Blue Moon Marquee is a Gypsy Blues band born of the wild rose foothills of Alberta. They currently make their home in an island shack on the coast of the Salish Sea ,British Columbia. A.W. Cardinal (vocals/guitar) and Jasmine Colette a.k.a. Badlands Jass (vocals/bass/drums) write and perform original compositions influenced by anything that swings, jumps or grooves. Artists such as Lonnie Johnson, Louis Armstrong, Blind Willie Jonson, Charley Patton, Howlin’ Wolf, Screaming Jay Hawkins, Tom Waits, Memphis Minnie, and Django Reinhardt are deeply infused in the soul of their music.
Blue Moon Marquee is primarily a live duo with the energy and sound of a full band. Colette, the rhythm section, not only commands the upright bass but also brings the swing with her feet on the kick drum, snare and high hat, all while singing harmonies. Cardinal is of the screaming and hollering blues ilk with distinctive thick and smoky vocals that barrel out like a raging bull. His guitar crackles with the swinging energy of jazz tinged blues.
“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)
To date, Blue Moon Marquee has released four full-length albums of their original compositions: “Bare Knuckles & Brawn” (2019), “Gyspy Blues” (2016), “Lonesome Ghosts” (2014), “Stainless Steel Heart” (2013), and one online E.P. “Last Dollar” (2014). Their latest album, “Bare Knuckles & Brawn” charted at number 3 in two categories – Jazz and Blues – in the Earshot National Roots and Blues charts. The group has appeared on many radio stations around the world, including a half-hour special on Holger Petersen’s Blues Hour for CBC.
Most recently, Blue Moon Marquee received the 2021 West Coast Music Awards nomination for Blues Artist of the year and the Canadian Folk Music Awards nomination for Indigenous Songwriter of the Year. Other notable accolades include a Maple Blues Award nomination for New Artist of the Year (2016) and two Westcoast Music Award nominations for Indigenous Artist of the Year (2017/2020).