JUNO Award NOMINEES 2026 47 categories and 248 nominees, 156 of whom are in for the first time
Halifax-basedRose Cousins is one of five artists vying for the JUNO’s Adult Contemporary Album of the Year for her moving album Conditions of Love Vol. 1.Montreal’s Kizaba (below) is up for Global Music Album of the Year for his electro-Congolese recording Future Village.
THE 55TH JUNO AWARDS 2026 / Part 2
Slowly evolving change welcomes cultural diversity
Over the yearsJUNO’s categories have grown and evolved as listening audiences and media have come to acknowledge and embrace various diasporas and alternative musical genres. This year’s newcomer is Latin music which joins Global, South Asian, Indigenous and Reggae. Alternative genres include Underground Dance, Electronic and Rap. Last year’s event broke ground by featuring – for the first time in its 55-year history – four different languages in the prized album of the year category. Nominees sang in English, French, Punjabi and Inuktitut.
Part 2 of Kurated’s JUNO nominee playlist features a number of artists from most of the categories named above. Inuk singer Elisapie helped set the stage a year ago when her album Inuktitut won Adult Alternative Album of the Year. All the album’s tracks are sung in her native language and she performed one at the ceremony. Revelling in the experience she said it was one of her most empowering moments on stage.
“There’s so much more beauty in different languages that we must pay attention to,” she said. “Something is shifting … I think it’s about time. Maybe it’s going to be like that every year now. Hopefully.”
Five artist profiles
1)Kizaba – a pioneer of electro-Congolese music his name means scholar or philosopher in Lingala, the major Bantu language in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Based in Montreal and born in Kinshasa he’s been described as a “planetary afro-futurist artist”. He is a singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist blending ancestral Africa with an afro-futuristic perspective. Learning jazz in New York the talented player presents an exciting and driven sound meshing vocals, drums, percussion, and electronic music into soukous, afrobeat, pop-rock, and afro-tech. Previously nominated for JUNO Awards his critically acclaimed third album, Future Village, is nominated for Global Music Album of the Year
2)Lido Pimienta – the outstanding Colombian-Canadian songstress made a bold musical shift with 2025’s classic and orchestral 9-song album La Belleza, her first recording in five years. Co-produced with Owen Pallett and recorded with the Medellin Philharmonic the recording is described as “Caribbean symphony” blending with chamber music as well as acting as an anti-colonial statement. Among numerous influences, Pimienta draws on her Indigenous ancestry having grown up in the Colombian Wayuu matriarchal culture. Medium magazine sees the work as “recontextualizing classical music to challenge the Eurocentric canon. She purposefully fuses high-culture, 60-piece orchestra arrangements with “low-culture” rhythms from her roots, aiming to redefine what is considered “classical”. Her record company, Anti Records, says the work, “…serves as a personal, romantic, and political exploration of ancestral pride, dealing with heartbreak” as well as a “radical statement”. The album is up for JUNO’s Latin Music Recording of the Year.
3)Patrick Watson – 20 years into a successful career, the California-born and longtime Montrealer wasn’t sure he’d ever sing again. He ruptured a blood vessel in his throat by singing too hard in 2022. Doctors said his voice wasn’t likely to recover. So he started composing his next work with other singers in mind. Fortunately his voice healed and beautifully so. Nonetheless, he’d already decided on various artists he wanted to record for his elegant and moving latest album, Uh Oh. As a result 10 of the 11 exquisite tracks feature Watson singing with an array of women including Charlotte Cardin, La Force, Martha Wainwright, November Ultra and Solann. Watson is nominated in the Adult Alternative Album of the Year category which has stiff competition featuring Bahamas, Begonia, The Barr Brothers and The Weather Station.
4)Pacific Coliseum – the Vancouver-based electronic musician is also know as Teen Daze while his wife knows him as Jamison Isaak. He started recording in 2010 under the Teen Daze moniker. In 2017 he added Pacific Coliseum to his resume in order to distinguish between his projects. Teen Daze features vocals and personal themes while Pacific Coliseum is house-influenced instrumental work. “Initially, I thought of Teen Daze as my outlet for more traditional songs, and Pacific Coliseum would be dedicated to more club-focused music. At the end of the day, it’s all still me,” he told Wemoto Radio. Jamison took home the 2023 JUNO for Electronic Album of the Year for Interior. This year he’s up for Yeah! as Pacific Coliseum for Underground Dance Single of the Year.
5)Shubh – Punjabi-born and Brampton-based Indian rapper-singer and songwriter Shubhneet Singh has more than 11 million followers on his Spotify streams. That accounts for over 500+ million career streams in less than a year since his debut in 2021. That year his debut single We Rollin vaulted him to fame and spawned his first album Still Rollin in 2023. According to Billboard magazine he has become “one of the most talked-about names in global music, amassing over 3 billion total streams across platforms, a fiercely loyal fanbase and a debut North American tour on the horizon.” Shubh’s first JUNO-nominated song, Supreme, is in the running for South Asian Music Recording of the Year.
