Sunday, February 8, 2026

Music Listings: February 9-12, 2026

February 9-12, 2026

We try our best to make sure these listings are as accurate as possible. If you spot any errors or omissions, please email us at blueshamilton@gmail.com.


Feb 9-12 / Feb 13-15


Monday, February 9




6-8pm: Youth Jam with Iain Leslie @ Moonshine Cafe (Oakville) $5 (Weekly)



6:30pm: Wilber James Band @ Spirit in Niagara (Niagara-on-the-Lake) (Bi-Weekly)

7-11pm: Acoustic Open Mic with Sean Fuller @ Pub 36 (Hamilton) (Weekly)

7-9pm: Brant Harmonica Guild @ Knights (Brantford) (2nd & Fourth Mondays) 

7:30-10:30pm: Irish Traditional Sessions @ Irish Harp (Niagara-on-the-Lake)



8pm: Open Jam with Iain Leslie @ Moonshine Cafe (Oakville) $5 (Weekly) 

Tuesday, February 10






6:30-8:30pm: Irish Music Jam Session @ Corktown Pub, Downstairs (Hamilton) (Weekly)

7-10pm: Open Mic with Brennagh Burns @ Lukaya Cafe (Hamilton) (Weekly)





7pm: Felicia McMinn @ Capitol 33 (Delhi) (Weekly) 

7:30pm: Christopher Clause @ Thirsty Cactus (Dundas) (Weekly)

8-11pm: Open Jam with the Boom Babiez @ Ale House (Hamilton) (Weekly) 

8-11:30pm: Open Mic @ Which Craft (Guelph) (Weekly)

8:30-11:30pm: Open Mic/Jam @ Barton Touchdown Pub (Hamilton) (Weekly) 

Wednesday, February 11 





6:30-8:30pm: Open Mic Jazz @ Corktown Pub, Downstairs (Hamilton) (Weekly)

7-10pm: Dan Thomas & Greg Brisco @ East End Social (Hamilton) (Weekly


7pm: Perry and Mark @ Royal Electric (Guelph) (Weekly) 

7-10pm: Open Mic @ The Bullring (Guelph) (Weekly)


7:30pm: Chris Chambers @ Thirsty Cactus (Dundas) (Bi-Weekly)



8-11pm: Open Mic @ The Block Co (Burlington) (Weekly)


8-12pm: Open Jam @ Frankie's (Brantford) (Weekly) 

8pm: Felicia McMinn @ 211Main (Port Dover) (Weekly)

Thursday, February 12 

---- Before 7:00pm ----






6pm: Mykul @ East End Social (Hamilton)

6-9pm: Open Mic @ Crystal Chandelier (Crystal Beach) (Weekly

6-8pm: Ed Pizzo on the Baby Grand Piano @ Spirit in Niagara (Niagara-on-the-Lake) (Weekly)

6-9pm: Lucas Stagg @ Aging Oak (Cambridge) (Weekly)



6:30pm: Alfie Smith @ Henry’s on James (Hamilton) 

6:30-9:30pm: James Ferris with Fried Balogna @ The Corktown Pub (Hamilton)(Weekly)


---- After 7:00pm ----


7-11pm: NO LIVE MUSIC @ Squire's Gastropub (Burlington) 


7-10pm: Josh Coulter @ Judge & Jester (Grimsby) (Weekly)

7-9pm: Grass Mud Horse @ Doc Magilligan's (Niagara Falls)

7-10pm: Stan Chang @ Manhattans (Guelph) 



7:30-10:30pm: Open Mic with Victor Morgado @ Your Neighbourhood Pizza Co (Beamsville)  (Weekly


7:30-10:30pm: Singer/Songwriter Series @ Irish Harp (Niagara-on-the-Lake)
  • Sean Bienhaus – 7:30 pm
  • Brandon Agnew – 8:30 pm
  • Jordan Gaudet – 9:30 pm

8pm: David James Allen @ Moonshine Cafe (Oakville) $15 

8-11pm: Open Mic Night + Jam @ Temple Bar (Oakville) (Weekly) 

8-10pm: Dragan on the Sax @ Spirit in Niagara (Niagara-on-the-Lake) (Weekly)



8-10:30pm: Innuendo @ The Jazz Room (Waterloo) $? 

8:30pm: Open Mic @ Coach & Lantern (Ancaster) (Weekly



COMING SOON!


