“Masterful and amazing!” ~ Tampa Acoustic Music Exchange
Ken Whiteley is a Canadian roots music legend. His musical journey has taken him from jug band, folk and swing to blues, gospel and children’s music. Among numerous accolades, he’s been awarded a Canadian Folk Music Award, Genie Award for Best Original Song in a Canadian film, Lifetime Achievement recognition from Folk Music Ontario (Ontario Council of Folk Festivals) and Mariposa Folk Festival. He has also been nominated for 7 Juno awards and 16 Maple Blues Awards. Ken’s live performances showcase his outstanding musicianship on guitars and mandolin, award winning original songs and his powerful vocals, called “…a cross between Pete Seeger and Tony Bennett on 11!” Whether leading his own group, solo or collaborating with peers at blues, folk, children’s festivals and concerts of all sizes, his “…deep knowledge and infectious passion” guarantee good times for all. As a producer of over 160 recording projects, Ken’s productions have garnered 10 Canadian Gold and Platinum records, 4 American Gold records, 24 Juno and 2 Grammy nominations, and sold over 8 million copies.
On Sunday, March 19 at 2 p.m. along with soulful singers Ciceal Levy, David Wall and Pat Patrick, I will take the stage at the Revival (College & Shaw) marking the 21st anniversary of Sunday Gospel Matinees at Hugh’s Room Live.
After hosting gospel workshops at folk festivals for decades, I was excited by the unique, dynamic chemistry when artists shared a stage together. Something very special happened. So in late March of 2002, as George Bush was saber rattling to start the Iraq war, the first Ken Whiteley Sunday Gospel Matinee was held. It quickly became a Hugh’s Room tradition until cut short in March 2020. During that span of 18 years over a hundred different singers and musicians participated, representing an incredible range of musical styles and spiritual perspectives. I created the initial series to record an album that would become “Gospel Music Makes Me Feel Alright!”. Among the participants on that album are the singers joining me for the March 19 concert.
David Wall is a fabulous singer who came to prominence singing with the Bourbon Tabernacle Choir and later the Flying Bulgur Klezmer Band. He has two outstanding solo albums and his musical relationship with Ken goes back to the end of the 1970’s when he played spoons in the Spectrum Jug Band at the grade 7/8 alternative school where Ken taught music.
I first met Ciceal Levy when she was still finishing high school and sang with the Youth Outreach Mass Choir, which her dearly missed sister Amoy Levy led for many years. They were featured on an album I produced in the 1990’s called “Thank You, Lord”. She and Amoy sang and recorded with me regularly since that time until her sister’s passing at the end of 2020. Ciceal’s beautiful alto voice brings to mind comparisons with Mavis Staples.
Pat Patrick is that rarest of great singers, a true bass. With rich, mellifluous tones, Pat has sung in a variety of quartets and choirs and recorded and performed with Ken on many occasions. Listen to the recording “No Ways Tired” that appears on Gospel Music Makes Me Feel Alright! and you will hear the spontaneous applause as the audience hears Pat take the lead. Check out the video of “No Ways Tired” from this LINK.
CONCERT TICKETS are $25 (+ tax + fee) and available at https://hughsroomlive.com/tickets Doors open at 1 p.m. Open seating so come early.
I am delighted that my album “Long Time Travelling” has been nominated for a Canadian Folk Music Award for Best Traditional Album! All of the award activities are happening in Vancouver this year. On Friday, March 31 at 6 p.m. I will be performing in The Traditional Music Nominee Showcase Concert at Mel Lehan Hall. The award ceremonies take place Saturday, April 1 and Sunday, April 2 at 6 p.m, also at Mel Lehan Hall. The traditional album award (as well Children’s Album for which Hannah Shira Naiman is nominated for an album I produced) happen on Sunday and both award nights will be live streamed at www.folkawards.ca You can check out that site for ticket information as well if you are going to be in the Vancouver area.
In 2002 I began another longstanding tradition of giving Easter performances at the Sivananda Yoga Ashram in Val Morin, Quebec. For the last three years I have had to do them virtually but this year I will be returning in person, April 7 – 9. I will give a concert on Saturday evening and again on Sunday morning as part of their 6 a.m. Easter satsang as well as a participatory workshop during the day. It is a great place to go with daily yoga classes, sauna, great hiking trails and 2 delicious vegetarian meals a day.
I had a great time working on a new Kathy Reid Naiman children’s album, “Spring Is Coming” and I’m looking forward to starting a project with a great Canadian blues singer, Garnetta Cromwell. Stay tuned!
