Ken Whiteley

Ken Whiteley is one of Canada’s most respected “roots” musicians. Drawing on his incredibly rich background in blues, gospel and folk styles, this 7 time Juno award nominee is always a wonderful addition to any festival or concert series. He has played at virtually every major folk festival in Canada and performed and recorded with such legends as Pete Seeger, John Hammond Jr., Tom Paxton, Blind John Davis, Stan Rogers, The Campbell Brothers, Guy Davis, Raffi, Linda Tillerey & the Cultural Heritage Choir and countless others. A prolific songwriter, a gifted and versatile instrumentalist and a powerful singer, Whiteley’s music communicates themes of freedom, love, spiritual aspiration and social comment. His performances are presented with particapatory humor, grace and energy.

His performing career began as a teenager in the 1960’s with brother Chris and friend Tom Evans as The Original Sloth Band. With the Sloths, Ken performed all over North America and appeared on Saturday Night Live with Leon Redbone. His collaborations with brother Chris (The Whiteley Brothers) and old friends Mose Scarlett and Jackie Washington (Scarlett, Washington & Whiteley) resulted in a wonderful collection of recordings, garnering high praise, successful tours and several awards. Ken’s most recent collaboration is Ken Whiteley and the Beulah Band. Whether performing solo or playing with any of his large circle of musical friends, as one critic has said, “with Ken Whiteley our enjoyment is virtually assured.”

Ken Whiteley is a busy musician who is always involved in a number of projects. He is an active record producer, having worked on more than 135 albums. His productions have resulted in 11 Gold or Platinum albums, 22 Juno nominations, 2 Juno winners and 2 Grammy nominations, with total sales in excess of 8 million copies. He has written the music for a number of films and television programs. Whatever he does, it reflects his “briliant musicianship and high test passion”.  In the words of Sing Out! magazine, “Ken Whiteley is one of the best.”

It’s been 10 years since Ben Whiteley first began performing with his Dad, Canadian folk legend Ken Whiteley.  This past winter they decided to share the producer role for Ken’s new cd and Ben began sharing his insight about where he thought his father’s work might best focus.  That shaped a winter of songwriting with definite funky, folky elements.  As spring returned, they began talking about who best to play this new material with.  When they got together with banjoist extraordinaire, Frank Evans and  fantastic fiddler, Rosalyn Dennett, not only did the arrangements come alive, but they found they had that most special of things – a marvelous, 3 part vocal blend.  And so was born Ken Whiteley and The Beulah Band!

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