January 21-February 7: Boom X (Musical) @ Theatre Aquarius (Hamilton)


January 31-February 16: Hamilton Winterfest 

February 13: Word Radio Day

February 13, 5pm: Artcrawl @ James Street North (Hamilton)

February 13, 7:30pm: Gowan @ Burlington Performing Arts Centre $79.50

February 13, 7:30pm: Bad Neighbours @ Capitol 33 (Delhi) $22.60 #

February 14: Valentine's Day



February 14, 7-11pm: Freedom Train @ Ridiculous (Hamilton) $27.96 #


February 14, 7:30pm: Kellylee Evans @ FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre, Partridge Hall (St. Catharines) $24+ 

February 14, 8pm: Sam Roberts Band @ FirstOntario Arts Centre (Milton) $120

February 14, 8pm: Gowan @ Centre in the Square (Kitchener) $?



February 16: Family Day




February 17, 8pm: Sam Roberts Band @ Sanderson Centre (Brantford) $60+

February 18, 8pm: Josh Ross @ FirstOntario Concert Hall (Hamilton) $?

February 18, 7-11pm: Dundas Music Club @ Oddfellows Hall (Dundas) (3rd Wed)



February 19-March 15: Taste of Oakville (some live music)

February 19, 8pm: Matt Andersen w/ Mariel Buckley @ Centre In The Square (Kitchener) $? 

February 19, 8:30pm: KC & The Sunshine Band @ Fallsview Casino Resort, OLG Stage (Niagara Falls) $? 

February 20, 6:30-8:30pm: Student Showcase @ Tabone Academy of Music (Hamilton) $10 #



February 20, 7:30pm: Bruce Cockburn @ Fallsview Casino Resort, OLG Stage (Niagara Falls) $?

February 20, 8pm: Jully Black @ Maxwell's Concerts & Events (Waterloo) $?



February 21, 8pm: Wide Mouth Mason @ Warehouse Concert Hall (St. Catharines) $36.10

February 21, 8pm: Sam Roberts Band @ River Run Centre (Guelph) $109

February 21, 8-11pm: Blackburn Brothers @ The Busholme (Erin) $35


February 22, 2 2-5pm: Open Mic Hosted by SnowHeel Slim @ Checkered Flag  (Hamilton) (Bi-Weekly)

February 22, 2-5pm: Brantford Open Stage @ Best Western (Bi-Weekly) $5

February 24, Soupfest @ Convention Centre (Hamilton)


February 25, March 5: Roots En Route Arts Festival @ Music Hall (Hamilton) $? 

February 26, 7pm: Sounds Gay! Open Mic @ Mosaic (Hamilton) (4th Thu)

February 26, 9pm-1am: Open Jam & Live Band Karaoke ft Detour @ Tracie's Place (Hamilton) (Last Thu)

February 27-March 8: Frost Bites (Hamilton)

February 27-28: Because Brrr Craft Beer Sessions @ Bridgeworks (Hamilton) $?

February 27, 7pm: Jack de Keyzer @ Shawn & Ed Brewing Company (Dundas) $37.61



February 28, 7:30pm: Portage @ Wesley United Church (Cambridge) $20 #

February 28, 7pm: Ja Rule & Trina @ Kitchener Auditorium $78.65+ #

March


February 25, March 5: Roots En Route Arts Festival @ Music Hall (Hamilton) $?

March 6: Bandcamp Friday


March 8, 2-5pm: Brantford Open Stage @ Best Western (Bi-Weekly) $5







March 20, 8pm: Sloan @ Maxwell's Concerts & Events (Waterloo) $? 

March 22, 2-5pm: Brantford Open Stage @ Best Western (Bi-Weekly) $5


March 24, 8pm: Tenille Townes @ Sanderson Centre (Brantford) $55+

March 26, 7:30pm: The Slocan Ramblers @ Emmanuel United Church (Waterloo) $40

March 27-28, 8pm: Alfie Zappacosta @ Tabone Academy of Music (Hamilton) $55 

March 28, 8-11pm: Jack de Keyzer @ Registry Theatre (Kitchener) $40

March 29, 8pm: Old Man Luedecke @ Mills Hardware (Hamilton) $25.33

March 30, 8pm: Old Man Luedecke @ Sonic Hall (Guelph) $26.33


April



April 2, 8pm:  Grand River Blues Society Presents Grand Thursday ft David Gogo, Jesse O'Brien & Steve Marriner @ Polish Hall (Brantford) $25 adv/$30 door ($5 for Blues Society members)

