Hornby Island Blues Workshop

Emily Burgess graduated from Humber College’s Contemporary Music Degree program at age 22, majoring in guitar.  Direct from the hallways to the roadways, Emily began touring Canada and the U.S with the JUNO nominated 24th Street Wailers. Hundreds of shows later, she is fronting her own band, Emily Burgess & The Emburys, and playing guitar with many different acts across Canada, including The Weber Brothers, Rita Chiarelli, and the Women’s Blues Revue Band. Emily has shared the stage and traded riffs with guitar greats Jimmie Vaughan, John Primer, Garrett Mason, Suzie Vinnick, Sue Foley, and Sam Weber, among others. 

In November 2017, Burgess released her debut solo album ‘Are We in Love?’, produced by The Weber Brothers. CBC music journalist Bob Mersereau calls the album “Empowering” and “A Big Winner”. John Valenteyn of The Maple Blues Newsletter writes “…she has a knack for writing attractive tunes that feature her biting lead guitar…a combination not often heard”. He adds that the album is “Gorgeously produced”. Emily Burgess & The Emburys Recently released follow-up album, 'Never-Ending Fling, is a twisting and turning roots-rock journey not to be missed! 

 Emily won 'Best New Artist' at the 2018 Maple Blues Awards.

This will be Emily’s first appearance at the Hornby Island Blues Workshop and what an opportunity for guitar students to meet and learn from one of Canada’s rising blues stars.