"An exceptional songwriter and singer."
- John McLaughlin (The Province, Vancouver)
"A roots music expert."
-Roger Levesque (Edmonton Journal)
“A multi-instrumentalist and singer of vast talent"
- Brad Wheeler (The Globe and Mail)
Michael Jerome Browne, Canadian Solo Folk Artist of the Year in 2008, Maple Blues Acoustic Artist Award Winner, International Blues Challenge Semi-Finalist, Three time Juno Award Nominee in both the roots and blues categories. Michael is a multi-instumentalist, a songwriter, and a living encyclopedia of American Roots music.
Whether he's gliding a slide across his national guitar, pulling his bow over the fiddle strings to play a lively Cajun waltz, or frailing away on his gourd banjo Michael's passion and virtuosity always shine through. In the true tradition of folk music, his performances inspire us to see the interconnections between the many cultures and influences that gave birth to American Roots Music. Gospel, Blues, Old-Time, Country, Soul and Cajun, expect to hear all of this and more from a performer who's been called a street-smart archivist and an absolute treasure.
Born in South Bend, Indiana, Michael is the son of English professors whose love of music and poetry inspired them to take their nine year old son to the great jazz, blues and folk clubs in their adopted home of Montreal. By the age of fourteen, MJB was already a regular on the vibrant folk and coffee house scene adding banjo, fiddle, and mandolin to his masterful command of all variety of guitars and harmonica.
A musician's musician, when he isn't performing his own material he is in demand backing up and recording with artists such as: Eric Bibb, Jordan Officer, and Susie Arioli.
Michael Jerome Browne has three previous releases, all of them JUNO nominated.
“Double” (2007) includes an exciting live electric set, plus a reissue of the Juno-nominated “Michael Jerome Browne” (1998), an accomplished debut album highlighting MJB’s musical influences, from Big Bill Broonzy to David Byrne. MJB lays down amazing guitar, banjo, fiddle, harmonica, and vocals, all live off the floor.
“Michael Jerome Browne and The Twin Rivers String Band” (2004) unleashes Michael’s passion for old-time string band, Cajun and classic country music. A stunning assortment of fiddles, banjos, lap-steel guitars, mandolins, Cajun triangles and yodels.
“Drive On” (2001). A life-long love affair with blues and early jazz results in a seamless blend of original, public domain, and new interpretations.
www.myspace.com/michaeljeromebrowne
www.sonicbids.com/michaeljeromebrowne
Previous Awards, Nominations and Achievements:
2009 - nomination for "Acoustic Act of the Year" at the Maple Blues Awards
2008 - recipient of "Solo Artist of the Year" at the Canadian Folk Music Awards
2007 - nomination for "Acoustic Act of the Year" at the Maple Blues Awards
2005 - "Michael Jerome Browne & the Twin Rivers String Band" nominated for a JUNO award in the category "Best Roots & Traditional Album- Solo"
2004 - recipient of "Folqui" Award from Folquébec
2004 - nominations for 2 Maple Blues Awards
2002 - nominations for 7 Maple Blues Awards!
2001- recipient of "Acoustic Act of the Year" at the Maple Blues Awards
2001 - "Drive On" nominated for a JUNO award in the "Best Blues Album" category
1999 - "Michael Jerome Browne" (first album) nominated for a JUNO award in the "Best Blues Album" category
1998 - recipient of "Best Acoustic Artist" award from Real Blues Magazine
Michael Jerome Browne has had a total of 17 Maple Blues nominations since 1999, in the following categories: Acoustic Act, Male Vocalist, Guitarist, Songwriter, Producer, Recording, and Entertainer of the Year!
