ThinkTank Music Network

“They are poised for worldwide recognition in a brilliant and unique genre-bending ride through American blues and folk, Gypsy jazz, Native American themes, jump blues, swing and more.” - Duke Robillard (Roomful of Blues, Fabulous Thunderbirds), Award-winning guitar player and producer

Blue Moon Marquee writes and performs original compositions influenced by anything that swings, jumps or grooves. A.W. Cardinal (vocals/guitar) and Jasmine Colette a.k.a. Badlands Jass (vocals/bass/drums) have played for a vast gamut of crowds at jazz clubs, Lindy Hop dance halls, folk venues, blues haunts, hospitals, prisons, markets, motorcycle joints, dive bars and prestigious festival stages. Colette not only commands the upright bass but also brings the rhythm with her feet on a custom foot drum kit, all while singing in her signature honey-dipped tone. Cardinal’s distinctive and soulful vocals barrel out like a raging bull while his guitar crackles with the swinging energy of jazz-tinged blues.

The result of 9 years of rigorous touring, crisscrossing Europe and North America, is a distinct energy and style from this acclaimed duo. Carving a path through blues, jazz, jump jive, folk, country, swing, and Indigenous soul with an authentic spirit, their sound does not idle easily in one certain category. It stomps and struts through the wilds, conjuring a blend where Howlin’ Wolf tangos with Django, Earnest Tubb shoots firecrackers with Cab Calloway, and Memphis Minnie throws dice with Screamin’ Jay Hawkins. Their gift is bringing all these elements together without anything sounding out of step. They collect the roots and smoothly braid them with lyrics that often touch on the underbelly of society, woven with elements of Indigenous storytelling and poetic cadence.

"Blue Moon Marquee has its own completely original style. Modern Blues doesn't really get any better than this. This is a tremendous sound by a hugely talented duo” says American Roots UK.

They are the first artist in over 20 years to receive a JUNO nod for Blues Album of the Year in two consecutive years. This time for New Orleans Sessions (2024 release), a spectacular album featuring 10 tracks all recorded live-off-the-floor in the Crescent City and on vintage gear by the esteemed Jon Atkinson. Their JUNO Award-winning 5th album, Scream, Holler & Howl (SHH), Blue Moon Marquee captured their most sophisticated collection of songs yet. Co-produced by Duke Robillard and recorded live to tape, SHH blazes forward with a full band featuring some of Canada’s finest veteran players. While they have primarily performed as a duo since 2013, over the last couple of years they have been performing often as a trio or quartet featuring Darcy Phillips (Jann Arden) on piano and Jerry Cook (Colin James) on tenor and baritone saxophone.

The album was also nominated for the JUNOS Indigenous Artist of the Year.Scream, Holler and Howl drew attention in the US with a nomination for the Blues Foundation’s Emerging Artist of the Year (2023). The release also swept the 2023 Maple Blues Awards (Canada’s highest honour in Blues) with four wins including, Album of the Year, Songwriter of the Year, Acoustic Act of the Year and Entertainer of the Year. More recently they were honoured as at the Summer Solstice Indigenous Music Awards with Live Musical Performance of the Year and Roots Album of the Year. In 2024 the accolades continued with a win for Blues Artist of the Year at the prestigious West Coast Music Awards. The album has also topped the charts in the US and Canada achieving #1 on the !Earshot National Folk/Roots/Blues chart and #3 on their National Top 10 Chart for all genres, #1 on Canada’s Top 50 Chart by Roots Music Report, #6 on the International NACC Radio Chart and #8 on the coveted Living Blues Radio Chart. There was even a four-week run at #1 on the Indigenous Music Countdown. In a rare feat, the album reached #9 on the !Earshot National Jazz Chart while charting in Blues. With 2019’s Bare Knuckles and Brawn (BNAB), released on Spanish label FOLC Records, they were nominated as Blues Artist of the Year at the Western Canadian Music Awards and Indigenous Songwriter of the Year at the Canadian Folk Music Awards. 

With a “totally unique approach…such a powerful original mix of swing styles with jazz and blues, west coast swing and New Orleans feel” (Sound Guardian) the record topped both the Earshot National Folk/Roots/Blues Charts simultaneously with the National Jazz charts, a rare feat. Starring standout vocals and catchy hooks that speak to music lovers, BNAB instantly charmed first-time listeners and thrilled long-time fans. Stylistically, the album is a swaying lantern, highlighting their unique diversity. From the potent Indigenous-storytelling calypso swagger of ‘Big Black Mamba’ to the sultry laid back blue jazz of ‘Hard Times Hit Parade’ to the hard-swinging Spanish-tinged ‘Smoke Rings for My Rider’.

News about the band was spreading from heavy touring and old-fashioned word-of-mouth. As word spread, so did interest from talent buyers, allowing Blue Moon Marquee opportunities to open for a range of artists like Lisa Fischer and Mary Chapin Carpenter. Appreciated for their lyrical candour, outstanding musicianship and vivacious live performances, Blue Moon Marquee was the most requested band in the country for the Canadian International Jazz Festival Circuit following their 2017 release Gypsy Blues. This full-length album of original material also garnered the Indigenous Artist of the Year nomination from the Western Canadian Music Awards as well as a Best New Artist nomination at the Maple Blues Awards.

