Islamic Invitation Centre
Dawud Wharnsby Ali |
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Nationality: |
Canadian |
Convert : |
yes |
| Contact : | none |
| Official website: | none |
| Further details: | Up Close: Interview with Dawud Wharnsby Ali |
Description: |
An Ontario native, of English-Scottish descent, Dawud (formerly `David') Wharnsby Ali, left a brief career as a singer/songwriter and performer in Celtic and traditional Folk circles, after embracing Islam in 1993. 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 other young Canadian musicians and songwriters, performing at intimate clubs, coffeehouses, universities, and folk festivals. In 1991 Wharnsby began to devote 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 15 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 Yusuf Islam (“Bismillah”, “In Praise of The Last Prophet”), Zain Bhikha (“Faith”), Irfan Makki (“Light Upon Light”), Danny Thompson, Stephen Fearing, Irshad Khan and Bill Kocher. 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. |
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