Big news: Coco Love Alcorn’s battling aggressive cancer, sidelining her career. The music community’s rallying behind her with a generous GoFundMe.
Canadian pop and jazz singer-songwriter Coco Love Alcorn has disclosed her fight against an aggressive cancer diagnosis. Following this news, she’s been forced to cancel all her 2026 touring, teaching commitments, and performances. Alcorn has also announced a hiatus for her local choir and put on hold her plans to record a new album in British Columbia this winter and spring. The artist’s community has reacted quickly, with a GoFundMe campaign launched to support her during this challenging time, reflecting the deep respect she commands among her peers.
Alcorn’s career spans decades, first releasing her album in 1995 and later earning accolades, including the Canadian Folk Music Award for contemporary singer of the year in 2021 for her album “Rebirth.” She’s not only known for her solo work; Alcorn has toured as a backup vocalist for the Canadian rock band 54-40 and had her music featured on shows such as “The Dead Zone” and “The L Word.” The outpouring of support for Alcorn is a testament to her impact in the music community, as fans and fellow artists alike show their love and encouragement during this difficult chapter.
In other news, the Canadian Blues Music Awards are set to replace the Maple Blues Awards, focusing on representation and inclusivity within the blues genre. This revamped initiative aims to promote fairness and unity in recognizing the best in Canadian blues music. The inaugural awards ceremony is scheduled for March 30 at the Phoenix Concert Theatre in Toronto, with tickets now available, offering a 20% discount for Toronto Blues Society members.
Meanwhile, Breakout West, a major event for Western Canada’s music industry, is returning to Victoria, B.C. from September 30 to October 4, 2026. Applications for participation are currently open, with a submission deadline of February 4.
On a brighter note, the Toronto Symphony Orchestra (TSO) is gearing up for a European tour from January 27 to February 9, 2026. This tour will take the orchestra to eight cities across six countries and will be the first international trip for music director Gustavo Gimeno.
Locally, veteran Toronto artist Paul James is celebrating his 75th birthday with a free concert at The Phoenix Concert Theatre on January 17, 2026. The annual event is always a favorite for fans. Additionally, the Tragically Hip tribute band Practically Hip will perform a free show at the venue on January 24.
Finally, Ottawa blues guitarist JW-Jones is preparing for a series of gig dates in Georgia and Florida starting January 22 through February 8, followed by a show in Kingston, Ontario on February 27. Notably, Jones has initiated a funding campaign to assist with the increasingly expensive costs of obtaining an American work visa, highlighting the challenges Canadian artists face when touring in the U.S.