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Dawud Wharnsby

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Dawud Wharnsby
Birth nameDavid Howard Wharnsby
Also known asDawud Wharnsby-Ali
Dawud Ali[1]
Born (1972-06-27) June 27, 1972 (age 52)
Kitchener, Ontario, Canada
GenresFolk
Nasheed
Spoken Word
Hamd
World music
Occupation(s)Musician, songwriter, producer, poet
Instrument(s)Vocals, guitar, mandolin, banjo, bazouki, oud, bodhran, bongos, djembe, clarinet, tin whistle
Years active1991–present
LabelsEnter into Peace (1995–present), Sound Vision (1996–2003), Beloved Musika (2006–2009)
Websitewww.wharnsby.com

Dawud Wharnsby (born David Howard Wharnsby; June 27, 1972) is a Canadian Universalist[2][3][4] Muslim[5][6][7][8] singer-songwriter, poet, performer, educator and television personality. A multi-instrumentalist, he is best known for his work in the musical/poetic genre of English Language nasheed and spoken word.[5][6]

Early artistic career

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Born in Kitchener, Ontario in 1972, David Wharnsby became active in local theatrical productions during his early teens, first performing on a world-class theater stage at the age of 18 in a production of "Jesus Christ Superstar" (Annas).[9] Other stage work of his late teens included roles in "You're A Good Man Charlie Brown" (Schroeder)[10] and "Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead".[citation needed]

At the age of 19, Wharnsby began performing throughout Southern Ontario as a solo musical artist and as a member of various musical groups. His first professional work as a musician was with folk quartet Crakenthorpe's Teapot,[7] hired to perform on street corners of their hometown.[11][12] Wharnsby travelled extensively throughout Ontario, England and Scotland during 1993 and 1994 as a solo busker – singing informally on street corners and in parks to market and share his music. In 1993, he started his own independent recording entity, Three Keyed Maple Seeds, which in 1996 was renamed Enter into Peace and registered with SOCAN as a music publishing entity.[7]

During the early 1990s, Wharnsby worked as a professional actor and puppeteer for two different educational theater troupes, touring public schools and folk festivals throughout Ontario. At the age of 20, he played lead in a short educational film "To Catch A Thief", distributed nationally in Canada to schools as part of the John Howard Society's anti-shoplifting program.[13]

Music

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In 1993, Dawud (David) Wharnsby and fellow Crackenthorpe's Teapot vocalist Heather Chappell began touring and performing as a duo, releasing an independent album (Off To Reap The Corn) containing renditions of traditional Canadian and Irish folk music. The recording also featured Wharnsby's original lyrical adaptation of the traditional song "The Black Velvet Band". His comical version "The Black Velvet Band as Never Before" is still sung in folk music circles.[14]

Dawud has released several internationally distributed albums since 1995, including Blue Walls and the Big Sky,[15] Vacuous Waxing (with Canadian writer Bill Kocher), A Different Drum (with The Fletcher Valve Drummers) and Out Seeing The Fields. In the mid-1990s, Dawud began to work in the genre of English language nasheed (spiritual hymns of a folk/world-beat style, drawn from Qur'anic tradition). He has released over 10 popular albums of spiritual nasheed since 1993, including A Whisper of Peace, Colours of Islam, Road to Madinah and Sunshine Dust and the Messenger, all released through US based media company Sound Vision.Com.[5]

September 3, 2007 Dawud released "Out Seeing the Fields" composed of 12 tracks, co-produced with LA based pianist Idris Phillips.[16] The 11th track of the album named "Rachel" is a tribute to Rachel Corrie who was killed by an Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Caterpillar D9R armoured bulldozer, during an ISM protest against the destruction of Palestinian homes by the IDF in the Gaza Strip.[17]

During his career Dawud has collaborated with Stephen Fearing,[18] Irshad Khan,[18] Danny Thompson,[18] Yusuf Islam (aka Cat Stevens),[19][20] Zain Bhikha,[20] Idris Phillips,[19][20] Hadiqa Kiani and Atif Aslam.[7]

Television, video and radio production

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As a television personality, Dawud has hosted programs produced in conjunction with Canada's Vision TV, the National Film Board of Canada,[21] Al Huda TV (Saudi Arabia), Deen TV, Muslim Network Television and BBC Scotland.

Educational efforts

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In honour of author, screenwriter and lecturer Rod Serling, Wharnsby (inspired as a child by Serlings' work) is also a supporter of the Rod Serling Memorial Foundation and contributor to The Foundation's scholarship fund.[22]

Dawud Wharnsby served as an Ambassador of Scouting for the UK Scout Association from June 2010[23] until 2015.

Personal life

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In 1993, David Howard Wharnsby embraced the teachings of the Qur'an[5][6][7][8] changing his name to "Dawud" (Arabic: داوود) – the Arabic form of "David" – and added the name "Ali" (Arabic: علي) to his surname. The name "Ali" was dropped from professional use in 2003, but remains a part of his legal name. Wharnsby has identified himself as a Muslim since 1993 and also adheres to the principles of Unitarian Universalism.[2][3][4]

Married in 2003, Dawud Wharnsby, his wife and their two children have resided in the state of Colorado, United States, Abbottabad, Pakistan and in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada.[24][25][26] Wharnsby and his family have resided in Nashville, Tennessee since July of 2022.

