys
The Layrite Boys, Self titled EP released, 2017. Stay tuned for the full length LP record! Toronto's Old-time Country Duo. The new-old stock country sounds of The Layrite Boys hearken back to the Golden Age of country and...
Isaak Bonk
Isaak is the Subject of 'Waiting in the Street' - A documentary by Shane Pendergast Isaak Bonk is a Toronto born musician, he plays a mixture of his his own compositions and pre-war/ folk revival era country blues and...
James Gordon
40th album "The Heritage Hall Sessions" released 2019. New one-man Show "James Gordon's Emergency Climate" Musical touring now. Veteran Canadian Songworker and Poetician. James Gordon is a Canadian...
Meg Tennant
New CD Echoed Light released in Spring 2019 Folk roots songwriter Meg Tennant's new CD Echoed Light offers up some hope, comfort and clarity. Originally from Northern Ontario, songwriter Meg Tennant is currently based...
Glen Hornblast
Glen Hornblast is an award-winning Toronto songwriter, well-known to the Toronto folk community. Glen Hornblast is a well-known Toronto singer-songwriter whose music is an intoxicating blend of folk, country, blues and...
VK Artist Promotion
Since 2013, VK Artist Promotion & Bookings has been working with talented artists across the GTA, supporting the live music scene in the city. VK offers live music entertainment, for any event or party, to help create...
Seneca College Music Program
Seneca College’s music programs offer a unique educational opportunity to a select group of creative musicians. The intensive, hands-on curriculum, taught by some of Canada’s top music professionals, provides the students...
Brampton Folk Club
The Brampton Folk Club is a nonprofit community group dedicated to promoting folk music in the Brampton area. We have been around for 22 years and have over 50 members from all over the GTA. We hold monthly song circles,...
NSAI Toronto
NSAI Toronto has been part of the local songwriting community since 1992. NSAI Toronto has supported songwriters through monthly seminars on the art of songwriting and music industry education. They also provide...
Alfie Smith & Nicole Christian
Award-winning slide guitar duo, 2018 IBC contestants, Hamilton-based songwriters and multi-instrumentalists Alfie Smith and Nicole Christian are old-style slide guitarists, multi-instrumentalists and a blues duo not to be...
Winterfolk Accommodation at Reduced Rate
Reduced Accommodation Rate with Promo Code Hotel Discounts are available to Winterfolk guests at The Annex Hotel, which is one of our venues. Attentive design and unparalleled comfort is what you can expect at the Annex....
Winterfolk Has a New Home
Presenting Winterfolk XVIII Feb 21, 22, 23, 2020
How Winterfolk XVII helped Paul Corby get through another winter weekend
By Paul Corby Feb 26, 2019, as printed in Roots Music Canada Magazine - A rousing carousel of song spun everything from simple roots folk to visceral blues scorchers past an audience of musical tourists this past weekend on...
Blues and Roots Radio on Winterfolk XVII
Reprinted from Roots and Blues Radio - I have been attending this event since I came to Canada ten years ago, In the past I have been a volunteer running the stage at the Black Swan Pub ( Upstairs ) and in recent years have...
Toronto Born Singer/Songwriter returns for Winterfolk
Ruth Schweitzer - Special to The CJN - Lynda Marks Kraar’s parents, both Holocaust survivors, were distressed when they saw their artistic, only child, now an ace guitarist, was preoccupied with music rather...
Jerome Tucker Band
Cd released 2016 "Still on Fire" Winner song of the week CBC Here and Now 99.1FM CBC Sounds of the Season Host band 2016 We are a funky R&B soul band with a blistering groove. Jerome Tucker band is a blistering funky,...
Winterfolk Festival Comes to Danforth
Reprinted from Danforth BIA Website ANNOUNCES FULL LINEUP FEBRUARY 22-24, 2019 www.winterfolk.com WHO: Donné Roberts, Jack de Keyzer, Gary Kendall Band, Mose Scarlett,Cassie & Maggie, Moscow...
Chloe Watkinson – This Is Our Time
Reprinted from FYI Jan 25, 2019 - Chloe Watkinson: "This Is Our Time" (Aporia): This Toronto singer is gradually making inroads with the tracks she has been releasing over the past year, now spinning on 200+ radio stations...