April 5, 2-5pm: Brantford Open Stage @ Best Western (Bi-Weekly) $5

April 15-May 3: Finding Neverland (Musical) @ Hamilton Family Theatre (Cambridge) $62 #

April 19, 2-5pm: Brantford Open Stage @ Best Western (Bi-Weekly) $5



May



May 12, 7:30pm: Ian Thomas... Not Gone Yet @ Sanderson Centre (Brantford) $83

Feb 8-12 / Feb 13-15



Thursday, February 5, 2026

2026 Juno Nominees Including Local Artists


The Junos are coming once again to the Hammer and a number of local artists have been given the nod.

The main ceremony will be televised on March 29, 2026 from TD Coliseum in Hamilton.

Below is a video of the official announcement.

GOOD LUCK EVERYONE!

Below is a complete list of nominees. Local acts are bolded.

ALBUM OF THE YEAR 

  • Later Tonight - Josh Ross (Waterdown) 
  • The Hard Way - Cameron Whitcomb
  • SWAG II - Justin Bieber 
  • So Close To What - Tate McRae 
  • Hurry Up Tomorrow - The Weeknd 

BLUES ALBUM OF THE YEAR 

CHILDREN’S ALBUM OF THE YEAR 

  • Little Leaf - Chris McKhool (Burlington) 
  • Ari Cui Cui et les jeux d’rôles (Les contes classiques en musique) - Ari Cui Cui 
  • All the Earth Speaks - Ginalina 
  • Hip Kids Music, Vol. 1 - Hip Kids Music 
  • Maestro Fresh Wes Presents: Young Maestro “Rhyme Travellers – Back to the Time Machine”  - Young Maestro 

CLASSICAL COMPOSITION OF THE YEAR 

  • Kimiko’s Pearl - Kevin Lau (commissioned by Bravo Niagara)
  • Cloud Path - Amy Brandon 
  • The Laws of Nature - Andrew Staniland 
  • The Complete Piano Solos (1989-2023) Vol. 1 – The Plains - Linda Catlin Smith 
  • Music for Body-Without-Organs - Nicole Lizée 

COUNTRY ALBUM OF THE YEAR

  • Later Tonight - Josh Ross (Waterdown )
  • Let Your Horses Run - Brett Kissel 
  • The Hard Way - Cameron Whitcomb 
  • One Of Us - James Barker Band 
  • Golden Child - Meghan Patrick 

FAN CHOICE 

  • Josh Ross (Waterdown) 
  • bbno$ 
  • Cameron Whitcomb 
  • James Barker Band 
  • Justin Bieber 
  • Karan Aujla 
  • Shawn Mendes 
  • Shubh 
  • Tate McRae
  • The Weeknd

METAL/HARD MUSIC ALBUM OF THE YEAR 

RECORDING ENGINEER OF THE YEAR 

SINGLE OF THE YEAR 

ADULT ALTERNATIVE ALBUM OF THE YEAR

  • My Second Last Album - Bahamas 
  • Fantasy Life - Begonia 
  • Uh Oh Patrick - Watson 
  • Let it Hiss - The Barr Brothers 
  • Humanhood - The Weather Station 

ALBUM ARTWORK OF THE YEAR 

  • Pink Elephant – Arcade Fire 
    Catherine Lepage (Art Director/Directrice artistique), Simon Rivest (Art Director/Directeur artistique), Daniel Lanois (Illustrator/Illustrateur), Norah Chassagne (Illustrator/Illustratrice), Régine Chassagne (Illustrator/Illustratrice, Photographer/Photographe)

  • Beat Bouquet – Misc Spectacles 
    Jérôme Beaulieu (Art Director/Directeur artistique), Etienne Bonneville (Designer/Concepteur), Chris de Muri (Illustrator/Illustrateur) Alina Herta (Photographer/Photographe)

  • Tsunami Sea – Spiritbox 
    Kevin Moore (Art Director/Directeur artistique), Kyle Joinson (Photographer/Photographe)

  • The Hard Way – Cameron Whitcomb 
    Logan Dane Morrison (Art Director/Directeur artistique)

