Ken Whiteley

Ken Whiteley

http://www.kenwhiteley.com/

Ken Whiteley’s musical journey has taken him from jug band, folk and swing to blues, children's music, and gospel. Along with his multi-talented band you’ll be singing, clapping, swaying and maybe even dancing to songs from his Another Day’s Journey CD and more favourite classics. Ken’s concerts are always soul stirring, inspiring, participatory fun for music lovers of all ages.

Joining Ken on stage will be the gorgeous vocal harmonies and percussion of Pat Patrick and the Levy Sisters. Audiences always love Pat Patrick’s incredibly rich bass voice. Pat is Toronto’s, and possibly the country’s, deepest bass vocalist. Both Amoy & Ciceal Levy are extraordinary vocalists whose work can be found on many JUNO nominated projects. Deeply rooted in the gospel tradition, the sisters have been singing with Ken for 15 years and have performed with people as diverse as Celine Dion, Pete Seeger and Kirk Franklin. On piano/organ is Ken’s nephew Jesse Whiteley, one of Canada’s hottest young keyboardists. Jesse just returned home from a tour in Europe with JW Jones and he often sits in with his father Chris Whiteley and Diana Braithwaite too. Keeping the beat is acclaimed drummer and percussionist, Brad Hart. Brad plays with Amélie Lefebvre & Les Singes Bleus, and Evalyn Parry. Holding down the bottom end with his big string bass is George Koller, a multi-award winning jazz musician, and a favourite of past Jazz Sudbury Festival audiences. He'll be playing with the lovely Rita Chiarelli earlier in the weekend.

Ken Whiteley is a Canadian roots music legend. He has performed with musical legends from the late Jackie Washington and Jeff Healey to Pete Seeger, Tom Paxton and Leon Redbone (with whom he performed on Saturday Night Live). Recognized as a gifted guitarist and mandolinist, Ken has an impressive repertoire and a prodigious ability to play over 20 instruments. Among numerous accolades, he has been recognized with a Jazz Report Blues Album of the Year, Canadian Folk Music Award, Genie Award for Best Original Song in a Canadian film, and Lifetime achievement awards from the Ontario Council of Folk Festivals and Mariposa Folk Festival. It should come as no surprise to learn that his recording studio walls are adorned with over a dozen gold and multi-platinum records.