Winterfolk XVII Announces Full Artist Line Up
FEBRUARY 22-24, 2019 www.winterfolk.com WHO: Donné Roberts, Mose Scarlett, Cassie & Maggie,Moscow Apartment, James Gordon, Ken Whiteley, Danny Marks, The Lifers, Tragedy Ann, David Storey, Ori Dagan,Chloe...
The Blues of Winterfolk Tickets On Sale
Co Presented by The Toronto Blues Society
Scarborough teaser show a taste of Winterfolk tonight
Reprinted from Toronto Moon Magazine Jan 19, 2019, by Beverly Kreller - Festival-goers will have a chance to get a sneak preview of what’s in store at the 17th ANNUAL WINTERFOLK BLUES AND ROOTS...
Preview the Winterfolk Blues and Roots Festival this weekend in Scarborough
Reprinted from Roots Music Canada Jan 18, 2019 - Music fans will have a chance to get a sneak preview of what’s in store at the 17th annual Winterfolk Blues and Roots Festival when some of the finest folk, roots and blues...
Winterfolk Volunteer Meet Up Jan 19
The Winterfolk Blues an Roots Music Festival will be back at Danforth and Broadview February 22- 24, 2019. We are looking for volunteers to help out over the weekend so if you want to get involved and hear some great live...
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...
Extended – Save 40% on Advance Winterfolk Wristbands Till Jan 31
Save on advanced wristband orders, as the price will be higher at the door. Order now and save!
Winterfolk XVII Preview Jan 19
Reprinted From Music News Digest - Acoustic Harvest hosts a Winterfolk Blues and Roots Festival preview concert in Scarborough on Jan. 19 at St. Paul’s United Church, 200 McIntosh St. The event showcases...
Winterfolk XVII Blues & Roots Festial
Reprinted from NOW Magazine - The 17th annual festival takes place at three venues and four stages in the Danforth area. This all-ages, mid-winter, weatherproof event features urban, blues, rock, jazz,...
Winterfolk Preview at Acoustic Harvest Jan 19
Acoustic Harvest + Winterfolk Blues & Roots Festival Present: Winterfolk XVII Preview - Saturday, January 19 - St. Paul's United Church, 200 McIntosh St. Scarborough, ON - Doors 7:30pm | Music 8: For Immediate...
Gary Kendall Band
The 9th Annual Maple Blues Awards, Bassist Of The Year, Phoenix Concert Theatre, Toronto Everyone knows Gary Kendall as oft-elected Maple Blues’ Bassist of the Year, blues man about town and keeper of the bottom end...
Jon Brooks
No One Travels Alone (Borealis/2018), is first example in popular music of an album written and recorded in circular, 'corona' form. 4 x Nominee 'Songwriter of the Year' (2007/2009/2012/2014) @ The Canadian Folk Music...
Alfie Smith
Representing Western new York Blues Society in Memphis at the International Blues Challenge Guitar Blues Slide singer songwriter "Hamilton is blessed with a wealth of great blues guitarists. None is better than...
Acoustic Harvest hosts Winterfolk Blues and Roots Festival preview concert in Scarborough
Acoustic Harvest and Winterfolk XVII Blues & Roots Festival are teaming up to present the Winterfolk XVII Preview and Benefit Concert on Saturday, Jan. 19 at St. Paul’s United Church, 200 McIntosh St., in Scarborough....
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 Toronto born Mike McKenna...
David McLachlan
Performing songwriter who has recorded four albums of original song. Latest album "Traveling Truthfully" available Dec 1/2016. Honourable Mention for Songwriting-Bandwars...
For King & Country
Songs about Canadians in the First World War, by Tony Quarrington For King and Country will feature Toronto musician-composer Tony Quarrington’s new CD about Canadians and their contributions during the First World War. The...
Jack de Keyzer
2 X Juno Award Winner 7 X Maple Blues Award Winner Jack de Keyzer is a 2 X Juno (Canada’s Grammy) and 7X Maple Blues award winning artist, blues guitarist, singer, song writer and producer and one of the finest blues...
Alana and Leigh Cline
Alana & Leigh Cline are a Toronto based Celtic fiddle/guitar instrumental duo who combine Irish, Cape Breton and Scottish styles to create their own sound. Irish, Scottish and Cape Breton Traditional Fiddle & Guitar...