  • Bambini Symphonique – Alain Trudel and Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal GSI
    Mykael Nelson (Art Director/Directeur artistique), Nicolas Lemieux (Designer/Concepteur), Liliane Jodoin (Illustrator/Illustrateur) & Felipe Arriagada (Illustrator/Illustrateur)

ALTERNATIVE ALBUM OF THE YEAR

  • Edge Of The Earth - Aysanabee 
  • Who Will Look After The Dogs? - PUP 
  • SAYA - Saya Gray 
  • SORRY, IT’S OVER - The OBGMs 
  • All Cylinders - Yves Jarvis 

ADULT CONTEMPORARY ALBUM OF THE YEAR 

  • NU2U - Nuela Charles 
  • Conditions of Love Vol. 1 - Rose Cousins 
  • Better Broken - Sarah McLachlan 
  • Rebuild - Shawn Hook 
  • Believer - Sister Ray 
ARTIST OF THE YEAR 

  • bbno$ 
  • Daniel Caesar 
  • Justin Bieber 
  • Tate McRae 
  • The Weeknd

BREAKTHROUGH ARTIST OR GROUP OF THE YEAR 

  • Cameron Whitcomb 
  • Goldie Boutilier 
  • Jade LeMac 
  • Jutes 
  • MICO 
  • Noeline Hofmann 
  • Sacha 
  • Saya Gray 
  • Sofia Camara 
  • yung kai 

CLASSICAL ALBUM OF THE YEAR (LARGE ENSEMBLE) 

  • Benedict Sheehan: Ukrainian War Requiem
  • Where Waters Meet Canadian Chamber Choir featuring Sherryl Sewepagaham 
  • Ichmouratov: The Ninth Wave, Viola Concerto No. 2, Cello Concerto No. 1 
  • Haydn: Symphony No. 43 in E-Flat Major, Hob. I:43 “Mercury” & Symphony No. 49 in F Minor, Hob. I:49 “La passione” 
  • Stravinsky: Pulcinella, Le Baiser de la fée (Divertimento) 

CLASSICAL ALBUM OF THE YEAR (SMALL ENSEMBLE) 

  • Current: MISSING ATOM (Artists of the Opera MISSING), Timothy Long & The Continuum Ensemble - Bright Shiny Things
  • Re/String - CC Duo & collectif9 
  • Vivaldi Les Quatres Nations (reconstruites) -  Ensemble Caprice 
  • Kevin Lau: Kimiko’s Pearl - Mariko Anraku, Conrad Chow, Ron Korb & Rachel Mercer 
  • in an archipelago - Standing Wave 

CLASSICAL ALBUM OF THE YEAR (SOLO ARTIST)

  • Tchaikovsky: The Seasons - Bruce Liu 
  • Zaytoun - Haitham Haidar 
  • Preludes by Chopin, Bach, Rachmaninoff, Messiaen, Górecki - Jan Lisiecki 
  • Awake and Dreaming - Katherine Dowling 
  • Obsession - Marie Nadeau-Tremblay 

COMEDY ALBUM OF THE YEAR 

  • Dragonflies - Adam Christie 
  • Fish From the Jar - Charlie Demers 
  • Dawud - Dave Merheje 
  • homesick. - Faris Hytiaa 
  • I’m Nervous - Robby Hoffman 

CONTEMPORARY CHRISTIAN/GOSPEL ALBUM OF THE YEAR

  • VULNERABLE TOO - Bridge Music 
  • Outlaw Gospel - collect.assembly 
  • the light that leads to YOU - Elenee 
  • WHERE THE HEART IS - Kofi Dartey 
  • Jubilate - Ryan Ofei 

CONTEMPORARY INDIGENOUS ARTIST OR GROUP OF THE YEAR 

  • Edge Of The Earth - Aysanabee 
  • LOVECHILD - Sebastian Gaskin 
  • Chapter 1 - Shawnee Kish 
  • Siibii - Siibii 
  • Sage My Soul - Tia Wood 

CONTEMPORARY R&B RECORDING OF THE YEAR 

  • Set Me Free - Adria Kain 
  • Mirage - Avenoir 
  • Son Of Spergy - Daniel Caesar 
  • PAID IN MEMORIES - Jessie Reyez 
  • Life 2 - Majid Jordan 
  • THERAPIST - SadBoi 

CONTEMPORARY ROOTS ALBUM OF THE YEAR

  • Strange Trip Ahead - Mariel Buckley 
  • The Hammer & The Rose - Matt Andersen 
  • Purple Gas - Noeline Hofmann 
  • These Dark Canyons - The Young Novelists 
  • Further From the Country - William Prince 

