Junos shine on Manitoba artists

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A handful of Manitoba musicians were shown some love by the Juno Awards Tuesday as nominees were announced for the “biggest night in Canadian music.”

Winnipeg-based roots duo the Small Glories — Cara Luft and JD Edwards — are up for traditional roots album of the year for their sophomore release, Assiniboine & the Red. The Juno nomination is just the most recent feather in the cap for the pair, who won the artist of the year award at the International Folk Music Awards earlier this month.

“We’re both feeling pretty overwhelmed and incredibly grateful,” Luft said in an email to the Free Press. “People have been embracing us and our recorded music and live show; it’s what every artist dreams of. We’re pretty darn lucky to have such immense support behind us, and to have our peers recognize all the hard work and passion.”

Singer-songwriter Del Barber is also up for a roots award, in the contemporary roots album of the year category for Easy Keeper, his first solo record in more than five years. His fans financially supported the record through a crowdfunding campaign.

Bilingual Métis country-pop singer-songwriter Renée Lamoureux is nominated in the adult contemporary album of the year award for Empower, her third release as a solo artist. Previously, Lamoureux was most known for her work as half of the duo Keith and Renée. This is her first Juno nomination.

“It is an absolute honour and the first time in my career. I’m so stoked to also be in the same category as Bryan Adams, as I’ve been listening to his music my whole life. (I’m) so blown away,” Lamoureux said.

No strangers to the Juno Awards, Order of Canada inductee Big Dave McLean picked up a nod in the blues album of the year category for his newest record, Pocket Full of Nothin’, while Brandon-born violinist James Ehnes added to his large collection of Juno nominations in the classical album of the year: solo or chamber category for his album Beethoven: Violin Sonatas Op. 12. Ehnes has won 11 Juno Awards and this marks his 28th nomination.

In addition, Winnipeg rapper Fresh I.E.’s album Ill Street Blues snagged a nomination in the contemporary Christian/gospel album of the year category. He’s a two-time Grammy Award nominee, and was previously nominated for a Juno in 2005 for his album Red Letterz.

Winnipeg-born, Hamilton-based Iskwē is also up for some hardware: the electro-pop singer-songwriter’s acākosīk is nominated for adult alternative album of the year.

Pop singer and 2020 Juno Awards host Alessia Cara leads the pack with six nominations. The televised Juno Awards take place in Saskatoon on March 15 and will air on CBC at 7 p.m.

erin.lebar@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @NireRabel