Danny Marks
Danny Marks is a genre bending stage performer who can blend music and humor seamlessly, with style and authenticity. star of stage screen and radio holder of the Maple Blues Award for Lifetime Achievement Celebrated...
Lynn Harrison
One of the Toronto music scene’s enduring treasures, Lynn Harrison writes songs that speak to the heart and inspire audiences of all ages Also an ordained Unitarian minister Releasing her sixth recording in 2019 Host of...
Roger Clown
Roger Clown has been performing for five decades successfully, in a variety of group and solo offerings, live and electronically, for audiences of all sizes, social standing, ages, genders, and abilities. happily. Roger...
Chloe Watkinson
With a solid music education and a rich performance history (including at Preservation Hall and leading a brass band in New Orleans, and playing regional clubs and festivals in Canada and the US) Chloe launched her solo...
Brian Gladstone
Brian Gladstone is an analogue techno-hippie trapped in a digital world. Gladstone's five albums have all gained worldwide acclaim and global airplay. Brian Gladstone is the founder and active festival director for...
Maggie & Mr. Rogers
Maggie & Mr. Rogers put a fresh spin on Folk and Jazz standards, with a repertoire that spans decades. "Maggie & Mr. Rogers Make Jazz and Folk Belong Together" — Gary 17 - Publisher, Toronto Moon Magazine...
Emilyn Stam and John David Williams
Emilyn Stam and John David Williams merge the melodic voices of violin and clarinet, with a touch of accordion, creating a modern, playful sound steeped in traditions from regions of Europe and North America....
Alessia Cohle
With several tours across the country, being a part of the CCMA house band, and receiving numerous awards, Alessia Cohle’s love for all styles of music has helped her define and create her own unique sound, joining the...
STAV
Winner, Folk Alliance Australia 'Young Artist of the Year' 2018 Debut Canada national tour February 2019 including official showcase at FAI 'The Horizon Line' CD released 2016, 2 singles released in 2018 The 2018 Folk...
Q & A
Their first two gigs were in a bookstore and a barbershop. Tony Quarrington and Zoey Adams They wrote 50 songs in our first year of co-composing. With a combined hundred years of professional work, they are poised to...
Lynda Kraar
Original songs and songs inspired from the soundtrack of my life. Performer, Musicians on Call (NYC) Award-winning author of short stories and poetry Fronts the Palisades All-Star Revue: An American Music Experience Lynda...
Sue and Dwight
Songwriters, singers, musicologists, authors, advocates, activists Socially conscious contemporary folk music with a few twists Creators of Canada’s only tribute to the 60’s folk revival, 'Where Have All the Folk Songs...
Tony Quarrington
Juno Award Winning Producer for Willie P. Bennett's HEARTSTRINGS (1998) Latest album is FOR KING AND COUNTRY, new songs about Canada in WW1. One of the most appreciated tributes to my work was Winterfolk's album SONGS...
Mark the Dates Winterfolk XVII – Feb 22-24, 2019
Winterfolk XVII Festival News Dec 18, 2018 Winterfolk XVII Blues and Roots Festival Mark the Dates - Winterfolk XVII Feb 22-24, 2019 Be sure to mark your calendars for the 17th Annual...
Sammy Duke
New CD "Terminus" Released July 2018 Three time JUNO-nominated percussionist One-man-band and folk fusion songwriter - performing on eight instruments simultaneously! You would never be able to mistake one-man-band Sammy...
Steve Raiken
Steve Raiken is appreciated by audiences as a very talented singer/songwriter and acoustic guitarist Steve Raiken has been playing guitar and singing for 50 years. As a student at the University of Buffalo in the late...
Simone Morris
New original jazz album "Settling Up" released November 2018 hit #1 on iTunes Canada Jazz Chart in its first week Toronto jazz vocalist SIMONE MORRIS exudes a rare blend of soulfulness and subtlety - a natural storyteller...
The Barrel Boys
New Album, Cold Spring, Released 2017 A 5-piece bluegrass powerhouse featuring rich vocal harmonies, killer picking, and a fun-loving, down-to-earth stage presence, The Barrel Boys are a unique staple of the Toronto music...
Doris Folkens
Winner, Songs from the Heart Contest 2017 Debut Album Released 2018 Doris Folkens is developing a reputation in Canada's music scene as a storyteller, reviving tales of past generations with old-time inspired folk and...
