On Thursday evening, the annual Buffalo Music Awards took place inside Blasdell’s Club Paradise.

The yearly ceremony, presented by Night Life Magazine, honors musicians in a variety of genres, and doles out trophies to both “cover” and “original” bands.

Many familiar names from BMA ceremonies past showed up again, but new faces peeked through as well, a fact that might suggest the relative health of the Buffalo music scene, one that can accommodate both seasoned professionals and up-and-comers.

Though Buffalo has had a vibrant original music scene for decades, it can’t be denied that tribute acts and cover bands do bigger bar business than do indie folks hell-bent on carving a piece of the rock in their own image. People going out for the evening like to hear songs they already know, and ever shall it be so. Thus, longtime favorites Black Widow took the top honors in the “Rock” category once again, much to the delight of the band’s fans.

A separate category for original music honored the likes of the Brass Monkeez, Free Henry! and the Steam Donkeys, while the “Original Alternative” prize went to the deserving Alison Pipitone and her band. Of particular note is the honor granted to Rob Lynch as “Best Blues Drummer.” Lynch, who just may be the hardest working man in Buffalo showbiz, could have just as convincingly claimed the prize in rock, pop, folk and bluegrass.

As has been the case since the BMAs began, variety was the order of the evening. Below is the full list of winners. Congratulations to all. Bands: Alternative Rock: Suckerpunch. Rock: Black Widow. Hard Rock: All Jacked Up. Classic Rock: The Strangers. Pop/Rock: Boogie Monsters. Classic Pop: Boys of Summer. New Group: Wide Right. Country: Bareback Jack. Tribute: Strictly Hip. Show Band: Terry Buchwald.

Solo/Vocals:

Solo: Gregg Sansone. Duo/Trio: Amanda Nagurney and Joe Childs. Group Vocals: Boys of Summer. Female Vocalist (Cover): Lana Hergert. Male Vocalist (Rock): Mark Valentino. Male Vocalist (Hard Rock Cover): Dan Laboski.

Rock (Individual awards):

Rock Guitarist: Dan Kaplin. Hard Rock Guitarist: Jason Neubauer. Rock Keyboardist: Bruce Decker. Rock Bassist: Mike Schill. Pop/Rock Bassist: Eric Gismondi. Pop/Rock Drummer: David Green. Rock Drummer: Jay “Taz” Kuzara.

Original:

New Original Band: The Brass Monkeez. Original Rock: Free Henry! Original: Steam Donkeys. Original Alternative: Alison Pipitone Band. Male Vocalist: Buck Quigley. Female Vocalist: Alison Pipitone. Guitarist: Ron LoCurto. Bassist: Jim Wynn. Drummer: Gary Kowalski. Acoustic Solo: Maria Sebastian.

Blues:

Traditional Blues Band: Speedy Parker Blues Band. Crossover: Mick Hayes Band. Keyboardist: JJ Moscato. Guitarist: Mick Hayes. Bassist: Dave Frost. Drummer: Rob Lynch. Female Vocalist: Kate Engler. Male Vocalist: Jony James. Harmonica: Harmonica Dean. Sax: Chu Nero. Instrumentalist: Julie Ann.

R&B/Jazz: R&B Band: The Diamond

Band. R&B Female Vocalist: Nikki Hicks. Male Vocalist: CJ Swann. Drummer: Joe Brennen. Bassist: Jerry Sampson. Guitarist: Michael DiSanto. Keyboardist: Eric Crittenden. Horn Section: Nickel City Pimp Choir Horns. Jazz Small Band: Jennifer May’s Ladies First Jazz Quartet. Jazz Big Band: Easy Street Big Band.

Clubs: Blues Club: Lafayette Tap

Room. Dance/Music Club: Club Infinity. Party Bar USA: Sunset Bay. Restaurant/Music Club (Erie County): Dock at the Bay. Music Club (Niagara County): Dockside on the Canal. Pop/Rock Top 40 Club: Club Paradise. Concert Club: The Tralf. Eclectic Club: Sportsmen’s Tavern. Rock/Alternative Club: Macaroon’s. New Club/Restaurant: The Aud Sports Bar & Grill. Jazz Club/R&B: Anchor Bar. Lounges: Shadow Lounge. Niagara Falls Club: Evening Star.