Dedicated to our friend Jeff Healey (1967 – 2008)

Gary Kendall-Musical Director/Band Leader/Bassist
John Mays-Vocals Dawn Tyler Watson-Vocals
Chuck Jackson-Vocals, Harmonica
Tom Bona-Drums
Teddy Leonard-Guitar
Michael Fonfara-Piano, Hammond B3 Organ
Chris Murphy-Baritone Sax
Pat Carey-Tenor Sax
Al Lerman-Harmonica, Tenor Sax, back-up vocals
 Chris Whiteley-Trumpet
  The Maple Blues Revue is an assembly of Canadian blues veterans and award winners pieced together as the house band for the 2000 Canadian Maple Blues Awards ceremony. Collectively they are the recipients of over thirty Maple Blues Awards and countless nominations.

The Maple Blues Band was formed by its musical director and Downchild Blues Band’s bassist Gary Kendall in association with The Toronto Blues Society to be the house band at the 2000 Canadian “Maple Blues Awards” ceremony. To this day they continue to be part of that annual event. In 2004 they decided to branch out and perform at festivals and concerts as The Maple Blues Revue, adding vocalists Dawn Tyler Watson (2005 and 2007 Female Vocalist of the year), John Mays (2001, 2002 and 2004 Male Vocalist of the Year) and Chuck Jackson (1999 and 2007 Male Vocalist of the Year). The Maple Blues Revue hosts other Downchild veterans such as Michael Fonfara on piano and organ, Pat Kerry on tenor sax as well as front man Chuck Jackson. 2007 Juno award winner and multiple Maple Blues Award winner Fathead is represented by vocalist John Mays and sax man Al Lerman. Blues veterans Chris Murphy on baritone sax and Chris Whitely on trumpet round off the powerful horn section. Guitarist Teddy Leonard and Tom Bona on drums join Gary Kendall to complete the rhythm section.

The Maple Blues Awards have been recognizing achievements in blues music across Canada since 1999. Jeff Healey was a recipient of a Maple Blues life time achievement in 2001.

Dedicated to Canadian jazz blues and rock legend Jeff Healey, 1967 to 2008, sales of the CD will benefit the charity that Healey supported for years, The Daisy’s Eyes Cancer Fund.

The show was recorded May 19th, 2008 at the Twisted Pines Music and Arts Festival in Penetanguishene, Ontario. The CD and performance captures Canada’s finest blues vocalists driven by one of the strongest blues bands the country has to offer.

Material provided by the artists in support of the charity is a blend of power jump blues and funk with straight up blues, roots, R&B and a tint of gospel.