Lineup Announced for 30th Annual Women's Blues Revue

For 30 years the Women's Blues Revue has been bringing blues lovers together for an evening honouring the contributions to the genre of some of Canada's finest musicians. Over the years, the Women's Blues revue has brought artists like Serena Ryder, Molly Johnson, Amanda Marshall, Jackie Richardson, Sass Jordan and more together on the stage to celebrate the past, present and future of blues music in Canada.

Massey Hall and the Toronto Blues Society are excited to announce the line-up for the 30th Annual Women's Blues Revue. This year, Sue Foley, Cheryl Lescom, Alanna Stuart, Dione Taylor, Dawn Tyler Watson and Layla Zoe, join the all-star Women's Blues Revue Band featuring Rebecca Hennessy (trumpet/leader and member of the Massey Hall Band), Suzie Vinnick (guitar), Emily Burgess (guitar), Carlie Howell (bass), Morgan Doctor (drums), Colleen Allen (sax), Carrie Chesnutt (sax) and Lily Sazz (keyboards).

About the Artists:

Ottawa's Sue Foley is a (record-holding) seventeen-time Maple Blues Award-winner, as well as the winner of a JUNO, three Trophees de Blues de France and a multiple nominee for the International Blues Music Awards. By twenty-one, she was living in Austin and recording for Antone's, the label and historic nightclub, and she has since worked and shared the stage with BB King, Buddy Guy, Joe Cocker and Tom Petty and many others.
suefoley.com

Cheryl Lescom began performing in several bands in the mid-70s, and was a back-up singer for Ronnie Hawkins and Long John Baldry, the latter of whom said she possesses "one of the best and biggest voices in Canada." She's released five albums, including 2015's 1953 with the Tuscon Choir Boys, and toured and performed with the likes of Jeff Healey, Matt Minglewood, Dutch Mason, the Downchild Blues Band, and David Wilcox.
cheryllescom.com

Former gospel-belting musician Alanna Stuart spent her formative years moving between the Jamaican Pentecostal Church and Toronto's indie scene, inspiring the soulful dancehall sounds of her acclaimed duo Bonjay, creators of bass-heavy future soul. In addition to working with Feist, Little Dragon, and Diplo, Stuart has supported blues and soul luminaries Etta James, John Lee Hooker Jr. and ShaRon Jones & The Dap Kings.
bonjay.net

A pastor's daughter from Saskatchewan, Dione Taylor began playing the organ at age four and at ten was the music director and organist for her Regina church. She first burst onto the music scene with her JUNO-nominated debut album Open Your Eyes, and eventually went on to perform around the world to audiences that have included the President of the United States and Queen Elizabeth II.
dionetaylor.com

UK-born, Ontario-raised and Montreal-based singer-songwriter and actor Dawn Tyler Watson's fiery stage presence has earned her international recognition and the title of Montreal's "Queen of the Blues." She's received multiple awards including three Maple Blues Awards, nine Quebec Lys Blues Awards, a Trophée de Blues de France, and she's shared the stage with Oliver Jones, Jeff Healy, koko Taylor, Susan Tedeschi, Cyndi Lauper and more.
dawntylerwatson.com

Layla Zoe has been called Canada's "darling of the blues" and is often compared to Janis Joplin for her raw and emotional performances. Born in British Columbia, she started singing at an early age, getting her first onstage experience at 14, singing with her father's band. Over the course of nine albums, a book of poetry, and relentless touring, she's earned her reputation as one of the hardest working young blues women in Canada.
layla.ca