Gypsy Blues was an ode to their deep influences of jazz manouche and vintage blues, infused with verse having a penchant for poet characters and a heavy dose of atmospheric textures, “Blue Moon Marquee harnessed the best of vintage music that’s practically a century old and broughtit into modern times. It’s part haunting, part joyous, and sneakily infectious” says Jim Hynes of Elmore Magazine.

Born of the wild rose country in Alberta, Canada, both Cardinal and Colette played in punk, metal and rock and roll bands. Leaving home at a young age, they both spent years traveling on their own, working a variety of jobs and touring with different acts. At one point Colette was hitchhiking throughout North America performing vaudeville with her appalling act of hula hooping, skateboarding and playing trombone simultaneously while Cardinal was living in New York City working as a bike mechanic and performing at open mics every night.

It was in 2012 that they came together in Vancouver, B.C. to record Cardinal's original material for his album Stainless Steel Heart which he had written while living in Montreal. A mutual old friend was engineering the project and they connected deeply on their taste and obsession over music. The vast repertoire of this band is a reflection of bounteous years on the road, experiencing life through a wide diversity of lenses. The result is their trademark blend that pulls the different parts of their musical worlds together, taking the tones of early blues, the expressions of jazz, the heart of country, the spirit of folk, the swagger of soul and the rhythm of roll. The way Colette's velvet tones lift Cardinal's mystique is something that enthralls audiences from backroom bars to festival stages.

Unbound by genre or era, Blue Moon Marquee has an edge that demands you take notice. With an authentic mixture of tempo, melody and imagery, they are timeless artists perfect for this time.

What they’re saying

“To say A.W. and Jasmine are old souls is an understatement. They are poised for worldwide recognition in a brilliant and unique genre-bending ride through American blues and folk, Gypsy jazz, Native American themes, jump blues, swing and more. These century-old traditions have been redefined and delivered in a new light here. They are astounding in their depth, groove and soul” - Duke Robillard, Grammy Award-winning guitar player and producer

“As a long-time fan of Blue Moon Marquee, I've had the pleasure of following and appreciating their development over the years. The combination of A.W. and Jazz with Duke Robillard takes their music to another inspired level. 'Scream, Holler & Howl' is a wonderful hybrid of their combined swing, blues, and gypsy jazz influences and unique songwriting often inspired by A.W.'s Metis Cree heritage. It's a joy to hear and to see their on-stage chemistry and natural showmanship. I encourage everyone to get to know them by checking out their website, videos, and original artwork.” - Holger Petersen, Founder of Stony Plain Records and longtime radio Broadcaster

“Their presentation is spellbinding and their original songs are unforgettable. To me, they represent the real core of the folk-blues tradition. They would not seem out of place if they were on stage beside Lonnie Johnson or the young Memphis Minnie.” - David Vest, Legendary award-winning American Blues Pianist.

“They embrace the retro vein celebrated for decades between ragtime blues, shady mambo and vintage swing. With a smoldering live performance and outrageous vocals…welcome to the baroque cabaret, where the Charleston disjoins itself!” - Paris Blues Magazine, France

"The sound of Blue Moon Marquee is delicious and sacrosanct cross-border blues" - Philip Verhaege, Keys and Chords, Belgium

LIVE PERFORMANCE VIDEOS & MUSIC VIDEOS

Live Performance - Quintet with Jasmine on Upright Bass, A.W. on Guitar plus keys, sax and drums

‘Come on Down’ Live at McPherson Playhouse, Victoria, BC, February 2025. Come On Down is from the 2024 JUNO-winning album 'Scream, Holler & Howl'.

Live Performance - Quartet with Jasmine on drums & upright bass, A.W. on guitar plus keys and sax.

‘Runway Lane’ was originally released in 2016 on our Gypsy Blues album. -

This live performance was filmed by the kind folks at Esplanade Arts & Heritage Centre in Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada during a unique live performance experience where the audience shared the stage with us.

Live Performance - Trio with Jasmine on drums and upright bass, A.W. on guitar and vocals plus piano

From the album 'Bare Knuckles & Brawn. Filmed on Unceded Coast Salish Territory. Filmed at the Cowichan Performing Arts Centre by Christian Michael Wiebe. Additional cameras: Spencer Godin & Tony Ferrazza. Lighting and sound by Cowichan Performing Arts Centre

Music Video of the Title Track from Their JUNO-Winning Album

Cut loose from a troubled mind. Leave it all behind. Scream, Holler & Howl is the opening and title track for our latest album.

A heavyweight blend of Blues & Rhythm with a pulsating RocknRoll soul. Hound Dog On a Chain is the second single from our new album Scream, Holler & Howl

Featuring Duke Robillard on guitar, Thunderbird is the third single from our latest album Scream, Holler & Howl.