Though family ties do exist, Dawud Wharnsby is not to be confused with film editor David Wharnsby, also a native of the Kitchener-Waterloo area.[27]

In the media

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Dawud Wharnsby was named in a November 21, 2008 article by The Sun, as being a primary influence in an alleged conversion to the religion of Islam by pop star Michael Jackson. The article stated that Wharnsby and fellow musician Idris Phillips were "pals" of Michael Jackson and had talked to him "about their beliefs, and how they thought they had become better people after they converted.". The article was subsequently run by major print and television media worldwide.[28][29][30]

Following the death of Michael Jackson on June 25, 2009, the original Sun article resurfaced, intensifying rumours surrounding Jackson's religious affiliation and his alleged "conversion" to the religion of Islam through the counsel of Dawud Wharnsby and Idris Phillips. A June 26, 2009 public statement by Wharnsby, initially presented on his official website[31] stated:

"For the record: Though our professional circles did cross-over slightly... I never had the honour or pleasure of meeting Michael Jackson personally, nor did we ever correspond on matters of our professions, personal lives or faiths."

On the topic of conversion, Wharnsby also stated:

"My approach to faith does not include concepts of "conversion/reversion" or "propagation", so the very idea that I would have even tried to "convert" Mr. Jackson (or anyone else for that matter) to my spiritual perspective, is silly."

In November 2009 Dawud Wharnsby's name was included in the category of "Entertainment and The Arts" on a list of the 500 Most Influential Muslims, compiled by The Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Centre (Jordan),[32] and published with support of Georgetown University's Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding.[33] Wharnsby has also been included on all follow-up lists published annually until the present date.[34]

Discography

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Solo work

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Year Album
1995 Blue Walls and the Big Sky
1996 A Whisper of Peace
1997 Colours of Islam
1998 Road to Madinah
2002 Sunshine, Dust and The Messenger
2003 The Prophet's Hands
2005 Vacuous Waxing
2006 The Poets and The Prophet
2007 Out Seeing The Fields
2011 A Picnic of Poems
2014 Acoustic Simplicitea
2017 A Whisper of Peace/Colours of Islam Anniversary Remaster

CD singles and EP releases

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Year Album
1999 The Letter – Songs of Struggle and Hope
2004 Love Strong
2010 Shady Grove
2010 Twinkle, Twinkle
2010 Welcome to The I.C.E. (Percussion only version)

Selected collaborations

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Year Album
1993 Off to Reap the Corn (with Heather Chappell)
1994 Fine Flowers in The Valley (with Heather Chappell)
2001 Light Upon Light (Various Artists)
2001 Faith (with Zain Bhikha)
2001 Bismillah (with Yusuf Islam and Friends)
2002 In Praise of The Last Prophet (with Yusuf Islam and Friends)
2003 Salaam (with Irfan Makki)
2004 Days of Eid (Various Artists)
2005 Expressions of Faith (Various Artists)
2005 Celebrate! Holidays of The Global Village (with Chris McKhool)
2005 I Look I See (with Yusuf Islam)
2006 Allah Knows (with Zain Bhikha)
2007 Man Ana? (with Khalid Belrhouzi)
2008 Aled Jones Presents: Good Morning Sunday (Various Artists)
2010 Pages of Hope (with Lines of Faith)
2011 Hope (with Zain Bhikha)
2011 Kalima (with Hadiqa Kiyani)
2014 Songs of A Soul (with Zain Bhikha)
2014 Longing (with Kailashi)
2014 Allah Is on My Side (with Malik Naim)
2015 The Passing Traveller (with Zain Bhikha)
2018 Abraham Jam - Live (with Abraham Jam)
2018 Prophetic Praise (Various Artists)
2019 All About Me (with Raef (singer))
2019 White Moon (with Abraham Jam)

Narrative work

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Year Album
2000 Gifts of Muhammad (introduced by Dawud Wharnsby)
2000 40 Hadith (introduced by Dawud Wharnsby)
2001 Timeless Wisdom Volume 1
2001 Timeless Wisdom Volume 2
2001 A Simple Guide to Prayer (with Yusuf Islam)
2004 Companions of The Prophet

Music videos

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Year Title
2006 You Can't Take It With You (With Zain Bhikha)
2006 Allah Knows (with Zain Bhikha)
2006 Midnight
2011 Out Seeing The Fields
2013 All Of Us

Published work

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  • Nasheed Artist (Books 4 Schools, UK, 2005, ISBN 0-9543652-6-7) (author/co-illustrator)
  • For Whom The Troubadour Sings (Kube Publishing Ltd, UK, 2009, ISBN 978-1-84774-011-3) (author)
  • A Picnic of Poems in Allah's Green Garden (Kube Publishing Ltd, UK, 2011, ISBN 978-0-86037-444-2) (author)
  • Colours of Islam (Kube Publishing Ltd, UK, 2013, ISBN 978-0-86037-591-3) (author)
  • A Whisper of Peace (Kube Publishing Ltd, UK, 2014, ISBN 978-0-86037-534-0) (author)