Kuratedis tuned in.
14 March 2026
42-song Track List
JUNO AWARD NOMINEES 2026
TD Juno Fan Choice Award
Bbno$
Cameron Whitcomb
James Barker Band
Josh Ross
Justin Bieber
Karan Aujla
Shawn Mendes
Shubh
Tate McRae
The Weeknd
Single of the year
Options, Cameron Whitcomb
Hate How You Look, Josh Ross
Daisies, Justin Bieber
Sports Car, Tate McRae
Cry For Me, The Weeknd
Album of the year
The Hard Way, Cameron Whitcomb
Later Tonight,Josh Ross
Swag II, Justin Bieber
So Close to What, Tate McRae
Hurry Up Tomorrow, the Weeknd
Breakthrough artist or group of the year
Cameron Whitcomb
Goldie Boutilier
Jade LeMac
Jutes
Mico
Noeline Hofmann
Sacha
Saya Gray
Sofia Camara
Yung kai
Artist of the year
Bbno$
Daniel Caesar
Justin Bieber
Tate McRae
The Weeknd
Group of the year
Arcade Fire
Mother Mother
Peach Pit
The Beaches
Three Days Grace
Classical album of the year (solo artist)
Tchaikovsky: The Seasons, Bruce Liu
Zaytoun, Haitham Haidar
Preludes by Chopin, Bach, Rachmaninoff, Messiaen, Górecki, Jan Lisiecki
Awake and Dreaming, Katherine Dowling
Obsession, Marie Nadeau-Tremblay
Classical album of the year (small ensemble)
Current: Missing, ATOM (Artists of the Opera Missing), Timothy Long & the Continuum Ensemble
Re/String, CC Duo & collectif9
Vivaldi Les Quatres Nations (reconstruites), Ensemble Caprice sous la direction de Matthias Maute
Kevin Lau: Kimiko’s Pearl, Mariko Anraku, Conrad Chow, Ron Korb & Rachel Mercer
In an archipelago, Standing Wave
Classical album of the year (large ensemble)
Benedict Sheehan: Ukrainian War Requiem, Axios Men’s Ensemble, the Tenors and Basses of Pro Coro Canada conducted by Michael Zaugg featuring John Tessier and Yuliia Zasimova
Where Waters Meet, Canadian Chamber Choir featuring Sherryl Sewepagaham
Ichmouratov: The Ninth Wave, Viola Concerto No. 2, Cello Concerto No. 1, Les Violons du Roy conducted by Airat Ichmouratov featuring Elvira Misbakhova and Stéphane Tétreault
Haydn: Symphony No. 43 in E-Flat Major, Hob. I:43 “Mercury” & Symphony No. 49 in F Minor, Hob. I:49 “La passione,” Tafelmusik conducted by Rachel Podger
Stravinsky: Pulcinella, Le Baiser de la fée (Divertimento), Toronto Symphony Orchestra conducted by Gustavo Gimeno
Jazz album of the year (solo)
City Lights, Anthony D’Alessandro
Kinda Out West, Aretha Tillotson
Immersed, Justin Gray
Deeper Down, Nancy Walker
Crossing Paths, Renee Rosnes
Jazz album of the year (group)
Afrokando, Alexis Baro Y la Big Band
Code Red, Code Quartet
Are You Really Real, Shuffle Demons
Impact, the Steve Holt Jazz Impact Quintet
East Meets West: Connections, Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra
Vocal jazz album of the year
Under the Lemon Tree, Ale Nuñez
Alex Samaras Meets Judy Garland, Alex Samaras
Seascape feat. Norma Winstone & Joe LaBarbera, Atlantic Jazz Collective
Caity Gyorgy with Strings, Caity Gyorgy and Mark Limacher
Get Out of Town, Laura Anglade
Instrumental album of the year
Lotusland, Aaron Paris
The love it took to leave you, Colin Stetson
Ritual II, Crown Lands
Désert (deluxe), Jean-Michel Blais and Lara Somogyi
Who’s Driving You?, Tobi, Saukrates and Jully Black
Rap album/EP of the year
Keep Your Eye on the Sparrow, Ardn
About Time, Connor Price
Misery Loves Company, NorthSideBenji
Dry Cry, SadBoi
Elements Vol. 2, Tobi
Traditional R&B/soul recording of the year
Have a Baby (With Me), Daniel Caesar
**GOLIATH**, Jessie Reyez
Say Yes, Melanie Fiona
Formed, Savannah Ré
Reasons to Stay, Tanika Charles
Contemporary R&B recording of the year
Set Me Free, Adria Kain
Mirage, Avenoir
Son of Spergy, Daniel Caesar
Paid in Memories, Jessie Reyez
Life 2, Majid Jordan
Therapist, SadBoi
Reggae recording of the year
Ready For You, Exco Levi and Kheilstone
Dagga Riddim Cypher, Jojo You Made That, Yung 2nuff, Erin B, Topman Meeko, One Don & Enzooo
Deh Yah, Kirk Diamond
Welcome to Paradise, Naomi Cowan
More Reggae (Funk It Up), Samora and Ammoye
Children’s album of the year
Ari Cui Cui et les jeux d’rôles (Les contes classiques en musique), Ari Cui Cui
