Since 1984, The Blues Foundation in Memphis Tennessee has been hosting a blues competition, which eventually became the International Blues Competition in 2000. The event now sees hundreds of bands from all over the world coming to compete and showcase on Beale St. in Memphis every year. You know competition is stiff when contemporary blues legends like Susan Tedeschi have performed and not won!
The Thunder Bay Blues Society has been hosting blues challenges of their own since about 2012 with the winners having the chance to represent Thunder Bay at the competition in Memphis. Being the musical city that we are, there have been a lot of great bands who have gone on to represent Thunder Bay, including The Angies and The Bustle, two bands with a lot in common: Both bands were all female musicians and both bands included Jennifer Swiston. In fact, Jennifer Swiston makes her third (and final) appearance at the International Blues Competition in 2026 with her long-time band, The Thirsty Monks.
The Thirsty Monks formed around 2016 when bassist Swiston moved to Thunder Bay. Since then, she has been a regular on the scene, performing with the aforementioned Angies and Bustle, as well as a variety of other bands around town. The Thirsty Monks though, has always been her main band. As happens, lineup changes have occurred over the years, resulting in the band growing to 8 members, including 3 drummers! While the band has always had an element of blues, the mix has primarily focused on funk/rock with a good time feel to it. Recently, the band began writing more blues-based music and won the 2025 Highway 61 to Memphis Blues Challenge put on by the Thunder Bay Blues Society which will see them take the stage in Memphis early next year. The band, which also features semi-legendary vocalist Nancy Freeborn, has also applied to perform during the ‘Women In Blues’ showcase at the International Blues Challenge in addition to their regular showcase.
For those who have not had the chance to see The Thirsty Monks live, you still have a chance this week! The Thirsty Monks will be performing live at the Branch 5 Legion on Van Norman Street this Friday, November 14th along with Juan Jose, Morning Light, Pintail and Son Hound, all for only $10. Along with the bands, there will also be prizes and draws with all proceeds going to send The Thirsty Monks to the International Blues Challenge in Memphis January 13th-17th.
You can also check out the Thirsty Monks and see all of the prizes and amazing sponsors of their fundraiser at the band’s facebook page.
https://www.facebook.com/thethirstymonksmusic
