Three Whiteleys: Ken, Chris and Jesse

Brothers Chris and Ken Whiteley have spent years becoming well versed in a multitude of musical styles by drawing inspiration from many wells. Whether playing blues, swing, jazz, gospel, rhythm and blues, jug band or folk, the brothers do it with finesse, respect and intimate knowledge. These qualities have served them very, very well.

Chris and Ken’s list of musical accomplishments thus far reads like a list of dream goals talented musicians would set for their entire careers. Since the sixties, The Whiteley Brothers, together and individually, have been in demand as performers, multi-instrumentalist session players, songwriters and producers. With over 150 recordings between them, eight Juno nominations, Blues Album of the Year Award, multiple Lifetime Achievement Awards, and countless festival appearances, the two have explored their musical creativity to great critical and popular success. Among many others, they’ve worked with John Hammond Jr., Leon Redbone, Blind John Davis, Guy Davis, The Campbell Brothers, and were the first Canadian act invited to perform at the prestigious Chicago Blues Festival. And throughout, the brothers have continued to create their own blues inspired music.

Toronto native Jesse Whiteley is a young and passionate multi-talented pianist/keyboardist, singer, composer, arranger, and bandleader. He comes from a third generation of one of Canada’s most renowned musical families, the Whiteley family. Throughout his diverse musical life, Jesse has performed the gamut of musical genres from blues, jazz, swing, boogie woogie, rhythm and blues, to roots, and country. Jesse began working professionally at age 17 with the Toronto All-Star Big Band. Throughout his years with the Big Band, he has worked as both a pianist and conductor and has been a featured performer with such luminaries from the blues and jazz world as Clark Terry, Jackie Richardson, Oliver Jones, Cleo Laine and John Dankworth, and Doc Severinsen. From 2014 to 2017, Jesse toured and recorded as a member of The 24th Street Wailers, playing across Canada and The United States. He has also recorded and toured throughout Canada, The United States, and Europe with Ottawa’s JW-Jones. He has appeared on recordings with legendary blues musicians Curley Bridges, Little Charlie Baty, Charlie Musselwhite, dad, Chris Whiteley and uncle, Ken Whiteley.