Little Leaf, Chris McKhool
All the Earth Speaks, Ginalina
Hip Kids Music, Vol. 1, Hip Kids Music
Maestro Fresh Wes Presents: Young Maestro “Rhyme Travellers – Back to the Time Machine,” Young Maestro
Comedy album of the year
Dragonflies, Adam Christie
Fish From the Jar, Charlie Demers
Dawud, Dave Merheje
Homesick., Faris Hytiaa
I’m Nervous, Robby Hoffman
Traditional Indigenous artist or group of the year
Battle at the Beach, Bad Eagle
On the Move, Bear Creek
Me & You, Manitou Mkwa Singers
Anirniliit Suli, Piunguałaq
Nakota Tayhunyabi, YB Nakota
Contemporary Indigenous artist or group of the year
Edge of the Earth, Aysanabee
Lovechild, Sebastian Gaskin
Chapter 1, Shawnee Kish
Siibii, Siibii
Sage My Soul, Tia Wood
Francophone album of the year
Dogue, Ariane Roy
On s’enverra des fleurs, Fredz
Les amours de seconde main, JF Pauzé
Journal d’un Loup-Garou, Lou-Adriane Cassidy
Dix chansons démodées pour ceux qui ont le cœur abîmé, Pierre Lapointe
Contemporary Christian/gospel album of the year
Vulnerable Too, Bridge Music
Outlaw Gospel, collect.assembly
The light that leads to you, Elenee
Where the Heart Is, Kofi Dartey
Jubilate, Ryan Ofei
Global music album of the year
Bab El Mdina, Didon
Ghoyoum, Kazdoura
Future Village, Kizaba
Legends, Piqsiq
Rammana, Salin
South Asian music recording of the year
Afsos, AP Dhillon and Anuv Jain
P-pop Culture, Karan Aujla
Renaissance, Ikky and Raf Saperra
Supreme, Shubh
By Any Means, Sukha
Album artwork of the year
Catherine Lepage (art director), Simon Rivest (art director), Daniel Lanois (illustrator), Norah Chassagne (illustrator), Régine Chassagne (illustrator, photographer): Pink Elephant, Arcade Fire
Jérôme Beaulieu (art director), Etienne Bonneville (designer), Chris de Muri (illustrator), Alina Herta (photographer): Beat Bouquet, Misc
Kevin Moore (art director), Kyle Joinson (photographer): Tsunami Sea, Spiritbox
Logan Dane Morrison (art director): The Hard Way, Cameron Whitcomb
Mykael Nelson (art director), Nicolas Lemieux (designer), Liliane Jodoin (illustrator), Felipe Arriagada (illustrator): Bambini Symphonique, Alain Trudel and Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal
Music video of the year
Bellatores, Adrian Villagomez (Apashe & Vladimir Cauchemar)
Driving, Adrian Villagomez (Eddie Benjamin)
Luther, Karena Evans (Kendrick Lamar, SZA)
OK!, Shiraz (Haviah Mighty)
Listen2me, Winston Hacking (Foxwarren)
Jack Richardson producer of the year
Cirkut: Apt. (co-producers Bruno Mars, Omer Fedi, Rogét Chahayed), from Apt., Rosé and Bruno Mars; Abracadabra (co-producers Andrew Watt, Lady Gaga), from Mayhem, Lady Gaga; Disease (co-producers Andrew Watt, Lady Gaga), from Mayhem, Lady Gaga; A Little More (co-producers Blake Slatkin, Ed Sheeran), from A Little More, Ed Sheeran; It Girl, (co-producer Lostboy), from It Girl, Jade; AEOMG (co-producer M-Phazes), from Why Not More?, Coco Jones
Greg Wells: Dancing Through Life (co-producers Stephen Schwartz, Stephen Oremus), from Wicked: The Soundtrack, Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Wicked movie cast; Defying Gravity (co-producer), from Wicked: The Soundtrack, Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Wicked movie cast; No One Mourns the Wicked (co-producers Stephen Schwartz, Stephen Oremus), from Wicked: The Soundtrack, Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Wicked movie cast; Popular (co-producer Stephen Schwartz, Stephen Oremus), from Wicked: The Soundtrack, Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Wicked movie cast; The Wizard and I (co-producers Stephen Schwartz, Stephen Oremus), from Wicked: The Soundtrack, Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Wicked movie cast; What Is This Feeling? (co-producers Stephen Schwartz, Stephen Oremus), from Wicked: The Soundtrack, Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Wicked movie cast
