Awards held December 2, 2023 in Saskatoon
by SaskMusic
December 2, 2023 in SaskMusic News
The 2023 Saskatchewan Music Award Winners (Saskatoon) For Immediate Release December 2, 2023
The sixth annual Saskatchewan Music Awards were held tonight, celebrating the Saskatchewan music industry in a packed show at the iconic Broadway Theatre in Saskatoon. Awards in twenty-one categories were handed out, accompanied by performances from current and former SMA nominees Adéola, Eliza Mary Doyle, Greenwing, Grimelda, Patrick Moon Bird, Thinktank, and youth performers Halle Ponton and Rebecca Strong. Halle and Rebecca were selected after a call was put out for youth performers, as a way of encouraging our talented emerging artists.
The show was opened by a special performance of the Treaty 6 Flag Song by Aaron Tootoosis, and a blessing given by Joseph Naytowhow and Cheryl L’Hirondelle. A highlight of the evening was the tribute to our Indigenous Music Achievement Award honouree, Edmund Bull, led by Ted Whitecalf, with Bull himself performing a song.
A leader amongst music makers in the province, Edmund Bull of Little Pine First Nation is known far and wide as the head singer and drumkeeper for the award-winning Red Bull Singers, as well as being an accomplished solo artist in the country genre. Under his leadership, Red Bull achieved acclaim as one of the top pow-wow groups in North America, thrilling dancers and audiences around the globe for over 25 years, while releasing more than a dozen albums. Accompanied by the Red Bull Singers, Edmund has performed throughout Canada, the United States and Europe. As he developed his skills as a musician in both traditional and contemporary music, Edmund created a unique style and sound, singing and writing music that has inspired and uplifted listeners. Edmund has been named Best Male Artist, and Red Bull received the award for Pow Wow Recording, from the Native American Music Awards (including Red Bull performing at the inaugural NAMA event in 1998); as well, the Red Bull Singers were nominated for JUNO Awards for “Best Music of Aboriginal Canada Recording” in 1996 and 2000. Edmund continues to perform, including recently sharing a song at the Elders National Conference in Edmonton.
Read the full story here: https://www.saskmusic.org/news/the-latest/view,article/7452/the-2023-saskatchewan-music-award-winners