Ken Yoshioka
2nd solo CD released in 2012 Featured in independent documentary film "Harmonica Man From Japan"2006 Ken Yoshioka sings blues, plays guitar and harmonica with soul. Ken Yoshioka is a Toronto based blues singer/songwriter,...
Ori Dagan
Critically Acclaimed New Album: “Nathaniel: A Tribute to Nat King Cole” Winner, “Best Album” Silver Medal at the Global Music Awards Award-winning singer, songwriter and recording artist Ori Dagan is taking jazz to new and...
David Storey and the Side Road Scholars
David Storey is excited to announce the release of his new album "made in Canada" which continues the pattern established on two previous releases of wry wit and penetrating insights about life’s challenges, characters and...
James Gordon
About to release his 40th album "Heritage Sessions" Composer of "Frobisher Bay" which has become a Canadian classic with over 100 covers worldwide Co-founder of legendary folk trio Tamarack, Guelph-based James Gordon has...
Mark The Dates WFXVII – Feb 22-24, 2019
WINTERFOLK XVII BLUES & ROOTS FESTIVAL FEBRUARY 22-24, 2019 WHO: Some of the best blues & roots artists on the Canadian music scene today WHAT: The 17th Annual Winterfolk...
Mr. Rick
Mr. Rick was one of the featured performers in "The Harry Smith Anthology, tribute to American Folk Music" Singer, guitarist, and player of old time Roots Americana, Mr. Rick (aka Rick Zolkower) was born in post war...
Bywater
Winner, 2018 Toronto Blues Society Talent Search the TD Toronto Jazz Festival Winner, 2017 Merriam Emerging Artist at the TD Oakville Songs of Summer Winner of the 2018 Toronto Blues Society Talent search at the TD...
Tragedy Ann
Winner, Songs from the Heart 2018 (Blues Category) Winner, Songs from the Heart 2018 (Humorous Category) New Full Length, "Matches", released September 2018 The award-winning music of Guelph folk duo...
Brian Blain
Slow-cooked, solid-groove folk blues - soulful, thoughtful and always entertaining. His highly original blues-based repertoire earned him the coveted Porcupine "Golden Quill" Award in 2005 Brian Blain, a mainstay of the...
Cassie and Maggie
2018 JUNO nominees, Nova Scotian sisters Cassie and Maggie have been lighting up the world with their blend of traditional and original Celtic roots music. 2018 JUNO nominees for Root/Trad album of the Year. 2017...
Moscow Apartment
Winner, Slaight Music It's Your Shot Competition, 2018, Canadian Songwriting Competition (Under 18) Winner, Best Young Songwriter Independent Music Awards, 2017, Winner, Best Young Songwriter Canadian Folk Music Award 2017...
Donné Roberts
2 Time Juno Award Winner New CD Released in November 2018 Donné Roberts' music make winter feels like summer. The rhythm will make you dance and the melodies will make you sing along. The music is mainly in Malagasy the...
Dan McKinnon
2017 Toronto Blues Society Talent Search Winner 2017 Amy Louie Grossman's Scholarship Winner Toronto-based blues/rock guitarist Dan McKinnon has been working hard to establish himself as a Canadian Blues artist on the rise....
Howard Gladstone
Toronto singer-songwriter Howard Gladstone released Hourglass—his fifth album of original contemporary folk/roots music in the U.S.A. on June 15, 2018 Howard Gladstone shares emotion and meaning in his songwriting and...
Margaret Stowe
Guitarist Margaret Stowe will appear at Winterfolk! Guitarist Margaret Stowe has been playing jazz, jazz-blues and other styles for several decades, performing and recording with a variety of Canadian and international...
Noah Zacharin
Guitar Master, Writer of Deeply-felt, Literate Songs, and Dynamic Performer Noah Zacharin is an acknowledged guitar master, writer of literate and deeply-felt songs, and dynamic and ever-evolving performer. He has released...
The Lifers
Nominee, Canadian Folk Music Awards: Emerging Artist of the Year, 2018 The Lifers, led by sisters Liv and Anita Cazzola, are an art-folk/rock collective from Guelph, Ontario. Their intertwined voices dynamically convey...
Evaristo Machado
Evaristo: Cuban Trovador Evaristo is a multi-talented singer, songwriter and guitarist. His CD, "Siempre Que Llueve… (After the Rain)" is available on iTunes, and features some of Toronto’s best Canadian and Cuban...
