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Ken Whiteley

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About

Ken Whiteley is one of Canada’s pre-eminent performing artists. He’s been called a “playing encyclopaedia” for his vast repertoire, command of a wide variety of styles (including blues, gospel, swing, folk and his own compositions), and his prodigious ability on over a dozen instruments. His songs have been covered by half a dozen artists and his walls are adorned with a dozen gold and multiple platinum records, but it is the immense joy that communicates from all his musical endeavors that make his work so unique.

His performing career began in 1965 with a jugband that eventually became the Original Sloth Band. With the “Sloths,” Ken performed all over North America, recorded three albums (now collector’s items) and appeared on Saturday Night Live with Leon Redbone. In the seventies his instrumental skill began to be employed in the recording studio on many albums and soon he began to occupy the producer’s chair. His groundbreaking work bringing the world of “roots” music to children’s recording has seen his productions sell five million copies and lead him to be called “the godfather of children’s music.” He has also produced recordings by people such as blues star John Hammond, Tom Paxton, and a host of others. Two recent releases have both been nominated for Juno awards - “Where Old Friends Meet” with Mose Scarlett and Jackie Washington; and his collaboration with brother Chris, “Bluesology” which was a 1994 Juno nominee and winner of the Jazz Report “Blues Album of the Year” award.

Ken’s latest recorded work is called “Acoustic Eclectic” which is part of a 3-CD box set, “Three by Three: Old Friends Meet Again.” As the title suggests, more than half a dozen styles are represented. There are some great performances by Ken and a wonderful cast of musical friends including Jerry Douglas, Cathy Fink, Marcy Marxer, and many others. He also wrote eleven of the sixteen songs. Whether on a recording or live, it is always a special pleasure to share with him something done with such love and skill. As the Toronto Sun has said, “With Whiteley our enjoyment is assured.”

Awards

2005 Estelle Klein Achievement Award for his contributions to the Canadian roots music community

Canadian Folk Music Award for Best Children’s Recording

Genie Award for Best Original Song 2004

Juno Award Nominations for Bluesology” and “Where Old Friends Meet”

Winner of the Jazz Report “Blues Album of the Year” Award

Reviews

"The title song on Ken Whiteley's latest album is an infectious gospel number featuring four part vocal harmonies and the pedal steel of Chuck Campbell of the Campbell Brothers of sacred steel fame. Listening is also an apt title for the album as, track to track, Whiteley demonstrates that he has, indeed, been listening to all kinds of music and integrating the influences into his own original songs. Stylistically, these songs range from Dixieland to blues, from R&B to world beat, from gospel to jazz and folk, sometimes combining more than one style in a particular song, as in "Falling Snow," a gentle jazz tune featuring a Celtic harp accompaniment.

Whiteley's messages are positive throughout the album. "Bird, Mole, Flower" is a paean to personal growth that uses nature's images of flying, digging and blooming as metaphors for perpetual self-discovery. The song has Whiteley's mandolin and Ernie Tollar's soprano sax soaring over Middle Eastern rhythms laid down by percussionist Ben Grossman. "Candlelight," which ends the album, is a quiet, jazz tune that pays tribute to the continuity of a love that, at the end of the day, one knows will be there tomorrow.

The only non-original song on the album is a rousing a cappella version of "Woke Up This Morning" that kick starts the CD."
Sing Out!
Spring 2001

 
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