An obvious uniqueness that identifies and sets apart Blackburn Brothers is that they are a band of brothers - literally. Duane (lead vocals, organ, piano), Brooke (guitar, vocals, writing), and Cory (drums, harmony vocals). Oldest brother Robert (guitar, vocal harmonies, writing), and cousin Nathan (bass guitar) can be heard as session players in the latest production of the new release of SoulFunkn'BLUES (fall 2023). All share the Blackburn name, which has become synonymous with Toronto's music history, and their unique familial bond sets them apart in the music industry.

The horn section of the band is comprised of long-time bandmates Neil Brathwaite on tenor saxophone and Ted Peters on trombone. Touring bass guitar is Andrew Stewart. Musically, the Blackburn name has been forever imprinted in our ears by Bobby Dean Blackburn, a veteran R&B artist who gained legendary status in the Toronto music scene, performing the city circuit for over 60 years.

Beyond the music, other history runs deep. The Blackburn Brothers are 4th-generation Canadians, descended of freedom seekers through the Underground Railroad and settling in Southern Ontario. The Blues that the Blackburn Brothers create is part of their inheritance, and always about a message of history, freedom, legacy, family, black unity, and love. The SoulFunkn’Blues album is a tribute to all the trailblazers, all of the ancestors and forgotten tribes who taught the Blackburn Brothers the importance of history, blues, soul, groove, rhythm and life. It is a tribute to 230 years of Canadian Roots and Blues.

Blackburn Brothers received the 2024 JUNO Awards nomination for BLUES ALBUM OF THE YEAR on their recently released album SoulFunkn’BLUES. The JUNO Awards are awards presented by the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences to recognize outstanding achievements in Canada's music industry.

This JUNO nomination is in addition to three 2024 (BMAs) BLUES MUSIC AWARD nominations from The Blues Foundation for: Album of The Year, Soul Blues Album of the Year, and Song of the Year (a new precedent from a Canadian band). The American Blues Music Awards brings together Blues performers, industry representatives, and fans from all over the world to celebrate the best in Blues recordings and performances.

Blackburn Brothers received several 2024 MAPLE BLUES AWARDS. Considered the highest honours on the Canadian Blues scene, Blackburn Brothers collectively earned a record-setting nine nominations in the upcoming 27th Annual Maple Blues Awards including: Entertainer of the Year, Electric Act of the Year, Songwriter of the Year, Recording of the Year, Producer of the Year (Howard Ayee), Male Vocalist of the Year (Brooke Blackburn), Guitarist of the Year (Brooke Blackburn), Piano/Keyboard Player of the Year (Duane Blackburn), Drummer of the Year (Cory Blackburn), Bassist of the Year (Nathan Blackburn). Additionally, their father Bobby Dean Blackburn has been nominated for Blues With A Feeling/Lifetime Achievement Award.

The Blackburn Brother's latest album SoulFunkn'BLUES has lead to several international music reviews, and blues music magazines features and covers. More details on this can be found in the NEWS section.

In 2023 Blackburn Brothers were inducted into the Canada South Blues Society Hall of Fame.

Previous achievements include Blackburn Brothers receiving a 2016 JUNO Award nomination for BLUES ALBUM OF THE YEAR and in 2010 they were the Maple Blues Award Winner for BEST NEW BAND. The band has collectively received multiple Maple Blues Award nominations for Electronic Act of the Year in 2024, 2022, Drummer of the Year (Cory Blackburn) in 2024, 2022, 2020, and Piano/Keyboard Player of the Year (Duane Blackburn) in 2024, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2017, 2015.

Making a name as the biggest breakthrough artists on the international Americana scene in 2021 with their debut album Go By Feel, Canadian country/roots collective, The Hello Darlins are gearing up to return with an even more ambitious collection of material for 2023.

Led by Romani-Canadian musician, Candace Lacina and world-renowned Keyboardist Mike Little, The Hello Darlins are some of Canada’s most in-demand session musicians who came together to forge a distinct hybrid of country, gospel and blues. In keeping with their spirit of collaboration, The Hello Darlins will again feature many other friends and guests, a trait that has lead the band to earn the reputation as “a rootsy version of Broken Social Scene.” 

