www.myspace.com/joelleblanc

Guitarist, harmonica player, and singer, Joel has been co-leading the band Hot Toddy for over 10 years. Each member inputs new ideas into a already impressive mix. The band continues to thrive on improvisation, audience interaction and creating a fresh experience. Joel became well known for his harmonica playing in the early nineties on the UNB and STU campuses. Joel earned a BA in Honours History from St. Thomas University. He completed one year of a Masters programme at UNB before deciding to pursue music. Joel has co-produced 7 albums with Hot Toddy. In 2005, the group received the East Coast Music Award for Best Blues Album. In January 2007, they won a Maple Blues Award for Acoustic Act of the Year for their collaboration with Isaac & Blewett, Live at the Black Box. Joel and Hot Toddy have also received two Dutchie Mason Awards from the Harvest Jazz and Blues Festival. Joel's interest have lead him to co-found other bands, including Big Alice which is a mix of NeoFunk, Jazz and Blues and most recently the Joel LeBlanc Trio, which focuses on jazz.