Music News Digest: KAYO, Mo Kenney, Terra Spencer Top Music Nova Scotia Music Award Winners
Also this week: The Tlalli Festival showcases Indigenous artists, the Etobicoke Jazz Festival lineup includes Juno and Grammy winners and Oakville's Moonshine Cafe returns to life.
KAYO
Awards News
At a brunch event on Sunday (Oct. 26) at the Rodd Grand Yarmouth, the 2025 Music Nova Scotia Music & Industry Awards handed out trophies in 23 music and 8 industry categories. Leading the way with two wins apiece were KAYO, Mo Kenney and Terra Spencer, while the Halifax Jazz Festival won two industry awards. Performing at the event were Adina, Kristen Martell, Morgan Toney, Kxng Wooz and Mo Kenney.
Here is the full list of winners:
African Nova Scotian Artist of the Year: Jah'Mila
Americana/Bluegrass Recording of the Year: Charlie A'Court - San Palarino
Blues Recording of the Year: Campbell & Johnston - Paisley Hearts
Children's Artist of the Year: Razzmatazz
Classical Recording of the Year: India Gailey with Symphony Nova Scotia & Karl Hirzer - Butterfly Lightning Shakes the Earth
Country Recording of the Year: Bill Ricky - Bill Ricky
DJ of the Year: KAYO
Electronic Artist of the Year: Rich Aucoin
Entertainer of the Year: Terra Spencer
Folk/Roots Recording of the Year: Terra Spencer - Sunset
Hip Hop/Rap Recording of the Year: KAYO - EXTENDED TRIP
Indigenous Artist of the Year: Alan Syliboy & The Thundermakers
Jazz Recording of the Year: Sam Wilson - Wintertides
Loud Recording of the Year: The Orchids - The Orchids
Music Video of the Year: Mo Kenney - From Nowhere, directed by Nicole Cecile Holland and Sarah Swire
Musician of the Year: Siobhan Martin
New Artist Recording of the Year: Mat Elliott - South Endings
Pop Recording of the Year: Pillow Fite - Hard Feelings, Soft Promises
Prix de l’Acadie: Kristen Martell
R&B/Soul Artist of the Year: JupiterReign
Rock Recording of the Year: Eric Stephen Martin - Paper Chains
SOCAN Songwriter of the Year: Mo Kenney
Traditional Recording of the Year: Lucy MacNeil - Angels Whisper
INDUSTRY AWARDS:
Artistic Development Award: Halifax Jazz Festival
Educator of the Year: Avery Dakin
Emerging Industry Professional of the Year: Anna Brown
Live Sector Award: Halifax Jazz Festival
Media Arts Award: CKDU-88.1FM Society
Recording Sector Award: Breagh Isabel
Sound, Tech and Production Award: Sara Martin
Volunteer of the Year: George d’Eon
Festivals News
Honouring Indigenous artistry, memory, community, traditions and cuisine, The Tlalli Festival takes place on Nov. 1 at TD Music Hall in Toronto. This year’s (fourth) edition, Xibalbá, gathers artists from across the Americas — including Juno winners Digging Roots, Montreal’s Raíz Viva, acclaimed Dominican Republic born, Brooklyn, New York-based Yasser Tejeda, Mexican-American artist, Rosalba Valdez, Mexican-Canadian singer-songwriter Quique Escamilla and more. More info here.
– The Etobicoke Jazz Festival (EJF) marks its tenth anniversary this November with an impressive lineup of Juno and Grammy Award-winning performers and community-focused programming. The 2025 festival launches with a media and VIP kickoff on Nov. 5 at 5300 Dundas St. W. On Nov. 20, the historic Old Mill (a new fest venue) features a concert by Jane Bunnett & Maqueque, the renowned Cuban-infused jazz ensemble led by 5x Juno winner and Order of Canada recipient Bunnett. Irene Torres opens. A powerhouse Old Mill bill on Nov. 28 features The Jive Bombers, Juno-winning vocalist/pianist Laila Biali, Grammy-winning piano virtuoso Hilario Duran (with his full band) and popular Steely Dan tribute band Pretzel Logic. Tickets and info here.
