The Sunday Blues Jam and Nanaimo Blues Society presents:
..:: Diana Braithwaite & Chris Whiteley ::..
SHOWTIME: Doors 6pm; Showtime 7-9pm
TICKETS: $25 Advance — Available at: https://island-blues.tickit.ca/?fbclid=IwAR3AV5VikSBsGxY4Z6emI6w9BB8HWhWK6dhq_RqXe6oDUOLrDWJaKBPPuC8
ARTIST BIOS:
DIANA BRAITHWAITE - 2022 BRIEF BIO
When Diana Braithwaite sings, you hear passion, with sultry stories of life beautifully expressed through music. Born in Toronto, Braithwaite is a descendant of the Wellington County pioneers in Canada. With roots in the southern United States her ancestors escaped slavery through the Underground Railroad and lived for four generations in Wellington County, the first African-Canadian pioneer settlement in Ontario. Dubbed “a national treasure” by BLUZ-FM’s Radio host Danny Marks, Diana Braithwaite combines elements from Dinah Washington, Koko Taylor, Esther Phillips and others to create her own unique appealing and expressive blues style.
CHRIS WHITELEY-2022 BRIEF BIO
During his career, Chris Whiteley toured with Stuart Maclean’s Vinyl Café show on CBC for 10 years. Kansas born multi-instrumentalist Chris Whiteley, (guitar, harmonica, trumpet, steel guitar), has had an illustrious music career spanning some 50 years since his early beginnings with the renowned Sloth Band. A legend on the Canadian music scene, Whiteley’s extensive touring career includes working with many renowned jazz and blues legends such as Eddie “Cleanhead” Vinson and countless appearances on television and radio including a special guest appearance on Saturday Night Live with the international recording artist Leon Redbone. A multiple award-winning international touring performer, Chris Whiteley has appeared on over 250 recordings. In January 2020 Chris Whiteley won the Maple Blues Award for the top blues horn player in Canada–for the 9th time.
DIANA & CHRIS – COMBINED BIO: 2022
The blues couple have recorded 8 previous albums together and have toured all over North America, UK and Europe winning numerous awards for their songwriting and albums together.
Their first CD collaboration, MORNING SUN, garnered rave reviews, extensive air play, and led to multiple Canadian MAPLE BLUES NOMINATIONS & AWARDS, including Album of the year, and Acoustic Act of the year. Their second albums, also recorded for the Electro-Fi label, NIGHT BIRD BLUES was extremely well received, with great reviews and airplay internationally. It led to them being awarded 3 MAPLE BLUES AWARDS in January 2010, including being recognized as SONGWRITERS OF THE YEAR. Their third Electro-Fi release, DeltaPhonic, led to more Maple Blues Awards, and reached number 1 on B.B. Kings Bluesville XM Sirius satellite radio network.
They have continued to tour tirelessly across Europe and North America, appearing at Festivals and concerts, as well as numerous radio and television appearances. Highlights include 4 successful tours of Art Centers and Blues venues in the U.K., including featured performances at the Great British R & B Festival in Colne and the Monaghan Harvest Blues Festival in Ireland, concert appearances in Russia, Spain and Europe, and numerous national tours of Canada. Their American profile continues to expand, with such events as the Hudson River Park Blues Festival in New York City, Tinner Hill Blues Fest in Virginia, and appearances on TV and National Public Radio.
SONGWRITING Additional to touring and performing, Diana and Chris are an award-winning songwriting team, signed with the international music publishing house – Nightingale Music to create and produce original songs for inclusion in movies, TV and film. Their latest project – Roadhouse Music Project was released internationally in 2018.
BLACK HISTORY – The Concert – Sugar and Gold – Stories of the Underground Railroad also premiered in February 2018, at four theatres across Ontario as Diana and Chris presented their new theatrical, musical show to standing ovations and welcoming audiences.
https://hotblues.ca