Year: 2016

All the best to you and your family throughout the holidiays and the new year! I invite you to enjoy the title track, The Light of Christmas, from my CFMA nominated The Light of Christmas CD. Click on the CD artwork to hear the song. From the title track to the socially conscious Daily Bread to the compelling gospel of Hallelujah, A Child Is Born,these songs resonate with a rich, inclusive spirituality. 10% of all CD proceeds will go to support of The Daily Bread Food Bank in Toronto & the GTA. The CD is available exclusively from my online Store or you may also mail us your contact info along with a cheque made payable to Pyramid Records.

My next Sunday’s Gospel Matinee at Hugh’s Room is on January 29, 2017. I’m super pleased to announce that Juno & CFMA nominated The Marigolds (Caitlin Hanford, Gwen Swick, Suzie Vinnick), Joe Jencks (of Brother Sun) and Ben Whiteley will be featured guests. Contact Hugh’s Room for tickets and lunch reservations. For more gospel show info visit Ken’s gospel music page.

NEW CD: “In Freedom Blues Canadianroots music icon Ken Whiteley has crafted a timeless set of songs that address both contemporary and historical struggles for the freedom endemic to a healthy, progressive society. Deftly drawing on a wide range of musical sources including blues, gospel and, for lack of a better word, folk, Freedom Blues is a landmark album in Whiteley’s career and Canadian roots music in general.” ~ Grammy Award winnning musicologist, Rob Bowman

I hope you enjoy the first two YouTube videos “Bring It All Right Down” and “Give Your Hands To Struggle” from the Freedom Blues CD release concert in Toronto. Thanks to Riddle Films and specifically Liam Romalis and Mako Funasakafor the video production and all the incredible musicians including Amoy Levy, Ciceal Levy, Bucky Berger, Ewan Divitt, Richard Underhill, Perry White, Alastair Whitehead and Denis Keldie. Tell your friends to check this out.

TONIGHT! Doors open at 6:30pm. I’m delighted to once again be spending Christmas Eve with family, friends, the Rev. Anne Hines and the congregation of the Roncesvalles United Church (formerly the Howard Park United Church). Vocalists Amoy Levy & David Wall, bassist Ben Whiteley and I will join the Chancel & Gospel Choirs for their beautiful family oriented Carols by Candlelight service.The last ten years it has been standing room only, so arrive early to get a good seat. Suggested donation of $20 or pay what you can.

Give the gift of Music and more! My CFMA nominated CD, The Light of Christmas isnow available exclusively from my online Store. (Or you may also mail us your contact info along with a a cheque made payable to Pyramid Records.) From the socially conscious Daily Bread and the title track The Light Of Christmas to the compelling gospel of Hallelujah, A Child Is Born,these songs resonate with a rich, inclusive spirituality. 10% of all CD proceeds will go to support of The Daily Bread Food Bank in Toronto & the GTA. Click on the album cover to enjoy the title track of the CD.

My next Sunday’s Gospel Matinee at Hugh’s Room is on January 29, 2017. I’m super pleased to announce that Juno & CFMA nominated The Marigolds (Caitlin Hanford, Gwen Swick, Suzie Vinnick), Joe Jencks (of Brother Sun) and Ben Whiteley will be featured guests. Contact Hugh’s Room for tickets and lunch reservations. For more gospel show info visit Ken’s gospel music page.

NEW CD: “In Freedom Blues Canadianroots music icon Ken Whiteley has crafted a timeless set of songs that address both contemporary and historical struggles for the freedom endemic to a healthy, progressive society. Deftly drawing on a wide range of musical sources including blues, gospel and, for lack of a better word, folk, Freedom Blues is a landmark album in Whiteley’s career and Canadian roots music in general.” ~ Grammy Award winnning musicologist, Rob Bowman

I hope you enjoy the first two YouTube videos “Bring It All Right Down” and “Give Your Hands To Struggle” from the Freedom Blues CD release concert in Toronto. Thanks to Riddle Films and specifically Liam Romalis and Mako Funasakafor the video production and all the incredible musicians including Amoy Levy, Ciceal Levy, Bucky Berger, Ewan Divitt, Richard Underhill, Perry White, Alastair Whitehead and Denis Keldie. Tell your friends to check this out.

I’m delighted to once again be spending Christmas Eve with family, friends, the Rev. Anne Hines and the congregation of the Roncesvalles United Church (formerly the Howard Park United Church). Vocalists Amoy Levy & David Wall, bassist Ben Whiteley and I will join the Chancel & Gospel Choirs for their beautiful family oriented Carols by Candlelight service.The last ten years it has been standing room only, so arrive early to get a good seat. Suggested donation of $20 or pay what you can. Doors open at 6:30pm.

Give the gift of Music and more! My CFMA nominated CD, The Light of Christmas isnow available exclusively from my online Store. (Or you may also mail us your contact info along with a a cheque made payable to Pyramid Records.) From the socially conscious Daily Bread and the title track The Light Of Christmas to the compelling gospel of Hallelujah, A Child Is Born, these songs resonate with a rich, inclusive spirituality. 10% of all CD proceeds will go to support of The Daily Bread Food Bank in Toronto & the GTA. Click on the album cover to enjoy the title track of the CD.

