In the past decade, Singer/Actor/Songwriter Dawn Tyler Watson has become a major force on the Canadian Blues scene. Born in England and raised in Ontario, she adopted Quebec as her home and was quickly dubbed “Montreal’s Queen of the Blues.”
An accomplished and dynamic performer, Dawn’s style incorporates her many influences of Jazz, Soul, Folk and good old Rock & Roll into a fresh new blues sound that’s much more than the old, "Ma Mama Done Told Me."
A multiple nominee of the prestigious Canadian Maple Blues Awards in numerous categories, including Best New Artist and Entertainer of the Year, Dawn earned herself the title of Female Vocalist of the Year in 2005 & 2007. Her original debut CD entitled "Ten Dollar Dress," is as multi faceted as the artist herself, and spotlights an exceptional songwriting talent as well. Her songs, often funny, sometimes poignant, but always moving; have appeared on numerous compilations.
Dawn’s other accomplishments include six-time consecutive winner of the Quebec Lys Blues Award for Best Female Artist, and the 2007 Album of the Year award for her latest CD entitled "en Duo" with guitarist Paul Deslauriers. The effort earned her a 2007 Canadian Folk Music Award nomination for Best Contemporary Vocalist, and the duo are now working on their sophomore CD, slated for release in the fall.
In addition to numerous theatre, television and screen credits, in 2004 she earned herself the lead role of Jazz singer Curly Brown in the movie Jack Paradise “Les Nuits du Montreal” where she starred opposite famed Quebec heartthrob, actor Roy Dupuis. Dawn’s big-screen debut received as much critical acclaim as her stage and studio performances, as did the films Jutra nominated soundtrack on which she was the featured vocalist.
Dawn has garnered International recognition with the Screaming Jay Hawkins Award for Live Performance; and a Trophées France Blues for International Female Artist of the Year. She continues to tour across Canada, the US, and Europe, and has recently returned from festivals in Moscow and the Middle East.
"Watson in a nutshell, smokes. She has a kit bag full of smooth moves, and a personality that lifts off the page." Blues Review Magazine