Halifax trombonist and composer Andrew Jackson takes top honours at this year’s Music Nova Scotia Awards

While artists were celebrating their wins at this year’s Creative Nova Scotia Awards in Halifax, down in Yarmouth, the music industry was celebrating its own at the 2023 Music Nova Scotia Awards.

Taking top honours this year was Halifax trombonist and composer Andrew Jackson, who was named Musician of the Year and also led the way in total wins with two additional trophies, including Jazz Recording of the Year for New Doors alongside guitarist Sam Wilson and the Media Arts Award as host of The Outer Edge on CKDU 88.1 FM.

In a Facebook post, Jackson said he “would never have imagined as a trombone player to be recognized” as Musician of the Year.

Other multiple award-winners, with two awards each, included Jah’Mila (African Nova Scotian Artist of the Year & New Artist Recording of the Year), Nicole Ariana (Music Video of the Year & R&B/Soul Recording of the Year), and Rankin MacInnis (Entertainer of the Year & Live Sector Award).

In a Facebook post, Jah’Mila called it “truly humbling to have received two Music Nova Scotia awards.”

A complete list of 2023 Nova Scotia Music Award-winners follows:

African Nova Scotian Artist of the Year: Jah’Mila
Americana/Bluegrass Recording: The Bombadils – Dear Friend
Blues Recording of the Year: Jon Hines – A Pale Blue Dot
Classical Recording of the Year: India Gailey – to you through
Country Recording of the Year: Elyse Aeryn – Joy State of Mind
DJ of the Year: Kayo
Electronic Artist of the Year: Rich Aucoin
Entertainer of the Year: Rankin MacInnis
Folk/Roots Recording of the Year: Terra Spencer & Ben Caplan – Old News
Hip Hop/Rap Recording of the Year: Classified – Retrospected
Indigenous Artist of the Year: DeeDee Austin
Jazz Recording of the Year: Jackson\Wilson Duo – New Doors
Loud Recording of the Year: Kilmore – From The Inside
Music Video of the Year: Nicole Ariana – Shameless (Directed by Griffin O’Toole)
Musician of the Year: Andrew Jackson
New Artist Recording of the Year: Jah’Mila – Roots Girl
Pop Recording of the Year: Good Dear Good – Arrival
Prix de l’Acadie: Peanut Butter Sunday
R&B/Soul Recording of the Year: Nicole Ariana – Crybaby
Rock Recording of the Year: Steel Cut Oats – At The Eleventh Hour
SOCAN Songwriter of the Year: Adam Baldwin

Artistic Development Award: Micah Smith
Emerging Industry Professional of the Year: Nik MacDonald
Live Sector Award: Rankin’s Winter Warmers
Media Arts Award: Andrew Jackson
Recording Sector Award: Erin Costelo
Sound, Tech and Production Award: John Mullane (Future Dad)
Volunteer of the Year: Phil Demille