Two NLers win big at Juno Awards in Edmonton

It was a night of firsts for two artists from Newfoundland and Labrador at Saturday night's Junoopening night awards in Edmonton.

The Florian Hoefner Trio won the award for jazz album of the year for their albumDesert Bloom.

The album, inspired by a nature documentary, was recordedin Toronto in August 2021.

It's the second nomination for the group, which comprisesHoefner, Nick Fraser and Andrew Downing.

Hoefner, who was born in Germany,said in his acceptance speech the award means a lot to him, as he's only been a Canadian for four years.

"I would like to dedicate this award to my family. It's not easy," said Hoefner.

Mount Pearl native Bekah Simms won the award for classical composer of the year, her third nomination, for her work Bestiary I & II.

Simms lives in Glasgow, working as a lecturer in composition at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.

Simms says the work was written for a small orchestra and a soprano soloist, inspired by one her favourite albums as a teenager, Ys by American artist Joanna Newsom.

In an interview before the awards, Simms said the honour isn't just for her, but for the talented musicians who played on the piece.

There are a total of seven Junonominees from Newfoundland and Labrador this year.

The JunoAwards continue Monday night with a televised gala starting at 9:30 p.m.NT.

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