Chuck Jackson’s Bio:
Chuck Jackson is Downchild’s lead singer and harmonica player; the sort of openhearted, friendly guy who builds an instant rapport with audiences. He came to Downchild 30 years ago after a long career with a number of top Canadian bands including Cameo Blues Band and The Labatt’s Double Blues, which was the official band of the1988 Calgary Winter Olympics. An Award-Winning singer, who rates Big Joe Turner, Otis Redding and Junior Wells as major influences, Jackson is also is an excellent songwriter. A number of his songs can be heard on the many Downchild recordings. As a dynamic harmonica player, one special highlight of the band’s performances is a harp duet with Mr. Downchild, Donnie Walsh. Chuck is also the Founder and Artistic Director of the annual award-winning Tim Hortons Southside Shuffle Blues and Jazz Festival celebrating it’s 23rd Anniversary in 2021. The Festival has become a major event on the North American festival circuit.
With Downchild, Chuck has appeared on 10 CD’s and been nominated for 7 Junos and won 2 Junos for Blues Album of the Year. Chuck has been nominated 8 times as Male Vocalist of the Year at the Maple Blues Awards in Toronto. He has had the honour of winning the award twice in 1999 and again in 2007. He was also honoured in 2002 with the Toronto Blues Society’s prestigious Blues With a Feeling Award for his achievements during a distinguished career. In 2012 Chuck received the prestigious Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal and in 2013 was inducted to the Mississauga Music Walk of Fame and Mississauga Legends Row. 2017 saw Chuck honoured with a MARTY by the Mississauga Arts Council in the category of ‘Music-Solo-Vocalist. In 2020 Chuck will be touring across Canada with The Legendary Downchild Blues Band as they continue to celebrate the band’s 50th Anniversary. Chuck is also part of the highly regarded Lance Anderson tributes to The Last Waltz – A Musical Celebration of The Band and Mad Dogs and Englishmen – The Music of Joe Cocker and Leon Russell. Now in his 32nd year with Downchild and 52nd year in the Canadian Music Industry, Chuck says “Being able to play the music I love and entertain the wonderful people across Canada and around the world is certainly a dream come true and one I will continue to follow”
Chuck's Awards and Achievements
2021 Nominated Male Vocalist of the Year, Maple Blues Awards
2020 Nominated Male Vocalist of the Year, Maple Blues Awards
2017 Winner The MARTY by the Mississauga Arts Council in the category of ‘Music-Solo-Vocalist
2014 Nominated Male Vocalist of the Year, Maple Blues Awards
2013 Inducted into The Mississauga Music Hall of Fame
2013 Inducted into Mississauga Legends Row
2012 CBC Saturday Night Blues Top 10 Blues albums "Cup Of Joe"
2012 Received Queens Diamond Jubilee Medal
2012 Inducted into Festival and Events Ontario Hall of Fame
2007 Winner Male Vocalist of the Year, Maple Blues Awards
2006 Mississauga Arts Awards - Laurie Pallett Patron of the Arts Award
2005 Nominated Male Vocalist of the Year, Maple Blues Awards
2003 Nominated Male Vocalist of the Year, Maple Blues Awards
2002 Winner Blues With A Feeling Award, Maple Blues Awards (Lifetime Achievement)
1999 Winner Male Vocalist of the Year, Maple Blues Awards
1997 Nominated Male Vocalist of the Year, Maple Blues Awards
Awards with Downchild
2020 Nominated Entertainer Of The Year, Maple Blues Awards
2019 Winner Entertainer Of The Year, Maple Blues Awards
2018 Nominated Juno Award in Blues category for "Something I've Done “
2014 Winner Juno Award in Blues category for "Can You Hear The Music”
2010 Winner Recording Of The Year, I Need A Hat (Linus), Maple Blues Awards
2010 Nominated Entertainer Of The Year, Maple Blues Awards
2010 Nominated Entertainer of the Year, Maple Blues Awards
2009 Nominated Juno Award in Blues category for "I Need a Hat “
2006 Winner Entertainer Of The Year, Maple Blues Awards
2005 Winner Entertainer Of The Year, Maple Blues Awards
2005 Winner Recording Of The Year, Come On In (Downchild Music), Maple Blues Awards
2005 Winner Electric Act Of the Year, Maple Blues Awards
2004 Nominated Juno Award in Blues category for "Come On In "
1998 Nominated Electric Act of the Year, Maple Blues Awards
1998 Nominated Entertainer of the Year, Maple Blues Awards
1998 Winner Blues Group of the Year, The Jazz Report Awards
1994 Nominated Juno Award in Blues & Gospel category for "Good Times Guaranteed"
Tyler Yarema’s Bio:
After moving from Thunder Bay to Toronto in 1994, Yarema became a nightclub regular. Yarema gained traction by playing alongside the late Jeff Healey, Chris Whiteley, King Biscuit Boy, Downchild Blues Band, and the late Doug Riley before forming his own band entitled Tyler Yarema and His Rhythm. Yarema has since played, produced, arranged, and sung on over 40 albums.
Currently, Yarema is working on a recording project through the vehicle of his band Empire Avenue that steers away from traditional jazz and blues and focuses on an original sounding adult pop.
Tyler joined Downchild Blues Band in 2021, after the death of their long-serving keyboard player Michael Fonfara.[1]
Awards & recognitions[edit]
1998 – New Artist of The Year – Maple Blues Awards (winner)[2]
1999 – Piano Player of the Year – Maple Blues Awards (winner)[3]
2002 – Best Keyboard Player – Now Magazine (winner)