18 year old ‘New Artist of the Year’ Maple Blues Award winner, Spencer MacKenzie, has an insightful musical expression emerging from his body, and the only explanation is an old soul residing within! He has a deep, soulful, true to the blues sound, with an electrifying twist that captivates his audience. There is no question that musicians should be judged by ability and not by age, and that is certainly the case with 17 year-old blues artist Spencer MacKenzie…"his guitar playing is crisp and clean even as it delivers some down-to-the bone licks…He’s got the blues power in his soul...” – Blues Blast Magazine (USA)
His debut album ‘Infected with the Blues’ released in May 2016 earned rave reviews and international airplay. Almost one year since the release, it still consistently hits the Top 50 Roots Music Report Blues/Rock Charts. "Goodbye Lucille is the best musical tribute to BB King I've hear....." -BLUES MATTERS MAGAZINE (UK). Spencer and his original song "Devil Under her Skin" just took a 3rd place WIN in the Blues Category at the 2016 International Songwritting Competition!
MacKenzie’s drive and work ethic goes beyond that of the typical teenager. Countless hours are spent song writing and travelling each week performing on the blues scene earning praise everywhere he performs. In 2016 he landed some prestigious festivals including Kitchener Blues Festival, Tim Hortons Southside Shuffle, West Coast Blues Festival, Canal Bank Shuffle and the Blues on the Rideau. The 2017 festival season consists off Aurora Winter Blues Festival, Orangeville Blues and Jazz Festival, Trembant International Blues Festival, Lighthouse Blues festival, Southside Shuffle Blues and Jazz Festival, Beaches International Jazz Festival, and more!
In 2013 he won Niagara Music Awards Rising Star, was selected to perform the 2016 Youth Showcase at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, in 2016 won the Toronto Blues Society New Talent Search earning a spot to compete at the 2017 International Blues Challenge, won 3rd place in the 2016 International Songwriting Competition in the Blues Category, and recently took home the Maple Blues Award for 'New Artist of the Year' and he has just begun his journey! “There’s no doubt the future of the blues is in good hands with Spencer…..” – Chris Duarte
Duarte, along with other modern blues artists like Jonny Lang and Joe Bonamassa, provide a roadmap for Spencer. He has drawn favourable comparisons to them because they overcame the imaginary stigma of youth to scale the heights of the art form called the blues.
Spencer confirms that blues music has a future and that young people all over “get it” regardless of yet having some of the life experiences that the genre so often detail and that the blues is a feeling, one that can’t be denied or suppressed.
Stay tuned for Spencer's new album set to release early 2018!
As MacKenzie puts it, “I got the blues running through my veins!”
Also here are his online social media links:
Website: https://www.spencermackenzie.ca/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/spencer.john.mackenzie/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/smackenziemusic?lang=en
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/spencermackenziemusic/
You tube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdmjdJ7u8qMUiOViRyhF9OQ
Spencer MacKenzie