“Masterful and amazing!” ~ Tampa Acoustic Music Exchange
Ken Whiteley has been playing folk, blues, gospel and other roots traditions at the highest level for well over fifty years. He has received many awards including a Canadian Folk Music Award, 7 Juno nominations, 18 Maple Blues nominations, a Genie Award (for Best Song in a Canadian Film) and Lifetime Achievement Awards from the Mariposa Folk Festival, The Maple Blues Awards and Folk Music Ontario but ultimately for Ken his music is all about making connection. He loves to get people singing with him whether he’s on a concert stage, a folk festival, a church service or a yoga ashram.
Ken has made over 32 albums and his most recent one, “Long Time Travelling” was just nominated for a Canadian Folk Music Award as Best Traditional Album this year. He has written over 400 songs that have won numerous awards and been covered by more than a dozen artists. Ken is a living link to the traditions of people he has sung and played with including Pete Seeger, The Georgia Sea Island Singers, Tom Paxton, John Hammond Jr., Blind John Davis and many others. He brings this vast experience to each performance as a way to allow all of us to come together through the power of song.
Ciceal Levy, Ken Whiteley & Ben Whiteley at the Lunenburg Folk Harbour Festival Photo by Darlene Awalt
I had a beautiful time in Nova Scotia this summer, playing at the fabulous Lunenburg Folk Harbour Festival performing with Ciceal Levy and Ben Whiteley. I also got time to hang with Old Man (Chris) Ludecke and his wife, incredible potter Teresa Bergen. Singer/songwriter Reggie Harris gave me a copy of his compelling memoir, “Searching for Solid Ground” which is worth seeking out and is available here.
On September 20 I joined people around the country and the world for “Draw The Line”, a gathering for people, peace and the planet. How can we collectively change the status quo and recognize that we are in a climate EMERGENCY!??? Let’s recognize our small but oversized integral part of this great whole and prioritize the well being of the planet (including all people) over short term profits that disproportionately benefit a very few. Here’s a very brief clip of me singing Bernice Johnson Reagon’s “Give Your Hands To Struggle” at the rally in front of Queen’s Park with a band led by Tania Gill. I was told close to 10,000 people participated in Toronto that day.
My version of “Give Your Hands To Struggle” is on my album, “Freedom Blues” and can be downloaded free at the bottom of this post.
Speaking of making the world better, unfortunately our Prime Minister is considering cuts to the arts. Here’s where you send a letter expressing your wish for more support for the arts. https://nwmd.social/s/copylink/4A-GaU2LeuDJwLCOme0=/b
On Saturday, October 4 at 1 p.m. I will be giving a concert at the Toronto Botanical Gardens (Lawerence and Leslie St. in Don Mills) for their Fall Ravine Festival. It should be a fun afternoon with lots of ways to enjoy the gardens and Wilket Creek Ravine, artist displays and a circus school. My concert should be nature and family friendly and like all Ken Whiteley shows have lots of chances for people to sing along. Admission is free! For more information go to https://torontobotanicalgarden.ca/event/tbg-fall-ravine-festival/
On Thursday, October 23 at 7:30 p.m. I will be performing a concert at Christie Gardens, a seniors living place near Chrisite and Dupont St. at 600 Melita Cres.
I’m very excited to be giving a concert November 8, 7:30 p.m. in Waterloo, ON at Emmanuel United Church, 22 Bridgeport Rd W. I played there a few years ago and it is lovely sounding space. Playing with me will be Ciceal Levy (vocals, percussion), Gord Mowat (string bass) and Bucky Berger (drums, vocals). Lots of blues, gospel and original songs, lots of chances to sing along and a great, dynamic band to play with. You can get tickets here:
Emmanuel United Church in Waterloo where I’ll be playing Nov. 8 with Ciceal Levy, Gord Mowat and Bucky Berger.
Meanwhile I’m putting the finishing touches on a new album titled “Keep Going”. The music is a bluesy mix of old and new songs with lots of wonderful singing including by Ciceal Levy, the late Betty Richardson, Eve Goldberg and Pat Patrick. My brother, Chris Whiteley plays some great harmonica and cornet.. I play lots of stuff including 5 or 6 different guitars, piano, Hammond organ, a complete mandolin quartet and both string and electric bass. It should be available early in the new year. There may be advance releases of a single or two prior to the whole album release so stay tuned.
Ken Whiteley in the studio recording new album “Keep Going”
Looking further ahead, in December I will be doing a number of Christmas shows with The Sultans Of String Christmas Caravan. Also put May 2, 2026 in your calendars for a special “Ken Whiteley 75th Birthday Celebration” at Hugh’s Room on Broadview Ave. in Toronto. Below is the mp3 of Give Your Hands To Struggle. You can download it for free by clicking on the three dots to the right of the speaker symbol and choosing “download”. Hope to see you soon!
