DIANA BRAITHWAITE -2024 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-2024 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: 2024
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.
LIVE SHOW AND RECORDING REVIEWS AND QUOTES
THE EDMONTON JOURNAL
Four must-see acts at the Edmonton Blues Festival
By Roger Levesque
No strangers to Edmonton, Toronto veterans Braithwaite (vocals) and Whiteley (guitar, trumpet) have fashioned one of the best blues duos around, winning Maple Blues Awards and Blues Foundation nominations in the U.S., and touring internationally with their mix of early period blues styles and original tunes in a similar vein.
LIVING BLUES MAGAZINE – ISSUE 235 DIANA BRAITHWAITE &
CHRIS WHITELEY
“The Canada-based duo of Diana Braithwaite and Chris Whiteley are known for their fine fusion of modern sensibilities with classic blues styles. Their latest release, is no exception: the vocalist and multi-instrumentalist have put together a harmonious assortment of originals and covers that sounds both timely and timeless at once. Every song has a tale to tell, and Diana Braithwaite and Chris Whiteley convey each one in their elegant, eloquent fashion.”
—Melanie Young
Diana Braithwaite & Chris Whiteley Feature of the Week on celebrity Dan Akroyd Blues Breaker List for their song “Florida”
Feature of the Week! Diana Braithwaite and Chris Whiteley have been making music together since 2005. They are each talented performers in their own right, she as a singer, songwriter and interpreter of the blues, and he as a guitar player, songwriter and cornet player. He won Canada’s Maple Blues Award in 2014 for the top blues horn player…for the 7th time. Here are Diana Braithwaite and Chris Whiteley….“Florida!”
Dan Akroyd- The Bluesmobile Radio Show
THE TORONTO SUN -Rhythms ’N’ Rhymes “
Talented couple highlight the TD Toronto Jazz festival, which kicks off today across the city.”Chris Whiteley and Diana Braithwaite, my favourite blues couple, make some of the most inventive, thought-ful and soulful blues in this country ….
Errol Nazareth
XM/Sirius Radio Bluesville – Recording hits # 1 on the charts
Electro-Fi Release – 2010 – Night Bird Blues – hits #2 on Bluesville & Electro-Fi release “Deltaphonic” charted #1 on XM/Sirius Radio’s B.B. King’s Bluesville Radio chart in 2011 Blues country was recorded with Gary Kendall-Bass, Mike Fonfara-Keys, Mike Fitzpatrick-Drums, Pat Carey-Sax
GOLD CADILLAC MAKes TOP 10 for BEST ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Gold Cadillac makes the best album of the year Jazz FM Top 10 list released January 2020!
Gold cadillac Review 2020
Diana Braithwaite and Chris Whiteley are Canadian ambassadors of the blues, offering their unique take on the genre while travelling the globe in harmonious good will. Any album by these two is sure to be heartfelt and true to the tradition, as well as groundbreaking in their easygoing way. Gold Cadillac finds the twosome authentically taking on many blues styles. Multi-instrumentalist Whiteley masters every lick on the guitar, harmonica and trumpet, while Braithwaite brings thoughtful wisdom to every lyric. When the two sing together, the blend is indicative of the abiding love they share and the example they set of harmony in more than just music. Gold Cadillac takes the pair a little further down the road they travel together just as it takes the listener to a place where blues meets a whole lot more. Danny Marks- BLUZ FM ON JAZZ FM
QUOTES
“Diana is a branch close to the root. The expression “Real Deal” may be overused, in “ this case, it’s absolute.” Danny Marks- Bluz FM on Jazz FM 2019
“If you’re a lover of downhome blues, you’ve come to the right place”
Greg Bluzdog Szlony BLUES BLAST MAGAZINE
“The duo of Diana Braithwaite and Chris Whiteley are known for their fine fusion of modern sensibilities with classic blues styles”
– LIVING BLUES MAGAZINE
“They really hit their stride exploring the poignancy of Skip James “Hard Time Killin Floor”
– Frank John Hadley
– DOWNBEAT MAGAZINE
“Superbly effortless Chris Whiteley and Diana Braithwaite, whose genius simply flowed.”
– TORONTO STAR, Richard Ouzounian
“Braithwaite and Whiteley pay homage to a bygone era of blues!”
“Vintage! A sweet-sounding touch of class from Chicago’s past”
“Masters of Old School Blues!”
–BLUES REVUE MAGAZINE, USA
“Best in vintage blues, the real deal…”
– DOWNBEAT MAGAZINE
“Electro-Fi’s latest offering will be regarded as “manna from heaven”
“Whiteley’s guitar…brings Lonnie Johnson to mind”
“Braithwaite’s “classic blues” styled vocals mesh irresistibly with Whiteley’s Broonzy stylings” BLUES IN BRITAIN MAGAZINE Blues Revue Magazine-USA
“Two talented performers join forces…”Whiteley’s “Great Big City …
holds special appeal” DOWNBEAT MAGAZINE
Frank-John Hadley
“Back to that Bluebird sound” “Diana’s voice is full of class
and dignity”BLUES RADIO POLAND
“Chris Whiteley… Un musicien de bon gout, qui puisse aux meilleures sources (blues, jazz, swing) du patrimoine musical americain. D’autre part, c’est un bon chanteur, doté d’une voix douce teintée de bourbon”
SOUL BAG FRANCE
“Won me over at first listen…expressive and beautiful”
CBC – CANADA
“Diana Braithwaite is “a blues diva of outstanding talent”
BLUES IN BRITAIN
“Diana Braithwaite is a national treasure. Her blues goes back to the land where blues began”
Danny Marks, JAZZ FM 91.1
“Timeless blues lovingly sung and played” John Valentyn – Toronto Blues Society – Top Blues Pick – July 2019
“Superbly effortless Chris Whiteley and Diana Braithwaite, whose genius simply flowed.” ~ TORONTO STAR October 2, 2014 Richard Ouzounian
“Braithwaite’s voice is a crystal clear, full-bodied, gorgeous instrument.” ~ BLUES IN BRITAIN MAGAZINE
“Braithwaite and Whiteley have a beautiful way with a song” ~ BLUES REVUE MAGAZINE USA
“Diana Braithwaite is a national treasure.” ~DANNY MARKS BLUZ FM ON JAZZ FM
“The musical talents and abilities of Chris Whiteley are seemingly endless. As well as being an award-winning songwriter, he is equally at home on instruments as diverse as guitar, pedal steel, trumpet and harmonica.” ~ LATE MUSIC LEGEND JEFF HEALEY
AWARDS
2020 – Chris Whiteley wins! Best Horn Player of the Year 2019!! Maple Blues Awards
2019 – Diana & Chris’s blues recording Gold Cadillac makes the Top 10 list! of the best albums of 2019 – Jazz-FM
2018 – Diana Braithwaite – Awarded Global Music Bronze Award – Best Female Jazz Vocalist
2018 Winner – Diana Braithwaite Life Time Achievement – Blues With A Feeling Award – Maple Blues Awards
2014 Winner Chris Whiteley – Best Horn Player of the Year – Maple Blues Awards -for the 7th time!
2011 Winner – Chris Whiteley Life Time Achievement – Blues With A Feeling Award – Maple Blues Awards
Diana & Chris Win Canada’s SOCAN Best Songwriters Award
Chris – Winner ~ Jazz Report ~ Album of the year
Diana – Winner of The African ~ American Women in The Arts Award ~ Chicago, Illinois USA
Diana – Winner of The Golden Sheaf Award ~ Best Soundtrack
Diana – Best Original Songs for feature-length movie ~ Canada
Diana – Gemini Award Winner ~ Canada