Also this week: The Canada Black Music Archives puts on a showcase with Jully Black and others, SOCAN starts Late Check Out, a new performance series at the Annex Hotel & more industry news.
On Sunday, Toronto musician, composer, producer and professor Justin Gray became the first Canadian to win a Grammy in the best immersive audio album category for Immersed. For this ambitious project, he assembled 35 top musicians then recorded them individually using immersive sound technologies.
Sharing in the Grammy glory as co-producer was another Toronto musician Drew Jurecka, known for his work with such artists as Jill Barber, Jeff Healey and Payadora. Gray has previously created immersive recordings for artists including Olivia Rodrigo, Arkells and the Tragically Hip and the Grammy win is sure to increase demand for his skills. Both Gray and Jurecka are on the faculty of Humber Polytechnic in Toronto.
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Head here for the win tally and highlights from Canadian musicians at the 2026 Grammys.
Industry News
The Canada Black Music Archives (CBMA), presented by Word Media Group Inc, brings its annual Black History Month Showcase to the City of Toronto Archives, 255 Spadina Rd, Toronto, on Feb. 5. The daytime program (noon - 2 pm) features noted chef and musician Roger Mooking in conversation with CBMA co-founder Phil Vassell, exploring storytelling, legacy and the importance of preserving Black music history. The evening showcase (5-9 pm) highlights live performances from Jully Black, Tanika Charles, Divine Brown, Dru (In Essence) and Liberty Silver, with DJ and production support from Carl Allen. Info and registration for the free event here
– Punk Talks is an ongoing series exploring the history of punk rock in various Ontario cities. On Jan. 18, a well-attended event at Last Supper Books in Hamilton focused on the punk scene in that city and others. Featured guests included Liz Worth, author of the acclaimed Toronto punk history Treat Me Like Dirt: An Oral History of Punk in Toronto, Ron Ferroni, Bob Bryden and Steven Frank, author of the recently-published biography Young, Fast & Scientific:The DIY World of Al Cole. The latter is a fascinating look at the work of Cole, a poster artist and music booster who deeply impacted the Oshawa and London, Ontario scenes. The book can be ordered here.
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The Punk Talks series continues at Peach Berserk in Toronto on Feb. 22, March 22 and April 26 and with another Hamilton event, set for the Gaba Gaba Gool Club on Feb. 27. It will feature punk rockers Dave Elley and Dave Howitt plus famed club booker Lou Molinaro. Liz Worth moderates. The event is free with registration here
– SOCAN has just announced a partnership with Annex Hotel in Toronto to spotlight Canadian songwriting. Late Check Out is a new original music performance series featuring intimate, artist-focused sessions filmed on site at the hotel. Beginning this month, Late Check Out will roll out as a monthly series across digital platforms featuring some noted Canadian artists performing one original song and one cover. Here is the first video with artist 646yf4t (pronounced "babyfat"), a rising artist who is also the brother of R&B star Daniel Caesar.
– Via Rail Canada is now officially accepting applications for the summer 2026 edition of its Artists on Board program. Canadian musicians can get to share their music with passengers in exchange for complimentary or reduced fare travel while they perform. Apply here.
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– Presented by CIMA and Believe,How to Make Video Your Best Ally (YouTube, TikTok & IG for Artists) is an online masterclass that will explore how artists can turn video platforms (YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram) into powerful growth and monetization tools. It is scheduled for Feb. 6, at 1 p.m. ET. Register here.
Festivals News
The newly revived Aurora Winter Blues Festival in Aurora, Ontario, has unveiled an impressive lineup for its new edition. Running from Feb. 26 - March 1, it will will feature performances from Jack de Keyzer, Suzie Vinnick, Glenn Marais’ Jook, Dominique Fils-Aimé, Harrison Kennedy and Little Magic Sam. Tickets are on sale now here. The fest has also announced free informal workshop sessions offering a rare chance to learn directly from such award-winning artists, historians and musicians as Vinnick, Marais, Manny DeGrandis (Toronto Blues Society), Tony D (Monkey Junk), Jay Blues and Diana Braithwaite.
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Awards News
The fourth annual Women In Music Canada Honours (a separate event from Billboard Canada Women in Music put on by the Women In Music Canada non-profit organization) returns to Toronto’s Queen Elizabeth Theatre on March 5. The event’s festivities include the announcement of 2026 honours recipients and recognizing this year's career achievement honours recipients – Simone Denny, Sharon Hinds, Ava Kobrinsky, Sarah Lutz and Patti-Anne Tarlton. New this year will be an honouree named for the category of excellence in sound production. Hosted by CBC's Saroja Coelho, the night will include performances by Billianne, Annabel Oreste, DJ Me Time and Simar. An afterparty at Annabel’s (upstairs from the Queen Elizabeth Theatre) will follow.
– The 2026 Live Music Awards will take place on May 6 at the Bluma Appel Theatre as part of Departure 2026. Nominations are now open until Feb. 27. Submit here.
Artists News
Acclaimed Albertan honkytonk troubadour Corb Lund has announced an intimate seven-city Bottom of the Deck Western Canadian club tour this May and June, performing some of his most celebrated albums from his expansive body of work in full, across multiple nights. Public on sale begins on Feb. 6. Tour itinerary here. Expect material from across Lund's career, as he revisits his catalogue on vinyl (via New West Records), reissuing 11 albums originally released between 1995 and 2024 – some for the very first time on vinyl – with a 12th title to be announced later this year. Fans can explore the full vinyl series via Lund’s web store.
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– Two-time Juno-winning Montreal singer-songwriter Dominique Fils-Aimé recently released the second chapter of her sophomore trilogy, My World Is The Sun. Starting this month, she brings itto the stage with concerts across Canada and Europe, including dates in Toronto (Feb 25), Ottawa (Mar 4), Victoria (Mar 6), and Vancouver (Mar 7). Tour dates here.