Not only is his influence obvious in the playing of Django Reinhardt, T-Bone Walker, and virtually all blues and jazz guitarists….but Lonnie Johnson’s voice was something else altogether.

AWARDS & ACCOLADES

2026 Polaris Song Award Long List for PUT YOUR FEATHERS ON

2026 Canadian Blues Music Awards Fan Favourite Award + Jasmine was the recipient of the Bass Player of the Year award.

2025 JUNO Nomination for Blues Album of the Year

2025 Western Canadian Music Awards Nomination for Blues Artist of the Year

2024 Western Canadian Music Awards • Blues Artist of the Year • Video Director of the Year - Sandy Rossignol - Hound Dog on a Chain

2024 JUNO Award for Blues Album of the Year

2024 JUNO Nomination for Indigenous Artist of the Year

2023 Western Canadian Music Awards Indigenous Artist of the Year

2023 Sumer Solstice Indigenous Music Awards • Radio Single of the Year (Nomination) • Live Performance of the Year (Winner) • Roots Album of the Year (Winner)

2023 Blues Foundation's Emerging Artist of the Year Nomination, Blues Music Awards

2023 Maple Blues Awards (4) • Songwriter of the Year •Entertainer of the Year • Acoustic Artist of the Year • Album/Producer of the Year 

2023 International Songwriting Competition Finalist • Blues Song: Hound Dog On a Chain

2023 John Kessler’s Favorite Songs - ‘Come On Down’ on KNKX All Blues

2021 Canadian Folk Music Awards Indigenous Songwriter of the Year Nomination and Western Canadian Music Awards Blues Artist of the Year Nomination

SHOW REVIEWS

The night began with a rousing set from Alberta gypsy-noir duo Blue Moon Marquee. The pair cooked up a swamp-blues bouillabaisse, one that counted Tom Waits and late-era Bob Dylan among its key ingredients. And it did so with a flair for the atmospheric.

- Victoria Times Colonist

Their musicality is outstanding, their presentation is spellbinding, and their original songs are unforgettable. To me, they represent the real core of the folk blues tradition. They would not seem out of place if they were on stage beside Lonnie Johnson or the young Memphis Minnie.

- David Vest (award-winning legendary Blues pianist)

Gypsy Blues plucks the danger from a Tom Waits melody, dances it a little further over the line with dark magic, teases the rhythms & raises a toast to back alley Jazz

- Canadian Music

Album Reviews

There will be many different album releasES (this year); different, yes, but none better.

Put on your dancing shoes people, the Blue Moon Marquee is back with another riveting album that will make you jump and shout, or, as the title accurately implies. Scream, Holler & Howl.

Scream, Holler & Howl is a joyous musical pleasure co-produced by their stylistic cohorts and musical soulmates Duke Robillard and Erik Nielsen. In our time of cold, modern digital recording practices and computerized music productions, this refreshing album has an old-fashioned, natural retro feel-hot music made by real humans with truehearted, impassionate feeling, recorded live to tape. 

Frank Matheis, Living Blues Magazine, (Issue #281-Vol.53 #6) 

Paris Move delivers first review of Scream, Holler & Howl 

“Without claiming to be a revivalist, our tandem nevertheless proudly anchors its inspiration among the 20s and 40s of the last century.”

Patrick Dallongeville, Paris-Move, Blues Magazine, Illico & BluesBoarder

While much of the disc rides a fluid jazzy vibe…the lyrics often hit pretty hard.

Blue Moon Marquee is the duo of A.W. Cardinal on vocals and guitars and Jasmine Colette on upright bass and vocals. They are supplemented here by keys, horns, drums and guitars, all of which add well balanced seasoning to the tasty stew of blues, folk, gypsy jazz and swing found on the thirteen cuts included on this, the duo’s 5th disc. Think Tom Waits and Maria Muldaur fronting Leon Redbone guesting with a New Orleans street band and you’ll be in the right neighborhood for the sound and vibe of this disc. 

Mark Smith, Jazz & Blues Report

No pretending going on here…Pure badassery that delivers

Is it the duo? Is it Duke Robillard in the producer’s chari? Is it the stars in the right place at the right time? This Canadian duo has got smoky, dirty blues that doesn’t start until way after dark down like they’re to the manor born. Using DIY freedom to passionately take you where they want to go, there’s no pretending going on here. Pure badassery that delivers.

Chris Spector, Midwest Record, Chicago, Il 

It’s part haunting, part joyous, and sneakily infectious.

As this writer concluded on this previous effort in another outlet, the following statement holds. Blue Moon Marquee has harnessed the best of vintage music that’s practically a century old and brought it into modern times. It’s part haunting, part joyous, and sneakily infectious. And, we’ll add that it’s just a tad better this time with Robillard’s guidance and guitar.

Jim Hynes, Making a Scene

PHOTO GALLERY

Right click and “save as” for low-resolution versions best for online usage. Click below to access the promotional folder with high-resolution photos, stage plots, bio, one-sheets and more. Need more? Contact Ken@ThinkTankMusicNetwork.com