artist Tannis Slimmon

Tannis Slimmon was named 2008's Contemporary Vocalist of the Year by the Canadian Folk Music Awards for her work on her album 'Lucky Blue'. The album has garnered a number of other awards and accolades including being selected as one of the top ten 'critics albums of the year' by Canadian Folk and World music magazine 'Penguin Eggs'.

“A breathtaking vocalist with a bright, angelic disposition, Slimmon is a favourite folk attraction whose harmonies are as warm as her smile.” – Exclaim

With musical roots firmly planted in the soil of the Canadian Prairies and a passion for lyrical/melodic vocal harmonies, Guelph-based Tannis has been singing, songwriting, recording and touring in Ontario and North America for over 25 years, most notably with the critically acclaimed female folk trio the Bird Sisters. She has appeared on over 70 recordings including those by other artists (Willie P. Bennett, Rheostatics, Valdy).

Tannis launched her solo career in 2001 with the debut release Oak Lake, an album that ‘both defines and challenges the boundaries of Canadian Roots music'. The album features guest performances by many musical friends including Lewis Melville, Andy Maize (SkyDiggers), Jeff Bird (Cowboy Junkies), Gwen Swick (Quartette), Dave Clark (Rheostatics) and bluesman Harry Manx. The choir of 26 singers from the Guelph community on "There's A Lift" reflects Tannis' love of audience participation at live performances.

Rounding out Tannis’ pure vocal tones and quintessential harmonies on Lucky Blue are the multi-instrumentalisms of her musical partner & producer Lewis Melville, soulful slide guitars of Ken Whiteley and Dan Walsh, the African kora of Malian griot Mansa Sissoko, the low-down bass of George Koller, duet vocals of David Francey, harmonies of Stephen Fearing, Scott Merritt, Shelley Marshall & Keri Latimer (from Winnipeg’s Nathan), Jude Vadala, Katherine Wheatley, the Dust Poets, and even the crows of a Bhutanese rooster!