Gus van Go: Killed For Sport (co-producers Baby Nova, Lowell), from Killed For Sport, Baby Nova; Can I Call You in the Morning? (co-producer Lowell), from No Hard Feelings, the Beaches; Did I Say Too Much (co-producer Sam Willows), from No Hard Feelings, the Beaches; Last Girls at the Party (co-producers Aidan Hogg, Georgia Filpo), from No Hard Feelings, the Beaches; Fine, Let’s Get Married (co-producer Lowell), from No Hard Feelings, the Beaches; Too Pretty For Buffalo (co-producers Baby Nova, Lowell), from Too Pretty For Buffalo, Baby Nova
Joel Stouffer: Body, Shawn Desman and Jamie Fine; How to Sing for Money (co-producer Corey LeRue), from How to Sing for Money, Maggie Andrew; Lie (co-producer Shawn Hook), from Rebuild, Shawn Hook; Revelation (co-producer the Knocks), the Knocks, Dragonette; Talk About Me, from Talk About Me, Tedy Sony; Anyways How You Been?, from Was I(t) Worth It?, Sofia Camara
Karen Kosowski: Feels Like Christmas and Sugar Cookie, from Feels Like Christmas, Mickey Guyton; Blood From a Stone, Stoned Alone feat. Caitlyn Smith, Jessica, Jezebel from Golden Child, Meghan Patrick; You Don’t Know Me At All, from You Don’t Know Me At All, Mickey Guyton
Recording engineer of the year
Jason Dufour: Home (Phillip’s Version), from Home (Phillip’s Version), Phillip Phillips; Blue Sky Mystery feat. Filter, from Last Night on Earth, Finger Eleven
John “Beetle” Bailey: All I See feat. Cube, from All I See, Molly Johnson; Smoke ‘Em If You Got ‘Em, from Crashbox, Monkey House
L Stu Young: ..Thus Is Why (I Don’t Spring for Love), from Saya, Saya Gray; Lie Down.., from Saya, Saya Gray
Serban Ghenea: The Fate of Ophelia, from The Life of a Showgirl, Taylor Swift; That’s So True, from The Secret of Us, Gracie Abrams
Shawn Everett: 12 to 12, from 12 to 12, sombr; End of the World, from Something Beautiful, Miley Cyrus
Classical composition of the year
Cloud Path, Amy Brandon
The Laws of Nature, Andrew Staniland
Kevin Lau: Kimiko’s Pearl, Kevin Lau
Linda Catlin Smith: The Complete Piano Solos (1989-2023) Vol. 1 – The Plains, Linda Catlin Smith
Music for Body-Without-Organs, Nicole Lizée
Songwriter of the year
Ashton Simmonds (Daniel Caesar): Call On Me (co-songwriters Eric Donaldson, Isaac Stalling, Jordan Evans, Matthew Burnett, Rami Dawod); Moon feat. Bon Iver (co-songwriters Dylan Wiggins, Isaac Stalling, Justin Vernon, Matthew Burnett, Rami Dawod, Simon Axel Hessman); Who Knows (co-songwriters Alex O’Connor, Dylan Wiggins, Justin Vernon, Matthew Burnett, Mustafa Ahmed, Romil Hemnani)
Jessie Reyez: **CUDN’T B ME**; **GOLIATH** (co-songwriters Gamal Kosh Lewis, Jeff Gitelman, Jordan K. Johnson, Stefan Johnson); Ocean (co-songwriters Burns, Calvin Harris)
Justin Bieber: Daisies (co-songwriters Carter Lang, Daniel Chetrit, Dijon Duenas, Dylan Wiggins, Eddie Benjamin, Tobias Jesso Jr., Michael Gordon); Speed Demon (co-songwriters Carter Lang, Daniel Chetrit, Dylan Wiggins, Eddie Benjamin, Jackson Lee Morgan, Tobias Jesso Jr.); Yukon (co-songwriters Carter Lang, David White, Daniel Chetrit, Dijon Duenas, Dylan Wiggins, John Madara, Kejuan Waliek Muchita, Marshall Mathers, Robert M. Crawford, Tauheed Epps)
Tate McRae: Purple lace bra (co-songwriters Amy Allen, Emile Haynie); Revolving door (co-songwriters Grant Boutin, Julia Michaels, Ryan Tedder); Sports car (co-songwriters Grant Boutin, Julia Michaels, Ryan Tedder)
The Beaches: Can I Call You in the Morning? (co-songwriters Gus Van Go, Elizabeth Lowell Boland); Did I Say Too Much (co-songwriters Karah McGillivray, Gus Van Go, Sam Willows, Zale Epstein); Lesbian of the Year (co-songwriters Sam Willows, Zale Epstein)
Songwriter of the year (non-performer)
Elizabeth Lowell Boland: World’s Smallest Violin (co-songwriters Amanda Ava Koci, Arthur Remond, Hamid Bashir, Kyle Buckley, Lolo), from Don’t Click Play, Ava Max; Girls Like You (co-songwriters Donny Bravo, Michael Wise, Nathan Ferraro, Sofia Camara), from Hard to Love, by Sofia Camara; Too Pretty For Buffalo (co-songwriters Gus Van Go, Kayleigh O’Connor), from Too Pretty For Buffalo, Baby Nova