DANCE RECORDING OF THE YEAR

  • Loving You - Kideko & A-Trak 
  • Do What I Want - Anna Sofia 
  • Dominate - CHYL 
  • Bet On Me - Debby Friday Royal
  • i, sabotage - Felix Cartal 

ELECTRONIC ALBUM OF THE YEAR 

  • Channel 303 - Cloverdale 
  • The Starrr Of The Queen Of Life - Debby Friday Royal 
  • Bab El Mdina - Didon 
  • Shades of Meridian - ÈBONY 
  • Glow Up - Korea Town Acid

FRANCOPHONE ALBUM OF THE YEAR

  • Dogue - Ariane Roy La 
  • On s’enverra des fleurs - Fredz 
  • Les amours de seconde main - JF Pauzé 
  • Journal d’un Loup-Garou - Lou-Adriane Cassidy 
  • Dix chansons démodées pour ceux qui ont le cœur abîmé - Pierre Lapointe 

GLOBAL MUSIC ALBUM OF THE YEAR 

  • Bab El Mdina - Didon 
  • Ghoyoum - Kazdoura 
  • Future Village - Kizaba 
  • Legends - PIQSIQ 
  • Rammana - Salin 

GROUP OF THE YEAR 

  • Arcade Fire 
  • Mother Mother
  • Peach Pit 
  • The Beaches 
  • Three Days Grace 

INSTRUMENTAL ALBUM OF THE YEAR 

  • LOTUSLAND - Aaron Paris 
  • The love it took to leave you - Colin Stetson 
  • Ritual II - Crown Lands 
  • désert (deluxe) - Jean-Michel Blais & Lara Somogyi 
  • Le piano et le torrent - Viviane Audet

JACK RICHARDSON PRODUCER OF THE YEAR 

  • Cirkut
  • Greg Wells
  • Gus van Go
  • Joel Stouffer
  • Karen Kosowski

JAZZ ALBUM OF THE YEAR (GROUP) 

  • Afrokando - Alexis Baro Y la Big Band 
  • CODE Red - CODE Quartet 
  • Are You Really Real - Shuffle Demons 
  • Impact - The Steve Holt Jazz Impact Quintet 
  • East Meets West: Connections - Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra 

LATIN MUSIC RECORDING OF THE YEAR 

  • Índole - Alex Cuba 
  • BAILA Y CONFÍA - Andy Rubal 
  • Vanity- Isabella Lovestory 
  • La Belleza - Lido Pimienta 
  • He Sanado Varias Cosas - Mario Puglia 

JAZZ ALBUM OF THE YEAR (SOLO) 

  • City Lights - Anthony D’Alessandro 
  • Kinda Out West - Aretha Tillotson 
  • Immersed - Justin Gray 
  • Deeper Down - Nancy Walker 
  • Crossing Paths - Renee Rosnes

MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR 

  • Bellatores - Adrian Villagomez Apashe & Vladimir Cauchemar 
  • DRIVING - Adrian Villagomez Eddie Benjamin 
  • luther - Karena Evans Kendrick Lamar & SZA 
  • OK! - Shiraz Haviah Mighty 
  • Listen2me - Winston Hacking Foxwarren 

POP ALBUM OF THE YEAR 

  • bbno$ - bbno$ 
  • SWAG II - Justin Bieber 
  • 7 - Nelly Furtado 
  • So Close To What - Tate McRae 
  • Hurry Up Tomorrow - The Weeknd 

RAP ALBUM/EP OF THE YEAR 

  • KEEP YOUR EYE ON THE SPARROW - ARDN 
  • About Time - Connor Price 
  • Misery Loves Company - NorthSideBenji 
  • DRY CRY - SadBoi 
  • ELEMENTS Vol. 2 - TOBi 

RAP SINGLE OF THE YEAR

  • Mula feat. Big Sean - Connor Price 
  • PURSUIT - Freddie Dredd 
  • UNLIMITED feat. Playboi Carti - NAV 
  • DUMB - SonReal & Snotty Nose Rez Kids 
  • Who’s Driving You? - TOBi, Saukrates & Jully Black