My next Sunday’s Gospel Matinee at Hugh’s Room is on January 29, 2017. I’m super pleased to announce that Juno & CFMA nominated The Marigolds (Caitlin Hanford, Gwen Swick, Suzie Vinnick), Joe Jencks (of Brother Sun) and Ben Whiteley will be featured guests. Contact Hugh’s Room for tickets and lunch reservations. For more gospel show info visit Ken’s gospel music page.

NEW CD: “In Freedom Blues Canadianroots music icon Ken Whiteley has crafted a timeless set of songs that address both contemporary and historical struggles for the freedom endemic to a healthy, progressive society. Deftly drawing on a wide range of musical sources including blues, gospel and, for lack of a better word, folk, Freedom Blues is a landmark album in Whiteley’s career and Canadian roots music in general.” ~ Grammy Award winnning musicologist, Rob Bowman

I hope you enjoy the first two YouTube videos “Bring It All Right Down” and “Give Your Hands To Struggle” from the Freedom Blues CD release concert in Toronto. Thanks to Riddle Films and specifically Liam Romalis and Mako Funasakafor the video production and all the incredible musicians including Amoy Levy, Ciceal Levy, Bucky Berger, Ewan Divitt, Richard Underhill, Perry White, Alastair Whitehead and Denis Keldie. Tell your friends to check this out.

For a number of years I’ve been nominated for the “Blues With A Feeling Award” at the annual Canadian Maple Blues Awards, whichis a lifetime achievement recognition. I’ve never made any kind of real pitch to get people to vote for me before and sometimes I haven’t even voted myself. However I thought I’d at least put it out there this year. If you think that my 50 years playing the blues qualifies me, here is the link to register to vote. http://www.mapleblues.ca/register.aspx Anyone in Canada can vote and it’s free to do so without a TBS membership!

TODAY! Music from 2pm. Sunday’s Gospel Matinee at Hugh’s Room will feature two of my favourite singers in the world and four of my favourite musicians! Jackie Richardson and David Wall, each in their own way, have carved unique places in the annals of Canadian vocalists. When I talk about singing and gospel singing in particular, I always tell people that sincerity and depth of feeling is so much more important than “musical chops”. However when you combine that ability to go deep with amazing vocal musicianship, great artistry occurs. Jackie with herunmatched alto and David with his soaring tenor personify those qualities. Joe Sealy is a piano master of the highest order with rhythmic intensity, harmonic density and melodic creativity. Ben Whiteley has become one of the most in-demand bass players in the country and there’s no one I’d rather have with me holding down the bottom end. We hope you’ll join us. Contact Hugh’s Room for tickets and lunch reservations. For more gospel show info visit Ken’s gospel music page.

NEW CD: “In Freedom Blues Canadianroots music icon Ken Whiteley has crafted a timeless set of songs that address both contemporary and historical struggles for the freedom endemic to a healthy, progressive society. Deftly drawing on a wide range of musical sources including blues, gospel and, for lack of a better word, folk, Freedom Blues is a landmark album in Whiteley’s career and Canadian roots music in general.” ~ Grammy Award winnning musicologist, Rob Bowman

I hope you enjoy the first two YouTube videos “Bring It All Right Down” and “Give Your Hands To Struggle” from the Freedom Blues CD release concert in Toronto. Thanks to Riddle Films and specifically Liam Romalis and Mako Funasakafor the video production and all the incredible musicians including Amoy Levy, Ciceal Levy, Bucky Berger, Ewan Divitt, Richard Underhill, Perry White, Alastair Whitehead and Denis Keldie. Tell your friends to check this out.

This Sunday, I’m sitting in with Joanna Chapman-Smith as she releases her fabulous new CD, “Elon and the City of Stone”, which I produced. It’s a timeless story of a boy living in a great City of Stone, woven in between 12 original songs based on folk tales from around the world. Beautiful voice, intriguing storytelling, dance and art with additional music by arranger/composer David Stone on piano and yours truly on multiple strings. 7:30pm, Nov. 20th, Hugh’s Room. You definitely do not want to miss this! Contact Hugh’s Room for tickets.

TONIGHT! I will be joining a group of concerned musical friends at a fundraising event to support the work of Partera on Nov. 15th at Hugh’s Room. Show starts at 8:30pm.

Coming Soon! Digital downloads of the 3 classic Original Sloth Band albums – 1978, Whoopee After Midnight, Hustlin’ & Bustlin’. Email shari@kenwhiteley.com to be notified when they are available.

Raffi and I are celebrating 40 years of our first and still best-selling album, “Singable Songs for the Very Young” with a concert tour this November. Sing along to all your favorite songs like Baby Beluga, Bananaphone and many more. Concerts in Belleville on Nov. 12th andToronto on Nov. 13th with Kristin Cavoukian and Ben Whiteley. For show & ticket info visit http://www.childhonouring.org/concerts.html

I will be joining a group of concerned musical friends at a fundraising event to support the work of Partera on Nov.15th at Hugh’s Room. Contact Hugh’s Room for tickets.