Freedom Singer Khari Wendell McClelland

• 1 Song of the Agitators 03:06
• 2 No More Auction Block 03:24
• 3 Liberty Song 03:21
• 4 Never the Child Be Sold 03:31
• 5 Song of the Fugitive 05:15
• 6 Oh Dearest Mary 02:53
• 7 Am I Not a Man 04:08
• Total Runtime 25:38

Info for Freedom Singer

The Freedom Singer album is a culmination of a research project that started for Khari over two years ago, when he met the Governor General awarded writer Karolyn Smardz Frost. Through reading her work he was sparked by the childhood stories of his great-great-great-grandmother Kizzy who escaped US slavery through the Underground Railroad coming into Canada in the mid-1800s. This prompted Khari to start a journey of researching the songs that might have accompanied her on her journey and the family history surrounding her. Freedom Singer is a true celebration of black history, the album is a collection of rare and forgotten songs that McClelland interprets through the many styles and genres that helped to shape him. Using folk, gospel, country, hip hop and soul to reinvigorate these songs and build a bridge from the 1800s to the present.

Khari Wendell McClelland is a diversly talented and ever-evolving artist. Originally from Detroit, Khari has become a darling on the Canadian music scene with reviewers lauding his performances as a clever mix of soul and gospel. Khari’s songwriting crosses genres and generations, joyfully invoking the spirit of his ancestors who straddled the US-Canadian border in efforts to escape slavery and discrimination. His music draws from this rich history, integrating the rhythms and folklore of early African-Americans with contemporary sounds and stories of struggle. Khari also performs with the roots-gospel group The Sojourners. Whether on stage or in the studio, Khari’s passion for community, equality and justice is palpable, as is his belief in the redemptive power of music.

Steven Charles, banjo
Mark Beatty, bass
Khari Wendell McClelland, baritone ukulele
James Dandefer, flute, clarinet
Noah Walker, guitar
Elisa Thorn, harp
John Raham, percussion
Tyson Naylor, pump organ
Kevin Tang, trombone
Tim Sars, tuba
Kathleen Nisbet, violin
Tonye Aganaba, vocals
Juhli Conlinn, vocals
Rebekka Goldsmith, vocals
Marin Patenaude, vocals
Dawn Pemberton, vocals
Kristie McCracken, vocals
Marcus Mosely, vocals
Will Sanders, vocals

Recorded and mixed by John Raham at Afterlife Studios, Vancouver
Mastering by Graemme Brown
Produced by John Raham and Khari McClelland

Khari Wendell McClelland
is a diversely talented and ever-evolving artist. Originally from Detroit, Khari has become a darling on the Canadian music scene with reviewers lauding his performances as a clever mix of soul and gospel. Khari’s songwriting crosses genres and generations, joyfully invoking the spirit of his ancestors who straddled the US-Canadian border in efforts to escape slavery and discrimination. His music draws from this rich history, integrating the rhythms and folklore of early African-Americans with contemporary sounds and stories of struggle. Recently, Khari received critical acclaim for his Freedom Singer project, recreating the music fugitive slaves carried on their journey north into Canada. Khari also performs with the Roots Gospel group The Sojourners. Whether on stage or in the studio, Khari's passion for community, equality and justice is palpable, as is his belief in the redemptive power of music.

Khari’s recent jazz festival performances in Halifax, Winnipeg and Vancouver left audiences and reviewers wanting more. Opening for both Andra Day and Ms. Lauryn Hill, Khari is at home with Soul and R&B giants. His debut solo album "Fleeting Is The Time" is available through most online platforms.

His Latest project is Freedom Singer a mutli-disciplinary work of theatre, history and music:

Freedom Singer is both an album written and interpreted by Khari Wendell McClelland and a documentary theatre musical created by KWM, Project: Humanity's Andrew Kushnir and CBC's Jodie Martinson. Khari collected and interpreted songs that likely accompanied his great-great-great grandmother Kizzy as she fled US slavery into Canada. He uses a range of styles like hip-hop, gospel, folk and soul to create a bridge from the past to the present. The FREEDOM SINGER album is being released in early 2018.

“A moving musical journey along the Underground Railroad … with a Hamilton-esque twist: [the songs] are reinvented as hip-hop, funk and soul numbers … A Must-See.” –Toronto Life

“Freedom Singer asks intelligent, open-ended questions and balances them with emotional musical moments and McClelland’s indisputable musical talent.” –Globe and Mail

“… a melting pot of performance, catharsis and reconciliation …” –Vancouver Courier

“Khari Wendell McClelland took us to church!” –VanCity Buzz

“Freedom Singer is a gorgeous, thrilling, and refreshing theatre experience.” –My Entertainment World

This album contains no booklet.