Andrews, Hey Rosetta! shine at MusicNL fest

Jazz guitar virtuoso Duane Andrews and St. John's alternative sextet Hey Rosetta! swept the top awards this weekend at Newfoundland and Labrador's key music industry conference.

Andrews, who won male artist of the year among a haul of four awards at a MusicNL show in Gander, said Sunday night's presentation was sweet.

"This is home," said Andrews, whose spirited style — inspired by his hero, jazz legend Django Reinhardt — has won acclaim from international jazz publications and fans.

"You know, it's home and it's also your peers. So really for me it's just — it's inspiration. It's encouragement to just keep doing what I'm doing. Cause you need that sometimes."

Andrews also won as jazz-blues artist of the year; album of the year for his latest release, Raindrops; and songwriter of the year for the tune D.D.'s Blues.

Hey Rosetta! — which combines driving alternative rock with a string section — won three awards, including group of the year, entertainer of the year and pop-rock artist of the year.

MusicNL presented its Lifetime Achievement Award to Simani, the legendary folk duo of Bud Davidge and Sim Savory. Simani is best known for The Mummer's Song, a tune that started off as a lament for a declining Christmas tradition but has been credited with helping to keep it alive.

Singer Sherry Ryan won the female artist of the year award, while St. John's ska outfit The Idlers won the Rising Star award, which recognizes up-and-coming talent.

Angela Antle, the host of Weekend Arts Magazine  on CBC Radio, won MusicNL's annual nod as media person of the year.