TORONTO — Canadian blues musician Steve Marriner has earned a 2026 nomination for Blues Album of the Year at the JUNO Awards for his latest solo release, Hear My Heart, capping a year of commercial success and reinforcing his position as one of the country’s most influential blues artists.
Released through Cordova Bay Records, the album reached No. 1 on the Roots Music Report Canada Album Chart and ranked among the Top 10 at CKUA radio. It also finished as the most-played album of 2025 on Canada’s Big Blues Chart, underscoring both its audience reach and industry traction.
The nomination marks Marriner’s third solo recognition from the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, following his 2022 nod for Hope Dies Last. Beyond his solo work, Marriner is widely known as co-founder and frontman of MonkeyJunk, with whom he won two JUNO Awards for Blues Album of the Year.
MonkeyJunk also broke international ground when the band became the first Canadian act to win a Blues Music Award in Memphis, elevating Canada’s profile in a genre long dominated by American performers.
Marriner, who grew up in Ottawa and is now based in Toronto, has built a career spanning more than two decades of touring, recording, and producing. Known for his versatility, he plays harmonica, guitar, and bass, in addition to singing and producing records. His multi-instrumental abilities have earned him the nickname “The Swiss Army Knife” among peers and collaborators.
That versatility is on full display in Hear My Heart, where Marriner handles multiple musical roles, contributing to the album’s layered sound and personal tone. The project reflects both artistic growth and adherence to blues traditions, blending emotional storytelling with technical precision.
Marriner’s influence extends beyond his own recordings. In 2025, he produced Yeah! by David Gogo and This Old Life by Big Dave McLean. Both albums received JUNO nominations for Blues Album of the Year, highlighting Marriner’s parallel impact as a producer shaping contemporary Canadian blues.
Industry observers note that producing two JUNO-nominated albums in one year and receiving his own nomination the following year reflects his deep involvement in the genre’s creative and commercial ecosystem.
Over his career, Marriner has collaborated with prominent artists including Buddy Guy, Randy Bachman, and Colin James. Those partnerships have expanded his musical range and cemented his reputation as a highly regarded collaborator within both Canadian and international blues circles.
His sustained output and work ethic have drawn strong praise within the industry. Marriner “sits at or near the top of the list as “Canada’s hardest working person in show biz,” a title earned through dedication and an insatiable appetite for musical exploration.”
The JUNO nomination adds to a period of momentum driven by chart performance, touring, and continued studio work. Songs such as “Straight Line,” part of the Hear My Heart project, illustrate Marriner’s continued willingness to evolve artistically while staying rooted in traditional blues forms.
For Canada’s music sector, Marriner’s success also reflects the growing international competitiveness of Canadian blues artists. His career trajectory—from domestic recognition to international awards and ongoing national acclaim—demonstrates both the strength of the country’s blues scene and its commercial viability.
As Marriner continues to record and perform, his latest nomination positions him once again among Canada’s top blues talents. With Hear My Heart, he adds another milestone to a career defined by consistent output, cross-industry influence, and a commitment to preserving and advancing blues music in Canada and beyond.