News

The Blackburn Brother’s latest album SoulFunkn'BLUES (September 2023) has garnered international acclaim, with reviews and features in several prominent music publications. Additionally, the album has won the American 2024 Blues Blast Music Award for Soul Blues Album of the Year and a nomination for Blues Band of the Year, received three American 2024 Blues Music Awards nominations for Album of The Year, Soul Blues Album of The Year, and Song of The Year (a new precedent from a Canadian band), and a 2024 JUNO Awards nomination for Blues Album of The Year. Considered the highest honours on the Canadian Blues scene, Blackburn Brothers collectively earned a record-setting nine nominations in the 2024 Maple Blues Awards including: Entertainer of the Year and Electric Act of the Year.

Locally the band has received tremendous support and airplay from Canada’s CBC Radio and their album SoulFunknBLUES was JAZZ.FM91 2023 Album of The Year.

In 2023, the band received the prestigious honour of being inducted into the Canada South Blues Society Hall of Fame, a testament their commitment to continuing a legacy of musical excellence and increasing the visibility of Black artists in the Canadian music landscape.

Previous achievements and accolades include receiving the 2017 Coup de Coeur Award from the Festival International Du Blues De Tremblant, earning a 2016 JUNO Awards nomination for Blues Album of The Year, and winning the 2010 Maple Blues Award for Best New Band.

Blackburn Brothers' consistent excellence is reflected in multiple Maple Blues Award nominations across various categories over the years including Electronic Act of the Year in 2024 and 2022, the Maple Blues Award nomination for Drummer of the Year (Cory Blackburn) in 2024, 2022, 2020, the Maple Blues Award nomination for Piano/Keyboard Player of the Year (Duane Blackburn) in 2024, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2017, 2015, and 2024 Maple Blues Award nominations for Entertainer of the Year, Songwriter of the Year, Recording of the Year, Producer of the Year, Male Vocalist of the Year (Brooke Blackburn), Guitarist of the Year (Brooke Blackburn).

2023 BLUES BLAST MAGAZINE FEATURE

Dec, 2023

By Jack Austin

Featured Interview – The Blackburn Brothers:

Since 2006, Blackburn Brothers have become staples of the Toronto blues scene, crafting a sound that incorporates funk, jazz, and soul, with a strong blues foundation. Their album SoulFunkn’BLUES received 9 Maples Blues Awards nominations and the group hopes to break out into greater popularity in the US and beyond.

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BLUES BLAST MAGAZINE

Reviews New Album 'SoulFunkn’BLUES' By Blackburn Brothers, Electro-Fi Records

Issue 17-35 August 31, 2023

“The Blackburn Brothers deliver excellent soul blues laced with funk… They certainly demonstrate a talent with their instruments, and Duane’s vocals are constantly strong, drawing you into every song...”

2023 BIG CITY RHYTHM & BLUES MAGAZINE Feature

Great White North: Canada’s Blues People, The Blackburn Brothers and their dad, Bobby Dean, August 2023 Kitchener Blues Festival

