Ottawa’s MonkeyJunk Takes 3 Maple Blues Awards

The fabulous Ottawa blues trio MonkeyJunk capped off an incredible run through 2011 into 2012 with 3 big Maple Blues Awards in this year’s ceremony held in Toronto at the Koerner Hall.

With Steve Marriner as lead signer and more than capable musician, Tony Diteodoro (Tony D) on blues guitar and Matt Sobb on drums it’s no wonder this trio has made a huge splash since forming back in 2008, each musician has paid their dues playing years (in some cases decades) of blues clubs on their way to this current collection.

For sure, right out of the gates MonkeyJunk caught the attention of loyal blues fans and the industry at large being recognized by the Maple Blues Awards nominated for best new blues act back in 2008 before they even had finished their first CD

They won this year for Recording of the Year for their latest work “To Behold” as well as scooping Best Blues Act and Best Drummer awards, the latter for Matt Sobb. 

MonkeyJunk works because each of the artists bring something different to the table and push each other just enough into different directions that they create this wonderful gumbo of Southern, R&B, straight ahead blues and rock music that just makes you want to listen more and wonder what they will come out with next. 

As someone who has followed Tony D’s wonderful, inspired blues guitar playing for years, get to see another side to him playing in MonkeyJunk both restrains him AND drives him to advance his playing at the same time. 

Steve Marriner brings just the right combination of soul and blues to his vocals adding a professional yet powerful front end to the band.  And yes the back-end is in good hands to with the supremely dedicated. talented back-beat of Matt Sobb. 

All-in-all well deserved, and yes, I can’t wait to see what they come out with next.   See you at 2012 Bluesfest in Ottawa guys and congratulations for once again raising the bar for Canadian Blues.