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 included multiple ethnicities and religious backgrounds. The musical character of Lotus Wight brings together a decades-long distillation of both his diverse upbringing and the essential elements of American music; ingenuity, diversity, conflict, soul, wit, sweat and tears.
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 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 humor and music.
Video
Photos
(click for full size)
Music
Original Works for Voice and Banjo
Ode to the Banjo
Dates
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Saturday May 3 private house concert LOTUS WIGHT Maynooth House Concert
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Wednesday, May 7 with Aaron Jonah Lewis at the Tranzac in Toronto (20+) Aaron Jonah Lewis with Lotus Wight and a Concern of Banjos | Facebook
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Sunday May 11 Mother’s Day, The Pilot, Toronto The Pilot | Home
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Friday May 15 Couchiching Brewery Events | Brewery Bay Food Co
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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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Friday, May 23 The Black Horse Pub Live Music | The Black Horse Pub | Ontario
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Saturday May 24 Granite Restaurant, Bancroft Home - The Granite
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Sunday May 25, The Local Pub, Toronto
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Sunday June 8 The Local, Toronto 2pm
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Thursday, June 5, Market Hall. Peterborough, Ontario opening for Meredith Moon
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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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Saturday, June 21 Coach House Concert Series Brantford, Ontario Lotus Wight with special guest Nolan Gibson — Glenhyrst
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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 2 Blues Skies Festival, Clarendon Station, Ontario
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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.