D’Arcy Wickham
With a career spanning over 4 decades and with credits that include ...guitarist for the Ian Thomas Band , Polydor Recording and touring Artist, award winning songwriter D'Arcy Wickham looks forward to the release of his...
Wayne Neon
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 focused folk, jazz, blues, rock, skiffle, country,...
Black Suit Devil
Black Suit Devil Singer/Songwriter Andy Du Rego took his years of experience in the Blues & Rock scenes as a guitarist and has fused it with his life experiences to breathe life into the Black Suit Devil project. An...
Glen Hornblast
Glen Hornblast is a well-known Toronto singer-songwriter whose music is an intoxicating blend of folk, country, blues and jazz. His latest CD “Once In A Blue Moon” has been very well-received and has garnered great reviews...
Sebastian Agnello
Seb is a protest singer. Scathing, hilarious, politically incorrect and always entertaining. Seb is a protest singer. Scathing, hilarious, politically incorrect and always...
Norm Lucien
Harpin’ Norm Lucien walked into a kitchen jam in a pub in downtown Toronto, joined in on harmonica and quickly found himself in the embrace of the Toronto music community! Gradually playing...
Winterfolk XVII Preview & Benefit Dec 8, 2018
Winterfolk Blues & Roots Festival Presents Winterfolk XVII Preview & Benefit WHO: David Storey, & The Side Road Scholars, HOTCHA!,Chloe Watkinson, Tony Quarrington, Brian Gladstone,...
Join the Winterfolk Team
We welcome your application. Join with other members of the community to help us make a difference. Though our annual showcase event is the Winterfolk festival in February, our work is ongoing. We appreciate the help of...
Brampton Folk Club
The Brampton Folk Club holds monthly song circles on the 1st Monday of every month, from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Bring your instrument! We also present two concert series, hosts open mics and participate in a variety of...
Casa Loma guitarist strikes a chord for Winterfolk festival
Rick Zolkower talks performing, coming to Canada and his future album February 19, 2018 Brian Baker Americana, musician, Rick Zolkower, Winterfolk Reprinted from Streeter - The fallout from...
WINTERFOLK XVI PREVIEW & BENEFIT @ HUGH’S ROOM, TORONTO
January 21, 2018 - Reprinted from Spill Magazine Last year, Hugh’s Room announced it was closing its doors. Like many fans, I waited with bated breath, sorry to see yet another beloved Toronto venue cease to exist....
Winterfolk XVI by Cashbox Magazine
Submitted by Lenny Stoute The 16th Annual Winterfolk Blues and Roots Festival,taking place in Toronto February 16-18, 2018, is set to present the best of urban, blues, rock, jazz, country, folk and roots music, and...
WINTERFOLK XVI ANNOUNCES FULL LINEUP – FEBRUARY 16-18, 2018
Reprinted from Spill Magazine - The 16th Annual Winterfolk Blues and Roots Festival, taking place in Toronto February 16-18, 2018, is set to present the best of urban, blues, rock, jazz, country, folk and roots music, and...
WINTERFOLK XVI PREVIEW & BENEFIT
Reprinted from Spill Magazine - by Elizabeth Andrews Jan 29, 2018 - Last year, Hugh’s Room announced it was closing its doors. Like many fans, I waited with bated breath, sorry to see yet another beloved Toronto venue...
Jessica Wedden
Jessica Wedden is a 15 year old fiddler, trick fiddler, step dancer, composer and 2016 Canadian Folk Music Award nominee with an upbeat Celtic and East Coast repertoire, who thoroughly enjoys any opportunity to share her...
Sabrina Soares
Girl-next-door with swag. Nerd-cool. Guitar prodigy with heart. Debut EP 'Plan A', Released 2016. "Best Vocalist" Winner at Emergenza Band Competition Grand Finals,...
Steve Raiken
Steve Raiken is a highly regarded singer/songwriter and acoustic guitarist. Acclaimed singer/songwriter and guitarist with signficant radio airplay of 2010 CD. Steve Raiken...
Ori Dagan
Toronto jazz singer-songwriter Ori Dagan takes jazz to exciting new places. Critically Acclaimed New Album: "Nathaniel: A Tribute to Nat King Cole" (2017). Winner, "Best...