Year: 2019

It’s with great sadness that I mark the passing of my old friend, Moseley Stephen Scarlett, who died on May 30.  When I say old friend, we became friends in the 1960’s.  In 1969 we made our Mariposa Folk Festival debut at the same “New Songwriters” concert.  We played together often through the 70’s & 80’s, but the 20 years working together with our friend Jackie Washington really took our friendship to another level.  As well as his amazing, baritone voice and crisp, fingerpicking guitar he will be missed for his generous spirit, great sense of humour and loquaciousness.

On Saturday, June 8, 2 p.m. at the Robert Gill Theatre, 214 College (and St. George), there is the Toronto release concert for a wonderful, fascinating recording project I helped produce called the Afro-Metis Nation Constitution. The existence of a large number of people from Nova Scotia with mixed African Canadian and Indigenous ancestry is a part of Canada’s history that is really just being told for the first time.  The five artists share this legacy with great songs and spoken word. They include George Elliott Clarke, Sugar Plum Croxen, Shelley Hamilton, Russ Kelley and Chris White. I’ll be backing them up (on bass among other things). The concert is FREE!

It’s with great sadness that I mark the passing of my old friend, Moseley Stephen Scarlett, who died on May 30.  When I say old friend, we became friends in the 1960’s.  In 1969 we made our Mariposa Folk Festival debut at the same “New Songwriters” concert.  We played together often through the 70’s & 80’s, but the 20 years working together with our friend Jackie Washington really took our friendship to another level.  As well as his amazing, baritone voice and crisp, fingerpicking guitar he will be missed for his generous spirit, great sense of humour and loquaciousness.

I plan to sing a little tribute to him at the  Big Blues Bash, starting at 7:30 on Tuesday, June 4 taking place at the Cadillac Lounge in Parkdale.  It’s an amazing lineup including Suzie Vinnick, Samantha Martin, Jennie Thai, Bird Stafford many more, with a house band led by Gary Kendall. It’s a benefit for the Toronto Blues Society.

We hope you’ll join us this Sunday afternoon! The 16th anniversary finale of Ken Whiteley’s Sunday afternoon Gospel series @ Hugh’s Room Live will feature the award winning vocalist and songwriter Skakura S’Aida and the amazing musical prowess of Nikki D. Brown & The Sisters of Thunder. The final show in this season’s series will bring together an incredible afternoon of gospel blues. Music from 2pm. There is a $25 all-you- can-eat buffet before the concert or you’re welcome to arrive just in time for the music. Advance tickets online from Hugh’s Room Live or in person at the door. See you there!

On April 17 @ the Jazz Bistro, a new chapter begins with Whiteley Wednesdays, featuring Chris, Jesse and Ken Whiteley playing and singing a unique assortment of jazz standards and occasional originals all tinged with swinging blue notes.  This will be the first “gig” by this Whiteley trio, brothers Chris (trumpet, guitar, vocals) and Ken (guitar, vocals) with Chris’ son, Jesse (piano, vocals).  Of course we’ve played together before lots of times but it wasn’t until Jesse was debuting a collaboration with Raoul Bhaneja at the Jazz Bistro that this particular combination came up in public. Chris and I were sitting in, the three of us played a song together and the next day, Sybil from the Jazz Bistro was in touch to make this happen.  The plan is for a combination of Whiteleys to hold down the Wednesdays of April 17, May 22 and June 19.  After that, who knows?  

GOSPEL SERIES FINALE!

“Sacred Steel” with the Jimi Hendrix of Sacred Steel, Nikki “D” with The Sisters of Thunder and just announced… Canadian Maple Blues Award winning vocalist Skakura S’Aida on March 31.

Brunch Reservations (all you can eat $25 buffet) &/or Show tickets available now from Hugh’s Room Live.

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THIS AFTERNOON!

“Gospel Allstars” with vocalists The Fabulous Levy Sisters (Amoy & Ciceal), David Wall & Pat Patrick, and bassist Ben Whiteley on February 24. Brunch Reservations (all you can eat $25 buffet) &/or Concert tickets available from Hugh’s Room Live.

GOSPEL SERIES FINALE!

“Sacred Steel” with the Jimi Hendrix of Sacred Steel, Nikki “D” with The Sisters of Thunder and just announced… Canadian Maple Blues Award winning vocalist Skakura S’Aida on March 31.

Brunch Reservations (all you can eat $25 buffet) &/or Show tickets available now from Hugh’s Room Live.

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The Artists of Borealis: James Gordon 6:15pm, Emily Stam & John Williams 7:15pm, Mose Scarlett 8:15pm and Ken Whiteley 9:15pm on Saturday, February 23 at the Black Swan Tavern, 2nd Floor, 154 Danforth Ave. Doors open at 6pm. Tickets online $15 in advance & $25 at the door.