REGGAE RECORDING OF THE YEAR 

  • Ready For You - Exco Levi & Kheilstone 
  • Dagga Riddim Cypher Jojo  - You Made That, Yung 2nuff, Erin B, Topman Meeko, One Don & Enzooo  
  • Deh Yah - Kirk Diamond 
  • Welcome To Paradise - Naomi Cowan 
  • More Reggae (Funk It Up) - Samora & Ammoye 

ROCK ALBUM OF THE YEAR 

  • Roll With The Punches - Bryan Adams 
  • INERTIA - grandson 
  • No Hard Feelings - The Beaches 
  • Metro - The Blue Stones 
  • The Damn Truth - The Damn Truth 
  • Alienation - Three Days Grace 

SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR 

  • Ashton Simmonds (Daniel Caesar)
  • Jessie Reyez
  • Justin Bieber 
  • Tate McRae 
  • The Beaches 

SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR (NON-PERFORMER) 

  • Elizabeth Lowell Boland
  • Hayley Gene Penner
  • Mustafa
  • Nathan Ferraro 
  • Tobias Jesso Jr.

SOUTH ASIAN MUSIC RECORDING OF THE YEAR 

  • Afsos - AP Dhillon & Anuv Jain 
  • P-POP CULTURE - Karan Aujla 
  • Renaissance - Ikky & Raf Saperra 
  • Supreme - Shubh 
  • By Any Means - Sukha

TRADITIONAL INDIGENOUS ARTIST OR GROUP OF THE YEAR

  • Battle At The Beach - Bad Eagle 
  • On The Move - Bear Creek 
  • Me & You - Manitou Mkwa Singers 
  • Anirniliit Suli - Piunguałaq 
  • Nakota Tayhunyabi - YB Nakota 

TRADITIONAL R&B/SOUL RECORDING OF THE YEAR 

  • Have A Baby (With Me) - Daniel Caesar 
  • **GOLIATH** - Jessie Reyez 
  • Say Yes - Melanie Fiona 
  • Formed - Savannah Ré 
  • Reasons To Stay - Tanika Charles 

TRADITIONAL ROOTS ALBUM OF THE YEAR 

  • I Lost My Heart On Friday - Aerialists 
  • Gold and Coal - Cassie and Maggie 
  • The Moon’s Daughter - Heather MacIsaac 
  • Heal The Divide - Morgan Toney 
  • Folk Signals - The Southern Residents 

UNDERGROUND DANCE SINGLE OF THE YEAR

  • Cosmic Affliction (toi toi toi) - AADJA BPitch 
  • Main de Fer - Annie-Claude Deschênes 
  • Icarus F7 - Acting 
  • Phantom Vibrations feat. Teddy Bryant - Gene Tellem Love 
  • Yeah! - Pacific Coliseum 

VOCAL JAZZ ALBUM OF THE YEAR 

  • Under the Lemon Tree - Ale Nuñez 
  • Alex Samaras Meets Judy Garland - Alex Samaras 
  • Seascape feat. Norma Winstone & Joe LaBarbera - Atlantic Jazz Collective 
  • Caity Gyorgy with Strings - Caity Gyorgy & Mark Limacher 
  • Get Out of Town - Laura Anglade 


Previous

Wednesday, February 4, 2026

Throwback Thursday: Jackie Washington: 1919-2009 (R.I.P.)

Original Posts: June 28, 2009 - June 29, 2009 - June 30, 2029

Updated/Merged Post: February 5, 2026


Beloved Hamilton Blues legend Jackie Washington passed at the age of 89 at Joseph’s Hospital at 1:22pm on Saturday, June 27, 2009 with family and friends by his side. The cause of death was complications from a heart attack.

He was an inspiration to generations of musicians and a Canadian treasure.

Reaction

On the Monday, June 29, 2009 edition of the Hamilton Spectator, Jackie Washington received the recognition he deserved. His life and career was the front page story.

Graham Rockingham's touching article included a description of his final moments, Jackie's biography, highlights from his career, and quotes from important Hamilton figures such as Lincoln Alexander, Sheila Copps, and more.

The legend's passing has also been felt on the Internet as many musicians and fans have posted their thoughts on different web sites.

Here is a sampling:

Mark McNeil (Musician & Spectator Reporter)
I've never known anyone who had more of a positive outlook on life and so genuinely loved being around people. He was a pleasure to spend time with and he was a treasure of information about the jazz world and local history. We all learned by his example and our lives were enriched by his musicianship.
Alfie Smith
The world seemed a little brighter with Jackie Washington in it. Your music and the joy you brought to so many people will always live on. I feel lucky to have known you. Rest in peace my friend.