Industry News
Good news for music fans in the Oakville area is the rebirth of The Moonshine Cafe. This much-loved bar and live music venue ran for nearly 19 years at 137 Kerr Street, Oakville, then was sold a few months ago. After a successful GoFundMe campaign (over $25K raised), new owner Mike Wharton has just reopened the business, at a new location, 568 Kerr St. Appearing on Oct. 30 is former Prairie Oyster frontman Russell de Carle, with his trio, and other bookings include Stephen Stanley (Nov. 27) and Brooks & Bowskill (Dec. 6) More info here.
Artists News
Last week, seasoned Toronto roots troubadour John Borra released a new album, Last Dance At The E Room. After officially launching it with a Horseshoe Tavern gig, he trekked to Hamilton for a solo matinee performance at The Capitol on Saturday (Oct. 25). He delivered a compelling and well-curated set that mixed in new material with favourites from his acclaimed Blue Wine release ("Trace In The Wind" was a standout) and Cassettes in Common, his album of covers of other Canadian songsmiths. Borra's songs are oft poignant and moving and he did the memory of his close friend Peter J. Moore (owner of the titular E Room) proud.
Also impressing with his opening set was local songsmith Darryl Gould, whose literate compositions drew upon topics ranging from residential school abuses to cult heroes Genesis P. Orridge and Anton Newcombe, while another eloquent singer-songwriter, Scott B. Sympathy, guested with a couple of tunes.
– After a long absence, highly-regarded folk singer-songwriter Jory Nash returns with his 10th album, The Light Still Shines On The Main, co-produced with longtime friend Chris Stringer (Elliott Brood, Timber Timbre). “This album is about coming through the darkness,” says Nash. “It’s about hope, resilience, loss, and finding beauty in new beginnings.” He launches it with a Nov. 1 show at Hugh's Room Live in Toronto, accompanied by top players Jason Fowler, Maury Lafoy, Robbie Grunwald, Mark Mariash and backing vocalist Lori Cullen. Tickets here. This fall, Nash plays a series of intimate house concerts across Ontario. Full tour details here.
– Her just-released album, What Just Happened, marks Lily Sazz's debut as an artist and producer, but she is far from a novice. A classically-trained keyboardist, she has worked extensively as a sideperson, bandleader and backup vocalist, including a 10-year stint as musical director of the acclaimed Women’s Blues Revue Band. Sazz also co-founded and led the notable bands Trailblazers, Groove Corporation and Maple Blues Award nominated Cootes Paradise, and has now emerged as a rootsy solo singer-songwriter. A-list players featured on the eclectic new record include Colin Linden, Suzie Vinnick, Harry Manx, Steve Marriner, Darcy Hepner, Mike Branton and Boreal, and you can expect some notable guests when Sazz has her Hamilton hometown album release show Nov. 23 at The Gasworks. Tickets here.
– Long acclaimed in Canada, Montreal-based artist Dominique Fils-Aimé has been expanding onto the world stage. Over the past two years, she has played over 150 shows in 15 countries, including Japan, Brazil, Africa, Europe and North America, and she recently announced dates for the global Sunshine Tour. These will include stops across Canada including TD Music Hall, Toronto (Feb 25th), Montreal International Jazz Festival (June 27), Chan Centre, Vancouver (Mar 7) as well as Germany, Switzerland, Denmark, Netherlands, Belgium, France, and UK. A new album is expected in 2026. Tour dates here.
– Hamilton-based vocalist, keyboardist and songwriter Dean Fulton and his band Lost Soul Caravan released their debut album, Sit and Wait, on Oct. 24, and will play a release show at Ringside (324 James St. N. Hamilton) on Nov. 8. Tickets here. Those playing on the album include Jimmy Hayes 111 and Marlon Nicolle of the late great Harlan Pepper.