Hayley Gene Penner: Small Hands feat. Raiche (co-songwriters Eren Cannata, Jaten Dimsdale, Jett Gitelman, Skyler Stonestreet), from I’ve Tried Everything But Therapy, Teddy Swims; West End Girl (co-songwriters Alessandro Bruccellati, Blue May, Lily Cooper), from West End Girl, Lily Allen; Woman of Faces (co-songwriters Jamie Hartman, Celeste, Kiddo, Matt Maltese), from Woman of Faces, Celeste
Mustafa: Rearrange My World (co-songwriters Alexander O’Conner, Ashton Simmonds, Devonte Hynes), Daniel Caesar and Rex Orange County; Have A Baby (With Me) (co-songwriters Bobby Dixon, Ashton Simmons, Bradley Brown, Dalton Brown, Dave Richards, Jordan Evans, Les McCan, Miguel Orlando Collins, Paul Heaton, Teo Halm), from Son of Spergy, Daniel Caesar; There’s a Field (That’s Only Yours) (co-songwriters Alexander O’Conner, Ashton Simmonds), Daniel Caesar and Rex Orange County
Nathan Ferraro: After You feat. Faangs (co-songwriters Mikkel Cox, Christophe Dalla-Ca, David Guetta, Faangs, Feli Ferraro, Heavy Mellow, Olivier Giacamotto, Tobias Frederiksen), David Guetta, Kiko, Olivier Giacomotto; Girls Like You (co-songwriters Donny Bravo, Michael Wise, Elizabeth Lowell Boland, Sofia Camara), from Hard to Love, Sofia Camara; Parking Lot (co-songwriters Sofia Camara, Elizabeth Lowell Boland, Mike Wise), from Hard to Love, Sofia Camara
Tobias Jesso Jr.: La Yugular (co-songwriters David Rodriguez, Dylan Wiggins, Elliot Kozel, Noah Goldstein, Rosalía), from Lux, Rosalía; Daisies (co-songwriters Carter Lang, Daniel Chetrit, Dijon Duenas, Dylan Wiggins, Eddie Benjamin, Justin Bieber, Michael Gordon), from Swag II, Justin Bieber; Man I Need (co-songwriters Olivia Dean, Zachary Nahome), from The Art of Loving, Olivia Dean
Latin music recording of the year
Índole, Alex Cuba
Baila y Confía, Andy Rubal
Vanity, Isabella Lovestory
La Belleza, Lido Pimienta
He Sanado Varias Cosas, Mario Puglia
JUNO AWARD NOMINEES 2026
TD Juno Fan Choice Award
Bbno$
Cameron Whitcomb
James Barker Band
Josh Ross
Justin Bieber
Karan Aujla
Shawn Mendes
Shubh
Tate McRae
The Weeknd
Single of the year
Options, Cameron Whitcomb
Hate How You Look, Josh Ross
Daisies, Justin Bieber
Sports Car, Tate McRae
Cry For Me, The Weeknd
Album of the year
The Hard Way, Cameron Whitcomb
Later Tonight,Josh Ross
Swag II, Justin Bieber
So Close to What, Tate McRae
Hurry Up Tomorrow, the Weeknd
Breakthrough artist or group of the year
Cameron Whitcomb
Goldie Boutilier
Jade LeMac
Jutes
Mico
Noeline Hofmann
Sacha
Saya Gray
Sofia Camara
Yung kai
Artist of the year
Bbno$
Daniel Caesar
Justin Bieber
Tate McRae
The Weeknd
Group of the year
Arcade Fire
Mother Mother
Peach Pit
The Beaches
Three Days Grace
Classical album of the year (solo artist)
Tchaikovsky: The Seasons, Bruce Liu
Zaytoun, Haitham Haidar
Preludes by Chopin, Bach, Rachmaninoff, Messiaen, Górecki, Jan Lisiecki
Awake and Dreaming, Katherine Dowling
Obsession, Marie Nadeau-Tremblay
Classical album of the year (small ensemble)
Current: Missing, ATOM (Artists of the Opera Missing), Timothy Long & the Continuum Ensemble
Re/String, CC Duo & collectif9
Vivaldi Les Quatres Nations (reconstruites), Ensemble Caprice sous la direction de Matthias Maute
Kevin Lau: Kimiko’s Pearl, Mariko Anraku, Conrad Chow, Ron Korb & Rachel Mercer
In an archipelago, Standing Wave
Classical album of the year (large ensemble)
Benedict Sheehan: Ukrainian War Requiem, Axios Men’s Ensemble, the Tenors and Basses of Pro Coro Canada conducted by Michael Zaugg featuring John Tessier and Yuliia Zasimova
Where Waters Meet, Canadian Chamber Choir featuring Sherryl Sewepagaham
Ichmouratov: The Ninth Wave, Viola Concerto No. 2, Cello Concerto No. 1, Les Violons du Roy conducted by Airat Ichmouratov featuring Elvira Misbakhova and Stéphane Tétreault
Haydn: Symphony No. 43 in E-Flat Major, Hob. I:43 “Mercury” & Symphony No. 49 in F Minor, Hob. I:49 “La passione,” Tafelmusik conducted by Rachel Podger
Stravinsky: Pulcinella, Le Baiser de la fée (Divertimento), Toronto Symphony Orchestra conducted by Gustavo Gimeno
