The Blackburn Brothers stand tall as torchbearers of a legacy woven through generations. Rooted in the streets of Toronto, this family of talented musicians carry forward a legacy steeped in rhythm and blues, heritage, and boundless creativity. They infuse their sound with a contemporary flair that captivates audiences far and wide. At the heart of this group are brothers Robert (guitar, vocals, lyrics), Duane (lead vocals, organ/piano), Cory (drums, harmony), and Brooke Blackburn (guitar, vocals, lyrics), as well as their cousin Nathan Blackburn (bass), who joined in more recent years.
The brothers are the sons of esteemed Bobby Dean Blackburn, a veteran in Toronto’s R&B scene. They began playing instruments as young as four, as they grew up in a musical household. Tracks like “Back the Zanzibar” (2009) and “Walking in New, New Orleans” (2015), pay homage to their roots and pushes the boundaries of contemporary expression. Their latest album “SoulFunkn’Blues” (2023) seemlessly blends blues, soul, funk and R&B. A noteworthy mention from the album is song “Bobby’s Blue’s” which shares a narrative of their fathers musical career.
The Blackburn Brothers have multiple accolades including, Maple Blues Awards, an induction into the Canada South Blues Society Hall of Fame, and in 2024 their album SoulFunkn’BLUES held multiple nominations for Juno awards for “Best Blues Album of the Year”, “Best Album of the Year”, and “Best Song of the Year”. Beyond the glimmering trophies and acknowledgements lies a deeper mission to educate, inspire, ad uplift audiences. The brothers have worked closely with many notables artists, including Neil Brathwaite and Ted Peters who provide tenor saxophone and trombone to the bands horn section, respectively; their touring bass guitarist is Andrew Stewart.
Their spirit of collaboration and community engagement is certainly fueled by their fathers’ legacy and a family lineage directly tied to the underground railroad. In their harmonies one can hear echoes of the past and the promise of a brighter future as they tell stories of their roots and Black Canadian history. Their familial bond sets them a part in the music industry.
