When one thinks of all the great performers of soul and rhythm & blues music, one doesn’t usually associate it with a young man from Northern Ontario – until they meet Andre Bisson. The award winning composer, arranger, guitar player and vocalist is one of the hardest working musicians around. Soulful, talented and sharp Bisson was clearly born with a passion for music and performing, as well as the smarts and talent to pull it all together and build a large following in Southern Ontario and beyond.

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Andre Bisson spent a large part of his formative years performing in bars and festivals in his home town prior to relocating to Hamilton to study at the acclaimed Applied Music Program at Mohawk College. It was here that Bisson, with his raspy and soulful voice, formed popular bands that would perform classic and original Rhythm & Blues with his band.

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Since their formation, the Andre Bisson Band have been entertaining audiences across Canada, US, UK, and Europe. Their overseas tours were a success where many saw the band performing at festivals including Bentworth Blues Festival, in Bentworth, England, the Sunflowerfest in Northern Ireland, Beatleweek at the Cavern in Liverpool, Congleton Blues & Jazz Festival, Rhythm & Blues Dragon in Cardiff, Wales and others, resulting in invitations to return to perform at future festivals and club dates.

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Bisson has been recognized in the blues community for his eight studio album releases, gaining exposure through a number of positive reviews, and extensive radio airplay. Andre’s albums have been nominated for Blues Recording of the Year at the 2009-2015 Hamilton Music Awards, Voted Best Rhythm & Blues Album of 2009 by Blues Underground Network, and Voted Best CD by the Hamilton Blues Lovers. Andre was nominated for Overseas Artist of the Year at the British Blues Awards and Won Male Vocalist of the Year for the 2015 Hamilton Blues Awards.

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With the completion of his seventh studio album ‘Break’ recorded at B Town Sound Recording Studio in Burlington and released in September 2017, it is clear to hear that Andre has stayed true to his influences. Combining the driving bass lines of Motown, the raw vocal power of Stax, and the electrifying horn sections, this album is sure to bring any blues fan to their feet. Along with 11 new originals, Bisson pays tribute to one of the greats with his version of “Eleanor Rigby”, for discerning soul fans and those who like to dance their cares away.

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Most Recently, Bisson continues to tour in Canada, US, UK and Europe, with opportunities including: competing in the 2017 International Blues Challenge representing the Grand River Blues Society, being chose for Arts Northwest in Tacoma, Washington and performing for great music festivals such as TD Kitchener Blues Festival, Tim Hortons Southside Shuffle and the Sound of Music Festival.  He was nominated “New Artist of the Year” by the Maple Blues Awards for 2017 and was also nominated in 2018 and 2019 for Artist of the Year by the Hamilton Arts Awards. In 2o20 he won in the Male Category for Song of the Year by Blues & Roots Radio for his song “Is This Happening“.  Andre is working on a new album  and some great new projects to be released in Fall 2020

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We asked Andre to answer a few Rapid Fire questions.