BIG CITY RHYTHM & BLUES MAGAZINE

October / November 2023

GREAT WHITE NORTH

Canada'd Blues People

The Blackburn Brothers and their dad, Bobby Dean

August 2023 Kitchener Blues Festival

BIG CITY RHYTHM & BLUES MAGAZINE

October / November 2023

GREAT WHITE NORTH

Canada'd Blues People

The Blackburn Brothers and their dad, Bobby Dean

August 2023 Kitchener Blues Festival

Press, Reviews and Publications

2024 Kopp, Bill, Blackburn: Band of Brothers (3 Parts), Musoscribe, March 17, 2024..
A Band of Brothers, Living Blues Magazine, The University of Mississippi, January /
February 2024.
Blackburn Brothers Family Bonds, JAZZ'N'MORE Magazine, Switzerland, January / February 2024.
Corby, Paul, Review and Analysis: The 2024 Maple Blues Awards, Roots Music Canada, February 24, 2024.
Trapunski, Richard, Here Are Five Things You Didn’t Know About Blackburn Brothers, Billoard Canada, February 14, 2024
Trapunski, Richard, 2024 Juno Award Nominees Reveal Everything You Didn't Know About Them, Billboard Canada, February 9, 2024
Kelly, Brian, Music 'buzz' best for Blackburn Brothers, The Sault Star, February 3, 2024.
Blackburn Brothers – SoulFunkn'BLUES, The Borderline Radio Soo, February 2024.
Doole, Kerry, Music News Digest: Joni Mitchell, Blackburn Brothers, Sarah Harmer & More, Billboard, January 31, 2024.
2023 Austin, Jack, The Blackburn Brothers Eclectic Canadian Blues, Blues Blast Magazine, December
2023.
Blackburn Brothers It’s A Family Affair, Blues In Britain Magazine, December 2023.
Blackburn Brothers (from the album SoulFunkin’ Blues, The Alternate Root, November 25, 2023.
Marinus, Peter, Review: Blackburn Brothers – SoulFunkn'BLUES, Bluestown Music, November 19, 2023.
Great White North: Canada’s Blues People, The Blackburn Brothers and their dad, Bobby Dean, August 2023 Kitchener Blues Festival, Big City Rhythm & Blues Magazine, October / November 2023.
Richardson, Clive, The Blackburn Brothers Soul, Funk And A Whole Lot More, Blues Matters! Blues Matters Issue 134, October / November 2023.
Blackburn Brothers: Soulfunkin’BLUES Electro-Fi Records E-F 3464, Marty Gunther’s Red Hot ‘n Blues Reviews, Chicago Blues Guide, October 2023.
Blackburn Brothers: SoulFunkn' BLUES, Album Review, keys and chords, Sepember 25, 2023.
Blackburn Brothers – Soulfunkn’Blues (Electro-Fi), Album Review, WTJU 91.1 FM University of Virginia, September 23, 2023.
Canada's Purveyors Of Groove, Blackburn Brothers, Bring SoulFunkn'BLUES With New Album, The Sound Café Magazine, September 2023.
Kereiff, John, SoulFunkn’BLUES Blackburn Brothers (Electro-Fi)****, Album Review, September 23, 2023.
Taylor, Joe, Blackburn Brothers – SoulFunkn’BLUES, Blast Toronto, Building Legions and Sonic Temples, September 15, 2023.
Mitchell, Bill, What’s New: Blackburn Brothers, Blues Bytes, September 15, 2023.
Blackburn Brothers Release New Album ‘SoulFunkn’BLUES’, American Blues Scene, September 7, 2023.
Dallongeville, Patrick, Blackburn Brothers – SoulFunkn’BLUES Electro-Fi/ Sony // Indispensable (deux fois), Review, Paris Move Blues Magazine, Illico & BluesBoarder, September 5, 2023.
The Blackburn Brothers are Making a Scene: Making a Scene Presents an Interview with The Blackburn Brothers, Making A Scene Music, The Independent Magazine, September 4, 2023.
Ken Wallis Chats With Duane And Cory Blackburn From The Blackburn Brothers, The Sound Café, September 2023.
Blackburn Brothers – SoulFunkn’BLUES, Bluestown Music: Blues, Rock, Roots & Americana, New Releas: September 2, 2023.
A band with a deep family history: the Blackburn Brothers live in studio, CBC Fresh Air with Ismaila Alfa, September 2, 2023.
Presents: SoulFunkn’BLUES By The Blackburn Brothers, The Grateful Web, Brat Girl Media, September 2, 2023.
Sacksteder, John, Blackburn Brothers -Soulfunkn Blues Album Review, Blues Blast Magazine, September 1, 2023.
Périn, Jacques, Blackburn Brothers From father to son, Soul Bag, France, September 1, 2023.
The Blackburn Brothers SoulFunkn’BLUES, John's Blues Picks, Toronto Blues Society, September 1, 2023.
Reviews New Album 'SoulFunkn’BLUES' By Blackburn Brothers, Electro-Fi Records, Blues Blast Magazine, Issue 17-35 August 31, 2023.
Featured Track: Blackburn Brothers Honor Their Father With ‘Bobby’s Blues’, American Blues Scene, August 30, 2023.
Blackburn Brothers, SoulFunknBLUES, Album Review, Big City Rhythm & Blues Magazine Feature, August 28, 2023.
Hynes, Jim, The Blackburn Brothers Show Their Sweaty Canadian Grooves On 'Soulfunkin' Blues' (ALBUM REVIEW), Glide Magazine, August 28, 2023.
Blackburn Brothers “SoulFunkn'BLUES”, LHDB La hora del blues, Album Review, Aug 2023.