Jazz album of the year (solo)
City Lights, Anthony D’Alessandro
Kinda Out West, Aretha Tillotson
Immersed, Justin Gray
Deeper Down, Nancy Walker
Crossing Paths, Renee Rosnes
Jazz album of the year (group)
Afrokando, Alexis Baro Y la Big Band
Code Red, Code Quartet
Are You Really Real, Shuffle Demons
Impact, the Steve Holt Jazz Impact Quintet
East Meets West: Connections, Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra
Vocal jazz album of the year
Under the Lemon Tree, Ale Nuñez
Alex Samaras Meets Judy Garland, Alex Samaras
Seascape feat. Norma Winstone & Joe LaBarbera, Atlantic Jazz Collective
Caity Gyorgy with Strings, Caity Gyorgy and Mark Limacher
Get Out of Town, Laura Anglade
Instrumental album of the year
Lotusland, Aaron Paris
The love it took to leave you, Colin Stetson
Ritual II, Crown Lands
Désert (deluxe), Jean-Michel Blais and Lara Somogyi
Who’s Driving You?, Tobi, Saukrates and Jully Black
Rap album/EP of the year
Keep Your Eye on the Sparrow, Ardn
About Time, Connor Price
Misery Loves Company, NorthSideBenji
Dry Cry, SadBoi
Elements Vol. 2, Tobi
Traditional R&B/soul recording of the year
Have a Baby (With Me), Daniel Caesar
**GOLIATH**, Jessie Reyez
Say Yes, Melanie Fiona
Formed, Savannah Ré
Reasons to Stay, Tanika Charles
Contemporary R&B recording of the year
Set Me Free, Adria Kain
Mirage, Avenoir
Son of Spergy, Daniel Caesar
Paid in Memories, Jessie Reyez
Life 2, Majid Jordan
Therapist, SadBoi
Reggae recording of the year
Ready For You, Exco Levi and Kheilstone
Dagga Riddim Cypher, Jojo You Made That, Yung 2nuff, Erin B, Topman Meeko, One Don & Enzooo
Deh Yah, Kirk Diamond
Welcome to Paradise, Naomi Cowan
More Reggae (Funk It Up), Samora and Ammoye
Children’s album of the year
Ari Cui Cui et les jeux d’rôles (Les contes classiques en musique), Ari Cui Cui
Little Leaf, Chris McKhool
All the Earth Speaks, Ginalina
Hip Kids Music, Vol. 1, Hip Kids Music
Maestro Fresh Wes Presents: Young Maestro “Rhyme Travellers – Back to the Time Machine,” Young Maestro
Comedy album of the year
Dragonflies, Adam Christie
Fish From the Jar, Charlie Demers
Dawud, Dave Merheje
Homesick., Faris Hytiaa
I’m Nervous, Robby Hoffman
Traditional Indigenous artist or group of the year
Battle at the Beach, Bad Eagle
On the Move, Bear Creek
Me & You, Manitou Mkwa Singers
Anirniliit Suli, Piunguałaq
Nakota Tayhunyabi, YB Nakota
Contemporary Indigenous artist or group of the year
Edge of the Earth, Aysanabee
Lovechild, Sebastian Gaskin
Chapter 1, Shawnee Kish
Siibii, Siibii
Sage My Soul, Tia Wood
Francophone album of the year
Dogue, Ariane Roy
On s’enverra des fleurs, Fredz
Les amours de seconde main, JF Pauzé
Journal d’un Loup-Garou, Lou-Adriane Cassidy
Dix chansons démodées pour ceux qui ont le cœur abîmé, Pierre Lapointe
Contemporary Christian/gospel album of the year
Vulnerable Too, Bridge Music
Outlaw Gospel, collect.assembly
The light that leads to you, Elenee
Where the Heart Is, Kofi Dartey
Jubilate, Ryan Ofei
Global music album of the year
Bab El Mdina, Didon
Ghoyoum, Kazdoura
Future Village, Kizaba
Legends, Piqsiq
Rammana, Salin
South Asian music recording of the year
Afsos, AP Dhillon and Anuv Jain
P-pop Culture, Karan Aujla
Renaissance, Ikky and Raf Saperra
Supreme, Shubh
By Any Means, Sukha
Album artwork of the year
Catherine Lepage (art director), Simon Rivest (art director), Daniel Lanois (illustrator), Norah Chassagne (illustrator), Régine Chassagne (illustrator, photographer): Pink Elephant, Arcade Fire
Jérôme Beaulieu (art director), Etienne Bonneville (designer), Chris de Muri (illustrator), Alina Herta (photographer): Beat Bouquet, Misc
Kevin Moore (art director), Kyle Joinson (photographer): Tsunami Sea, Spiritbox
Logan Dane Morrison (art director): The Hard Way, Cameron Whitcomb
Mykael Nelson (art director), Nicolas Lemieux (designer), Liliane Jodoin (illustrator), Felipe Arriagada (illustrator): Bambini Symphonique, Alain Trudel and Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal
Music video of the year
Bellatores, Adrian Villagomez (Apashe & Vladimir Cauchemar)
Driving, Adrian Villagomez (Eddie Benjamin)
Luther, Karena Evans (Kendrick Lamar, SZA)
OK!, Shiraz (Haviah Mighty)
Listen2me, Winston Hacking (Foxwarren)
Jack Richardson producer of the year
Cirkut: Apt. (co-producers Bruno Mars, Omer Fedi, Rogét Chahayed), from Apt., Rosé and Bruno Mars; Abracadabra (co-producers Andrew Watt, Lady Gaga), from Mayhem, Lady Gaga; Disease (co-producers Andrew Watt, Lady Gaga), from Mayhem, Lady Gaga; A Little More (co-producers Blake Slatkin, Ed Sheeran), from A Little More, Ed Sheeran; It Girl, (co-producer Lostboy), from It Girl, Jade; AEOMG (co-producer M-Phazes), from Why Not More?, Coco Jones
Greg Wells: Dancing Through Life (co-producers Stephen Schwartz, Stephen Oremus), from Wicked: The Soundtrack, Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Wicked movie cast; Defying Gravity (co-producer), from Wicked: The Soundtrack, Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Wicked movie cast; No One Mourns the Wicked (co-producers Stephen Schwartz, Stephen Oremus), from Wicked: The Soundtrack, Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Wicked movie cast; Popular (co-producer Stephen Schwartz, Stephen Oremus), from Wicked: The Soundtrack, Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Wicked movie cast; The Wizard and I (co-producers Stephen Schwartz, Stephen Oremus), from Wicked: The Soundtrack, Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Wicked movie cast; What Is This Feeling? (co-producers Stephen Schwartz, Stephen Oremus), from Wicked: The Soundtrack, Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Wicked movie cast
Gus van Go: Killed For Sport (co-producers Baby Nova, Lowell), from Killed For Sport, Baby Nova; Can I Call You in the Morning? (co-producer Lowell), from No Hard Feelings, the Beaches; Did I Say Too Much (co-producer Sam Willows), from No Hard Feelings, the Beaches; Last Girls at the Party (co-producers Aidan Hogg, Georgia Filpo), from No Hard Feelings, the Beaches; Fine, Let’s Get Married (co-producer Lowell), from No Hard Feelings, the Beaches; Too Pretty For Buffalo (co-producers Baby Nova, Lowell), from Too Pretty For Buffalo, Baby Nova
Joel Stouffer: Body, Shawn Desman and Jamie Fine; How to Sing for Money (co-producer Corey LeRue), from How to Sing for Money, Maggie Andrew; Lie (co-producer Shawn Hook), from Rebuild, Shawn Hook; Revelation (co-producer the Knocks), the Knocks, Dragonette; Talk About Me, from Talk About Me, Tedy Sony; Anyways How You Been?, from Was I(t) Worth It?, Sofia Camara
Karen Kosowski: Feels Like Christmas and Sugar Cookie, from Feels Like Christmas, Mickey Guyton; Blood From a Stone, Stoned Alone feat. Caitlyn Smith, Jessica, Jezebel from Golden Child, Meghan Patrick; You Don’t Know Me At All, from You Don’t Know Me At All, Mickey Guyton
Recording engineer of the year
Jason Dufour: Home (Phillip’s Version), from Home (Phillip’s Version), Phillip Phillips; Blue Sky Mystery feat. Filter, from Last Night on Earth, Finger Eleven
John “Beetle” Bailey: All I See feat. Cube, from All I See, Molly Johnson; Smoke ‘Em If You Got ‘Em, from Crashbox, Monkey House
L Stu Young: ..Thus Is Why (I Don’t Spring for Love), from Saya, Saya Gray; Lie Down.., from Saya, Saya Gray
Serban Ghenea: The Fate of Ophelia, from The Life of a Showgirl, Taylor Swift; That’s So True, from The Secret of Us, Gracie Abrams
Shawn Everett: 12 to 12, from 12 to 12, sombr; End of the World, from Something Beautiful, Miley Cyrus
Classical composition of the year
Cloud Path, Amy Brandon
The Laws of Nature, Andrew Staniland
Kevin Lau: Kimiko’s Pearl, Kevin Lau
Linda Catlin Smith: The Complete Piano Solos (1989-2023) Vol. 1 – The Plains, Linda Catlin Smith
Music for Body-Without-Organs, Nicole Lizée
Songwriter of the year
