After years of touring the world, crafting new music and paying their dues, Blue Moon Marquee feels like all of its hard work has paid off.
And this year, in particular, has been especially rewarding for the B.C.-based musical duo made up of Jasmine Colette and her partner A.W. "Al" Cardinal.
This month, the pair clinched the Indigenous Artist of the Year prize at BreakOut West while, at the 2023 Summer Solstice Indigenous Awards, they won Live Performance of the Year and Roots Album of the Year. They also picked up a Blue Music Awards nomination in the Emerging Artist of the Year field and were named a finalist in an international songwriting competition.
But it was their historical sweep in Toronto at the 2023 Maple Blues Awards that started off their year in good stead: They earned Songwriter of the Year, Entertainer of the Year, Acoustic Act of the Year and Album/Producer of the Year.
The accolades came pouring in after the swing–blues–boogie–jazz band released its fifth album, Scream, Holler & Howl — a work mostly penned during the pandemic hiatus in 2020 and 2021.
"We've been working on it for a long time," Colette told the Tri-City News this week before a sound check at an Alberta gig.
"It feels good to be getting noticed for it and lots of tips of the hat."
The name of the album, she said, is based on the title track.
"We wanted to write a feel-good tune about being able to express yourself and get out there. It's about having a good time, and being free to get wild and the energy you’re dealing with."
Some of their 13 tracks, which feature seven guests musicians such as Duke Robillard (of Fabulous Thunderbirds and Roomful of Blues fame) on guitar and Darcy Phillips on piano/organ, are being highlighted on a tour that includes a stop in Port Moody next week with two other musicians.
That date is part of the second annual Inlet Theatre Music Series, co-founded by Port Moody musicians Bill Sample and Darlene Cooper.
"We are super excited to bring Blue Moon Marquee to the Inlet Theatre on Oct. 28," Sample told the Tri-City News.
"They are destined for worldwide recognition after sweeping the Maple Blues Awards. This could very well be the last chance to hear them in a small venue."
Meanwhile, Colette said the band hopes to carve some time this fall to get back to songwriting and be in the studio next year.
For tickets to see Blue Moon Marquee on Saturday, Oct. 28, at the Inlet Theatre (100 Newport Dr., inside Port Moody City Hall), go online to Eventbrite.ca.