“There has always been a unique spirit that has infused the music of Sam Roberts Band, which is comprised of guitarist and vocalist Sam Roberts, lead guitarist Dave Nugent, keyboardist Eric Fares, bassist James Hall, and drummer Josh Trager. It’s highlighted by melodies that are infectious, lyrics that are deep and somewhat enigmatic, but memorable, and a live show that just plain rocks. The music of Sam Roberts Band isn’t always easy to categorize either. It’s been often lumped in with other alternative or alternative rock bands, but there is also a substantial 1980s melodic rock vibe, mixed in with the best of 1990s Brit Pop.” (Jim Barber)

Canadian singer-songwriter Sam Roberts released his debut EP The Inhuman Condition in 2002, following a popular independent demo recording of Brother Down he had made at home. Born in Montreal, QC to South African immigrants, he had been a violin player, surrounded by a vast range of musical influences, who eventually moved on to guitar and started a rock band with friends. The Inhuman Condition became the best-selling independent EP in Canadian history and included a re-recorded version of Brother Down and the chart topper Don’t Walk Away Eileen.

 In 2003 he released his first full-length album, We Were Born in a Flame. Where Have All The Good People Gone and Hard Road became hit singles across radio and video charts. The Certified Double-Platinum selling album was a huge hit in Canada and won the Juno Award for Album of the Year, Rock Album of the Year, and Artist of the Year. Roberts continued to release hit albums: Platinum-certified Chemical City in 2006 and Goldcertified Love At The End Of The World in 2008, the latter winning Junos for Artist of The Year, and Rock Album of the Year. For the 2011 release of Collider, Roberts changed the artist billing from using his name to using Sam Roberts Band.

In 2014, Lo-Fantasy was released to great acclaim. Lead single We’re All In This Together reached the top of both Canadian rock radio charts, followed by Top 10 hits Human Heat and Shapeshifters. In 2016, TerraForm‘s lead Single If You Want It reached #2 at both rock radio charts. This sixth studio album was nominated for the Rock Album Of the Year at the 2017 Juno Awards. To fan acclaim, We Were Born In A Flame Deluxe Edition, was released in 2018, which included previously unreleased tracks on Three LPs and CDs. The original release reigns #94 on Billboards’ Top 150 Overall Canadian Albums (by album sales).

In 2018, Sam Roberts joined Chris Murphy (Sloan), Menno Veerstag (Hollerado), and Dave Monks (Tokyo Police Club) to form the band, Anyway Gang. Their September 2019 debut single, Big Night was written by Roberts and spent 26 weeks on the Canadian Rock charts, peaking at #6. The track reached #1 on the Alternative chart and was awarded a Socan #1 Award. Their self-tilted album Anyway Gang followed on November 29, 2019 On October 16, 2021, Sam Roberts Band released their seventh studio album All Of Us, amidst the global pandemic to critical acclaim. It was an album that came to fruition after three years of writing. Ascension, the first single, reached #7 on Rock Radio, while All Of Us spent three weeks at #1 at CBC Radio. The third single Take Me Away reached #3 at Rock and #2 at Alternative radio. On March 1, 2023 Sam Roberts Band released Picture of Love, the first single from their upcoming eighth studio album (as yet untitled).

Sam Roberts is #59 on Billboard’s Top 150 Overall Selling Canadian Artists. Sam Roberts Band have been nominated for an incredible 14 Junos, winning six along the way and 14 MuchMusic Video Awards, taking home five. Roberts’ songs have long-lasting success across radio and sales. He holds 12 #1 SOCAN Awards. Currently Brother Down is #35 on the Billboard Top 150 Canadian Airplay Songs (All Formats). He holds six spots on the Billboard Top 150 Canadian Airplay Songs (Rock): #3 Brother Down, #12 Where Have All The Good People Gone, #28 Don’t Walk Away Eileen, #67 Hard Road, #90 We’re All In This Together, and #133 Them Kids. Sam Roberts Band continue to deliver their legacy of hit singles to take over the airwaves. Their fiery spirit have made their live shows so legendary, earning them spots performing everywhere from Letterman and Conan, to specialty shows like The Tragically Hip in Bobcaygeon, and major festivals from Bonnaroo to ACL, Lollapalooza, Bumbershoot, The Vancouver Olympics and SARStock, and alongside heroes like The Rolling Stones and AC/DC