Lotus Wight plays banjo, guitar, jaw-harp and contra-bass harmoniphoneum. His original songs are celebrated as timeless works of art. Wight’s repertoire of old songs from the American cannon is painstakingly curated to surprise and delight, and he captivates his audience with humour and music.
To witness a performance by Lotus Wight is equal in marvel to the reading of a good book which you absolutely cannot put down. His passion for the music shines through every string and every phrase as he manages to captivate his audience in a fashion rarely witnessed in today’s musical age.
Meredith Moon-Recording Artist-Compass Records, Nashville
Lotus Wight arrived in Canada in a basket at the age of 18 months and grew up in downtown Toronto in the midst of three separate families that were highly diverse both racially and religiously. The musical character of Lotus Wight is the result of a decades-long distillation of the essential elements of American music; ingenuity, diversity, conflict, soul, wit, sweat and tears.
Video
Photos
(click for full size)
Music
Original Works for Voice and Banjo
Ode to the Banjo
Dates
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February 19-23 Le Centre Sheridan Montreal Folk Alliance International
Wednesday 19th room 820, 11:05 pm
Thurday, 20th room 1023, later that night 2:10 am room 912 -
February 26 Goodlot Farmstead Brewing Company Lotus Wight - Wed Feb 26
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February 28 Belong Restaurant, Sharbot Lake https://belongsharbotlake.ca/
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March 1 Rowantree Square Dance at The Village on Argyle
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March 8 Sap Party in Keene, Ontario
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April 3-7 TBA Northern Ontario Tour
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April 13 Katefest, Hamilton, Ontario
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Saturday May 3 private house concert
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Sunday May 11 Mother’s Day, The Pilot, Toronto
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Friday May16 Emmett Ray, Toronto, Ontario 9pm The Emmet Ray – Whisky Bar
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Saturday, May 17 Wolfe Island Hotel Events - Hotel Wolfe Island
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Sunday, May 18 Acoustic Grill, Picton Ontario Acoustic Grill – Restaurant in PEC
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Sunday June 8 The Local, Toronto 2pm
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Saturday, June 21 Skeleton Park Music Fest with Hezekiah Procter Skeleton Park Arts Festival – Events year-round with a big festival every June
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July 4-6 Northern Lights Festival Boreal, Sudbury, Ontario Schedule - Northern Lights Festival Boreal
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Saturday July 18 Stewart Park Folk Festival, Perth, Ontario Stewart Park Festival - Stewart Park Festival
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August 20-September 12 Sweden, Finland, Holland, Germany with Hezekiah Proctor
Lotus Wight Presents
The Hits of Leon Redbone
In this presentation Lotus Wight presents the music and influences of Leon Redbone. Live performances of material by Fats Waller, Jimmy Rogers, Bessie Smith with discussion of their work and times give historic context to this most unusual and influential performer.
This is an opportunity to see an artist of authentic originality discuss his own influences in a way that is both reverential and astonishing. Lotus discusses and performs the music of Leon Redbone with respect and relish. Not to be missed!
Lester Moncrief, Artistic Director
Celebrates the Music of Robert Johnson
In this presentation Lotus Wight discusses the music and times of Robert Johnson. Performances of adjacent artists’ music give insight into the style and creative choices of Johnson and provide valuable context for his much-discussed music. Leroy Carr, Charlie Patton and Jimmy Rogers preside, providing texture and context.
Lotus’ reverence to his favorite artists goes beyond what we might call an imitation, or ‘tribute’ act. Wight has obviously inhabited these musical worlds and presents the information and music in a way that is gentle and respectful, giving it the respect it so deserves.