Matt Andersen was named entertainer of the year at Maple Blues Awards on Monday night in Toronto. Matt Andersen was named entertainer of the year at Maple Blues Awards on Monday night in Toronto. (Chris Smith)New Brunswick blues singer Matt Andersen has won big at the Maple Blues Awards.

The Bairdsville, N.B., native was named entertainer of the year and acoustic act of the year Monday at Koerner Hall in Toronto.

Andersen began the year by winning the top prize for a duo/individual in the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, Tenn., beating artists from 11 other countries. He treated Canadians to his rich blues voice by touring Canada throughout 2010 with CBC Radio's Vinyl Cafe.

Ottawa group Monkey Junk also made a strong showing, taking home three awards, including best electric act.

Monkey Junk's Steve Marriner was named harmonica player of the year and Matt Sobb was named drummer of the year.

Formed in Ottawa in 2006, the trio have been touring in support of their album Tiger in Your Tank.

Monkey Junk took home five awards, including entertainer of the year, at the 2010 Maple Blues Awards and capped off 2010 with a win for best breakthrough act at the Blues Music Awards in Memphis in May.

Rita Chiarelli, a blues singer from Hamilton, Ont., was honoured with a lifetime achievement award at the Maple Blues Awards in Toronto. Rita Chiarelli, a blues singer from Hamilton, Ont., was honoured with a lifetime achievement award at the Maple Blues Awards in Toronto. (Canadian Press)One of the country's best-known female blues artists, Rita Chiarelli, was honoured for her lifetime achievements with the Blues With A Feeling Award.

Chiarelli, a Hamilton, Ont., native who began performing in Ronnie Hawkins's band in the 1980s, spent several years singing in Italy. Her most recent recording is Sweet Paradise.

Another Hamiltonian, the late Richard Newell, known as King Biscuit Boy, won a Special Lifetime Achievement Award. Newell died in 2003.

Downchild, the Toronto group that celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2009, won recording of the year for its album I Need A Hat.

Other winners included:

  • Gord MacAulay, blues booster of the year.
  • Shakura S'Aida of Toronto, best female vocalist.
  • John Mays of Toronto band Fathead, best male vocalist.
  • Mike "Shrimp Daddy" Reid, of Milton, Ont., best new artist.
  • Derek Trucks & Susan Tedeschi Band, best international artits.
  • Garrett Mason, guitar player of the year.
  • Julian Fauth, piano/keyboard player of the year.
  • Chris Whiteley, horn player of the year.
  • Keith Picot, bassist of the year.
  • Paul Reddick & Colin Linden, songwriter of the year.