2021 AWARD NOMINEE
ROOTS ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Julian Taylor
The Ridge
Julian Taylor enjoyed a breakthrough year in 2020, when his second solo acoustic album, The Ridge, earned more than two million plays on Spotify, praise from press worldwide, and airplay from America to Australia to the U.K. The title song and first single from the album – which hit #1 on the Indigenous Music Countdown in Canada, among other accolades – premiered at American Songwriter magazine, which said, “Lush… poignant… Lyrically… brilliantly… ‘The Ridge’ exudes innocence.” Exclaim! Magazine said, “Julian Taylor strides along in The Ridge, weaving masterful lyricism with songs as warm as the summer breeze.” Glide Magazine wrote, “The songs on The Ridge deal with themes that are especially poignant at this unbelievable time in history as Taylor draws from love, loss, and a yearning desire for the human race to prevail against numerous hardships.”
Taylor was the artist of the month in November 2020 in The Bluegrass Situation’s Shout and Shine series, and the album was also heavily supported by SiriusXM Radio and Stingray Music. In addition to the recent JUNO nominations for Contemporary Roots Album of the Year and Indigenous Artist or Group of the Year, Taylor was also nominated for two Canadian Folk Music Awards for The Ridge, in the Solo Artist of the Year category and the English Songwriter of the Year category. Taylor was set to perform at the Awards as well.
The introspective, and often tender, content of The Ridge, independently released on Taylor’s own Howling Turtle label, is perfectly encapsulated and enhanced by a brilliant cast of sympatico musicians. The compelling combination of piano, fiddle, and pedal steel is most often provided by Derek Downham, Miranda Mullholland, and Burke Carroll, respectively. It’s also something of a family affair, as Taylor’s band includes cousins from Kahnawake, Quebec, Barry Diabo on bass and Gene Diabo on drums/congas. Also featured are Sheila Carabine and Amanda Walther (DALA) on backing vocals, Kevin Fox on cello, and Saam Hashemi on percussion.
Taylor, of combined Mohawk and Caribbean ancestry, is a major label veteran, Toronto music scene staple, and musical chameleon. His versatility as a songwriter is signature; one minute he’s onstage playing with his band spilling out electrified rhythm and blues glory, and the next he’s featured at a folk festival delivering a captivating solo singer-songwriter set.
Taylor was the artist of the month in November 2020 in The Bluegrass Situation’s Shout and Shine series, and the album was also heavily supported by SiriusXM Radio and Stingray Music. In addition to the recent JUNO nominations for Contemporary Roots Album of the Year and Indigenous Artist or Group of the Year, Taylor was also nominated for two Canadian Folk Music Awards for The Ridge, in the Solo Artist of the Year category and the English Songwriter of the Year category. Taylor was set to perform at the Awards as well.
The introspective, and often tender, content of The Ridge, independently released on Taylor’s own Howling Turtle label, is perfectly encapsulated and enhanced by a brilliant cast of sympatico musicians. The compelling combination of piano, fiddle, and pedal steel is most often provided by Derek Downham, Miranda Mullholland, and Burke Carroll, respectively. It’s also something of a family affair, as Taylor’s band includes cousins from Kahnawake, Quebec, Barry Diabo on bass and Gene Diabo on drums/congas. Also featured are Sheila Carabine and Amanda Walther (DALA) on backing vocals, Kevin Fox on cello, and Saam Hashemi on percussion.
Taylor, of combined Mohawk and Caribbean ancestry, is a major label veteran, Toronto music scene staple, and musical chameleon. His versatility as a songwriter is signature; one minute he’s onstage playing with his band spilling out electrified rhythm and blues glory, and the next he’s featured at a folk festival delivering a captivating solo singer-songwriter set.
Proudly supported by
