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A third generation Canadian with Scottish and British roots, Dawud (David)
Wharnsby Ali was born and raised in Southern, Ontario. Hints that his creative
side was stronger than his will to apply himself academically surfaced early
during Wharnsby's school years, where he spent long hours writing stories and
drawing cartoons which were not part of class curriculum. Independently minded
and somewhat introverted, Wharnsby spent extended nights writing, listening to
music, and absorbing books of Hindu, Buddhist and Taoist literature.
Gradually his spiritual identity developed and matured alongside his craft of
composing poetry and song. By the age of 18, Wharnsby had taught himself to play
a variety of musical instruments and blended his introspective lyrics with his
simple yet distinctive voice. He soon began to network with a diverse array of
other young Canadian musicians and songwriters, performing at intimate clubs,
coffeehouses, universities, and folk festivals alongside the likes of Bill
Kocher and Paul MacLeod.
In 1991 Wharnsby began devoting himself to a diverse array of activities,
working as a puppeteer and children's educator, a traveling troubadour and a
personal health care assistant for the physically disabled. His zeal for travel
and exploration often found him spontaneously taking extended hikes, walking for
days, weeks and sometimes months through parts of Canada, the U.S. and the
United Kingdom. Fascinated with birth, death, faith, the occult and his Celtic
roots, Wharnsby's songs and writings became a reflection of his continued
interest in eastern philosophy and spirituality.
Easily recognizable musical and theological influences found their way into his
experimental expressions. The diversity of artists such as Jane Sibbery, Laura
Nyro, Cat Stevens (Yusuf Islam), Phil Ochs, Natalie Merchant and Pete Townshend
were all evident in his musical ramblings, while concepts from the Tao-Te Ching,
the Qur'an, the Bhagavad-Gita and the Dhammapada provided subtle foundations to
his lyrics and poetry.
Individually, and as part of an acoustic folk duo with Celtic vocalist/harpist
Heather Chappell, Wharnsby participated in the production and limited release of
several recordings. In 1992 he created an independent label, distributing a
collection of traditional songs ("Off To Reap The Corn"). Social gatherings,
performances and expectations quickly increased. Often frustrated by bouts of
extreme stage-fright and generally uncomfortable in crowds, Wharnsby was torn
between the competitive nature of the music circles he had stumbled into, and
his private quest for peace and contentment.
After three years of intensive music, theater, travel and personal study, Dawud
participating in the production of Fine Flowers In The Valley (1994) with
Chappell, recorded and independently released an introspective CD of his
original material entitled Blue Walls and The Big Sky (1995), then
suspended his maturing music career to focus more seriously on the education of
children. Inspired by the experience of travel to the ancient Arabian cities of
Mecca and Medinah in 1995, Dawud began to experiment with new styles of writing
- merging the Celtic/folk styles of his upbringing with sounds and
embellishments of the Middle and Far East. In 1996 he recorded and released A
Whisper Of Peace, a collection of motivational and educational songs for
children, which was followed closely by a second recording entitled The
Colours Of Islam (1998). Built upon simple a capella voices, with lyrics
drawing directly from Islamic tradition and spirituality, Wharnsby-Ali's
educational recordings combine elements of his past musical influences with his
love of children, nature and continued spiritual development.
In 1998 Wharnsby-Ali joined Chicago based multimedia organization Sound
Vision.Com as an educational consultant and full-time audio director, assisting
in the production of over 20 documentaries and children's programs since that
time. Other internationally recognized audio works by Wharnsby-Ali include
Road To Madinah (1999), The Letter - Songs Of Struggle And Hope
(1999), Sunshine, Dust and The Messenger (2001) and most recently The
Prophet's Hands. Distribution of Wharnsby-Ali's most recent material is
difficult to gage. In true folk song tradition, his writings have taken on a
life of their own - spreading far beyond official marketing territories by way
of a bootleg industry which circulates his recordings unofficially and
uncontrollably throughout the world - with extensive radio air play in parts of
the U.K., Africa, The Middle East, Australia, South America and Asia.
In recent years, Wharnsby-Ali has expanded his efforts in the areas of
multi-media by networking with other artists around the world, encouraging youth
to exercise their spirituality and creativity through the arts. Several of
Wharnsby-Ali's most recent compilation recordings feature long-awaited
collaborative works with the likes of artist and peace activist Yusuf Islam (Cat
Stevens), South African songwriter Zain Bhikha, Toronto singer Irfan Makki, bass
legend Danny Thompson, Canadian singer/songwriter Stephen Fearing, world renown
Sitar master Irshad Khan, Canadian songwriter Bill Kocher, and award winning
producer/songwriter Zuriani.
Wharnsby-Ali currently resides in Ontario Canada and Colorado, U.S.A., where, in
addition to his work with Sound Vision.Com, he works as both a social activists
and educational consultant. He frequently assists with television and video
production and has been called upon to participate in, lend his music to, or
personally host television programs produced with the support of Canada?s Vision
TV, the National Film Board of Canada, CBC, CTV and BBC Scotland. Wharnsby-Ali
travels extensively throughout the world and is often called upon to speak at
schools and universities - addressing gatherings of all ages with his
motivational lectures and diverse educational programs for children.Official Web Site: http://www.wharnsby.com |
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