Congratulations to New Brunswick’s 2026 ECMA Nominees!
The East Coast Music Association (ECMA) has announced the nominees for the 38th annual ECMA Awards, and 20 artists and one festival are nominated across 20 categories.
The East Coast Music Awards: Festival & Conference will take place in Sydney, Nova Scotia, from May 20–24, 2026. The event includes the East Coast Music Awards Gala presented by Rogers, as well as live performances, industry sessions, and plenty of opportunities to connect with folks from across the music community.
New Brunswick ECMA Nominees – 2026
Artiste acadien(ne) ou francophone de l’année
• La famille LeBlanc
• Pierre Guitard
African Canadian Artist of the Year
• Michael J Foxx
Blues Release of the Year
• JP LeBlanc – All In My Blood / Je l’ai dans l’sang
Breakthrough Artist of the Year
• Robert Thomas and the Sessionmen
• Sean Michael Ryan
Children’s Artist of the Year
• Sugarwoods
Classical Release of the Year
• Jean-Guy Boisvert – Album pour la jeunesse XXI
Classical Composer of the Year
• Jason Noble
Country Release of the Year
• The Mainlanders – Just About Ready
• The Martin Boys – Burn the Boats
Dance Release of the Year
• Apryll Aileen – Take Me
Electronic Release of the Year
• Green Eyes, Witch Hands – Gin
Fusion Release of the Year
• Sacred Wolf Singers & Simon Walls – Powwow Crow Hopper
Global Music Release of the Year
• Dee Hernandez – Danzón
Group of the Year
• Les Hay Babies
Instrumental Release of the Year
• Adam Cicchillitti and Steve Cowan – Lyrique
• Joel Miller – What If?
Jazz Release of the Year
• Joel Miller – What If?
Loud Release of the Year
• Direwolf – Thunder Calls
Rap / Hip-Hop Release of the Year
• HINCH – Poetry Is the Art of Death
• Michael J Foxx – Off the Stoop Vol. 1
Roots Release of the Year
• Robert Thomas and the Sessionmen – The Way We Roll
Traditional Release of the Year
• La famille LeBlanc – Perdrais-je mon temps…
Event of the Year
• The Shediac Lobster Festival / Le Festival du homard de Shediac