BIO

Dawn Tyler Watson is a JUNO Award-winning singer, songwriter, and recording artist whose powerful voice and captivating stage presence have made her one of Canada’s most celebrated blues artists.

Her music moves naturally between blues, jazz, soul, gospel, and R&B, reflecting her versatility and her deep connection to the music she loves.

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A six-time Maple Blues Award winner, Dawn has received honours including Female Vocalist of the Year, Entertainer of the Year, Album of the Year, and Songwriter of the Year. Her album Mad Love won the 2020 JUNO Award for Blues Album of the Year. She is also a Blues Blast Music Award winner for Female Blues Artist of the Year and won first place at the 2017 International Blues Challenge in Memphis with her band. Her career has also earned her nine Quebec Lys Blues Awards and a Screaming Jay Hawkins Award for Live Performance, among other prestigious honours.

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For more than 25 years, Dawn has shared her music with audiences across four continents, building an international reputation for performances that combine vocal power, musical depth, warmth, and an unmistakable personal style. Her sound draws from the traditions of blues while embracing jazz, soul, rock, and gospel, allowing her to move effortlessly between genres.

Today, Dawn presents three distinct musical projects, each highlighting a different side of her artistry:

 

BLUES: With the six-piece powerhouse Ben Racine Band, Dawn's blues performances have brought her to stages round the globe and have won her countless accolades and awards.

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JAZZ: With The Jazz Sessions, Dawn returns to her first musical love, reimagining timeless jazz standards and soulful classics alongside Montréal’s finest jazz musicians. The new album, THE JAZZ SESSIONS, will be released on October 17, 2026.

 

SOUL: With the funky and dancable, DTW & The Jamm, Dawn brings the biggest Soul, Motown, and Disco, hits to the stage. From Tina Turner and the Jackson 5 to Prince, Marvin Gaye, and Gloria Gaynor, the show is a powerful celebration designed to get audiences on their feet.

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Three projects. Three musical worlds. One unmistakable voice.

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Dawn continues to explore new musical territory while staying connected to the traditions that first inspired her—bringing Blues, Jazz, and Soul together through a career defined by exceptional musicianship, memorable performances, and a genuine love of music.

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