Ashton Simmonds (Daniel Caesar): Call On Me (co-songwriters Eric Donaldson, Isaac Stalling, Jordan Evans, Matthew Burnett, Rami Dawod); Moon feat. Bon Iver (co-songwriters Dylan Wiggins, Isaac Stalling, Justin Vernon, Matthew Burnett, Rami Dawod, Simon Axel Hessman); Who Knows (co-songwriters Alex O’Connor, Dylan Wiggins, Justin Vernon, Matthew Burnett, Mustafa Ahmed, Romil Hemnani)
Jessie Reyez: **CUDN’T B ME**; **GOLIATH** (co-songwriters Gamal Kosh Lewis, Jeff Gitelman, Jordan K. Johnson, Stefan Johnson); Ocean (co-songwriters Burns, Calvin Harris)
Justin Bieber: Daisies (co-songwriters Carter Lang, Daniel Chetrit, Dijon Duenas, Dylan Wiggins, Eddie Benjamin, Tobias Jesso Jr., Michael Gordon); Speed Demon (co-songwriters Carter Lang, Daniel Chetrit, Dylan Wiggins, Eddie Benjamin, Jackson Lee Morgan, Tobias Jesso Jr.); Yukon (co-songwriters Carter Lang, David White, Daniel Chetrit, Dijon Duenas, Dylan Wiggins, John Madara, Kejuan Waliek Muchita, Marshall Mathers, Robert M. Crawford, Tauheed Epps)
Tate McRae: Purple lace bra (co-songwriters Amy Allen, Emile Haynie); Revolving door (co-songwriters Grant Boutin, Julia Michaels, Ryan Tedder); Sports car (co-songwriters Grant Boutin, Julia Michaels, Ryan Tedder)
The Beaches: Can I Call You in the Morning? (co-songwriters Gus Van Go, Elizabeth Lowell Boland); Did I Say Too Much (co-songwriters Karah McGillivray, Gus Van Go, Sam Willows, Zale Epstein); Lesbian of the Year (co-songwriters Sam Willows, Zale Epstein)
Songwriter of the year (non-performer)
Elizabeth Lowell Boland: World’s Smallest Violin (co-songwriters Amanda Ava Koci, Arthur Remond, Hamid Bashir, Kyle Buckley, Lolo), from Don’t Click Play, Ava Max; Girls Like You (co-songwriters Donny Bravo, Michael Wise, Nathan Ferraro, Sofia Camara), from Hard to Love, by Sofia Camara; Too Pretty For Buffalo (co-songwriters Gus Van Go, Kayleigh O’Connor), from Too Pretty For Buffalo, Baby Nova
Hayley Gene Penner: Small Hands feat. Raiche (co-songwriters Eren Cannata, Jaten Dimsdale, Jett Gitelman, Skyler Stonestreet), from I’ve Tried Everything But Therapy, Teddy Swims; West End Girl (co-songwriters Alessandro Bruccellati, Blue May, Lily Cooper), from West End Girl, Lily Allen; Woman of Faces (co-songwriters Jamie Hartman, Celeste, Kiddo, Matt Maltese), from Woman of Faces, Celeste
Mustafa: Rearrange My World (co-songwriters Alexander O’Conner, Ashton Simmonds, Devonte Hynes), Daniel Caesar and Rex Orange County; Have A Baby (With Me) (co-songwriters Bobby Dixon, Ashton Simmons, Bradley Brown, Dalton Brown, Dave Richards, Jordan Evans, Les McCan, Miguel Orlando Collins, Paul Heaton, Teo Halm), from Son of Spergy, Daniel Caesar; There’s a Field (That’s Only Yours) (co-songwriters Alexander O’Conner, Ashton Simmonds), Daniel Caesar and Rex Orange County
Nathan Ferraro: After You feat. Faangs (co-songwriters Mikkel Cox, Christophe Dalla-Ca, David Guetta, Faangs, Feli Ferraro, Heavy Mellow, Olivier Giacamotto, Tobias Frederiksen), David Guetta, Kiko, Olivier Giacomotto; Girls Like You (co-songwriters Donny Bravo, Michael Wise, Elizabeth Lowell Boland, Sofia Camara), from Hard to Love, Sofia Camara; Parking Lot (co-songwriters Sofia Camara, Elizabeth Lowell Boland, Mike Wise), from Hard to Love, Sofia Camara
Tobias Jesso Jr.: La Yugular (co-songwriters David Rodriguez, Dylan Wiggins, Elliot Kozel, Noah Goldstein, Rosalía), from Lux, Rosalía; Daisies (co-songwriters Carter Lang, Daniel Chetrit, Dijon Duenas, Dylan Wiggins, Eddie Benjamin, Justin Bieber, Michael Gordon), from Swag II, Justin Bieber; Man I Need (co-songwriters Olivia Dean, Zachary Nahome), from The Art of Loving, Olivia Dean
Kris Klaasen started writing music reviews in Calgary for college and university papers as well as the Calgary Herald. He also wrote occasional record reviews for the Georgia Straight in the 80s.
A lifelong communicator and music enthusiast, Kris has been involved with the Vancouver Folk Music Festival in various capacities for more than 35 years and has recently been studying African hand drumming. He's also a pretty good whistler.
The photo shows Kris and his daughter at VFMF.