John Crawford (aka Big Johnny Blue)
I am devastated, I just found out that the great Jackie Washington of Hamilton Ontario died yesterday. My heart goes out to the Washington Family. I was deeply moved by Jackie's music and he influenced my music for the better. Thanks Jackie and God bless you.!!!!!!!!
Lily Sazz
A Hamilton icon gone. Jackie Washington's memory will live on. Special mention to all of his dear friends who helped him in his final years.

Media Articles 


Memorial & Tributes

July 6, 2009

On Monday, July 6, 2009 at 7:30 pm, a New-Orleans style band was joined by many performers at the Jackie Washington Rotary Park on at Wellington and Simcoe. All musicians were invited to join in.

There were some tears but also a lot of music, fun and laughter at the tribute.Jackie Washington Rotary Park was packed with friends, family and fans remembering the life of this late, great Hamiltonian. Trains tooted as they passed the park, reminding everyone of Jackie's fascination with locomotives.

Local politician, and radio personality Bob Bratina hosted as poems were read, songs were sung, and stories were told.

Close friend and former manager, Bill Powell spoke of how Jackie's live music helped bring a woman out of catatonic state at a retirement home.

Organizers from various Ontario festivals spoke of the dedication the legend had to their events.

Poet and co-writer of Jackie's biography, James Strecker, read a poem he wrote in memory of his friend. Poet Holmes Hook also followed suit.

Jackie's frequent musical partners, Mose Scarlett (now deceased) and Ken Whiteley played amazing songs as did many other performers.

The evening ended with a big jam session of When the Saints Go Marching In. The performers marched into the crowd as people grabbed tambourines, harmonicas and kazoos to join in. A great sendoff for a wonderful man whose laughter and music brightened many people's lives.

July 8, 2009

Over 300 people packed Stewart Memorial Church, on July 8, 2009 to pay their respects.

Among the attendees were former Ontario Lieutenant Governor Lincoln Alexander, whom the Spectator quoted saying that there would never be another like him again.

In the article, former manager Bill Powell spoke about how Jackie turned down a lucrative deal opening for Harry Belafonte because it would take him away from his family.

Also, Reverend Francis Chisholm called him "Dr. Washington, specialist in music therapy"

Videos




Video above courtesy of Vinyldrome


Previous (Day the Music Died Videos)

Sunday, February 1, 2026

Nominees for the Inaugural (2025) Canadian Blues Music Awards

With the Maple Blues Awards is no longer around, the Canadian Blues Music Awards has risen to take it's place. The inaugural list of nominees was recently announced. The ceremony takes place March 30, 2026 at the Phoenix Concert Theatre in Toronto. GOOD LUCK EVERYBODY.

Below is a video of the nominee announcements.

Video above courtesy of Canadian Blues Music Awards.

Here's a complete list of nominees. Local acts are bolded.

*Signed to Waterdown's Stony Plain Records

Acoustic Blues Recording

Blues Guitarist

Blues Industry Person

Blues Keyboard Player

Blues Video (7 nominees due to ties) 

Blues Bassist

Emerging Blues Artist or Group


Previous (Black History Month Videos) - - - Next (Day the Music Died Videos)

Saturday, January 31, 2026

Black History Month Videos ft John Ellison, Jackie Washington, Sharon Musgrave, Viola Desmond

Update of 2021 Post

Historical Bits

  • John Ellison is the writer of the world-famous song Some Kind of Wonderful which he first recorded as part of the Soul Brothers Six.
  • John moved from the States to Canada. He became a Canadian citizen in 2006.
  • He currently resides in Dundas.

Links: John EllisonMore John Ellison StoriesVideo above courtesy of John Ellison - Topic

Historical Bits:

  • Jackie spent most of his life in Hamilton, Ontario.
  • In 1948, Jackie became the first Canadian black disc jockey when he was hired by Hamilton's CHML
  • Jackie was a major force in the Canadian blues scene for decades.
  • He passed away in 2009.

Links: Jackie WashingtonMore Jackie Washington StoriesVideo above courtesy of Jackie Washington - Topic


Historical Bits:



Previous (Automobile Day Videos) - - - Next (Nominees for the 1st Canadian Blues Music Awards)