Television and video appearances

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  • Muslim Network Television (2022 - Present) (Script Editor, Audio Producer, Segment Host)
  • Come In On The Bridge (Deen TV, 2013/2014) (Host)
  • As Salamu Alaikum! (Sound Vision, 2005) (Soundtrack and actor/puppeteer)
  • A New Life in a New Land (Milo Productions/University of Saskatoon/NFB, 2004) (Soundtrack and host)[35]
  • BBC Schools – Watch Celebrations: Ramadan And Eid (BBC Scotland, 2003) (Host)
  • Sing, Children of The World (Sound Vision, 2002) (Host)
  • Stories Behind The Songs (Sound Vision, 2002) (Host)
  • Rhythm of Islam (Sound Vision, 2002) (Host)
  • Alif Is For Allah (Sound Vision, 2000) (Soundtrack and actor/puppeteer)
  • The Humble Muslim (Sound Vision, 1999) (Soundtrack and actor/puppeteer)
  • Ramadan Mubarak (Sound Vision, 1998) (Soundtrack and actor/puppeteer)
  • To Catch A Thief (John Howard Society of Canada, 1990) (Actor)

References

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  1. ^ FAQ About Dawud Wharnsby Archived March 4, 2010, at the Wayback Machine, retrieved February 24, 2010
  2. ^ a b "About Dawud Wharnsby". Enter Into Peace. 2016. Archived from the original on May 6, 2016. Retrieved April 30, 2016.
  3. ^ a b "The Colours of Dawud Wharnsby". Evolve Magazine. February 2016. Archived from the original on May 6, 2016. Retrieved April 30, 2016.
  4. ^ a b "Global Citizen". Scouts UK Magazine. June–July 2010.
  5. ^ a b c d "Singer Finds Loving Audience". Dallas Morning News. September 13, 2000.
  6. ^ a b c "About The Authour", Singer Finds Loving Audience, Dallas Morning News, 2000
  7. ^ a b c d e "Musings of a Nomad Artist". Dawn News. August 23, 2009. Archived from the original on February 25, 2012.
  8. ^ a b Hesham A. Hassaballa, ed. (2006). "The Sounds of Taqwa". Illume Magazine. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  9. ^ "Jesus Christ Superstar". May 18, 1990.
  10. ^ "You're A Good Man Charlie Brown". August 15, 1990.
  11. ^ "Sidewalk Stage ~ Sanctioned entertainers play to King Street shoppers". Kitchener-Waterloo Record. June 6, 1992. Archived from the original on April 26, 2012.
  12. ^ "One on One With Dawud Wharnsby". Hijabtrendz. August 4, 2010.
  13. ^ "To Catch A Thief NEWS PROMO 1992". Province Wide CKCO TV News. 1992.[dead YouTube link]
  14. ^ "The Black Velvet Band (Like Never Before)". The Mudcat Cafe – Black Velvet Band lyrics (variations). September 2, 2003. Archived from the original on December 13, 2007.
  15. ^ "Blue Walls and The Big Sky". Dallas Morning News. October 30, 2004. Archived from the original on March 28, 2006.
  16. ^ "about". Archived from the original on January 30, 2009.
  17. ^ Israeli Army Bulldozer Kills American Protesting in Gaza New York Times, March 17, 2003
  18. ^ a b c "Faces of Waterloo", Dawud Wharnsby-Ali: Words and Music Lived in the name of God, Waterloo Chronicle, May 2003
  19. ^ a b The Triangle Philosophy, Egypt Today Magazine, January 2008
  20. ^ a b c "Acknowledgments", For Whom The Troubadour Sings, Kube Publishing Ltd, 2009
  21. ^ "A New Life in a New Land: The Muslim Experience in Canada". Milo Productions. 2005.
  22. ^ "Donor Hall of Fame". rodserling.com. 2008. Archived from the original on October 6, 2009. Retrieved September 8, 2009.
  23. ^ Hilary Galloway, ed. (June 2010). "Global Citizen". Scouting Magazine. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  24. ^ "About The Author", For Whom The Troubadour Sings, Kube Publishing Ltd, 2009
  25. ^ "About The Author", A Picnic of Poems in Allah's Green Garden, Kube Publishing Ltd, 2011
  26. ^ "About The Author", Colours of Islam, Kube Publishing Ltd, 2013
  27. ^ "Would The Real David Wharnsby Please Stand Up?". The Record. September 11, 2006. Archived from the original on February 2, 2007.
  28. ^ "Did Michael Mikaeel Jackson Convert to Islam". The Insider. November 21, 2008. Archived from the original on January 10, 2010.
  29. ^ Tibbetts, Graham (November 21, 2008). "Michael Jackson 'converts to Islam and changes name to Mikaeel'". Telegraph. London. Archived from the original on December 2, 2008. Retrieved May 1, 2010.
  30. ^ "Michael Jackson se converte ao islamismo e muda seu nome para Mikaeel, diz jornal". O Globo. November 21, 2008.
  31. ^ "The Passing of Michael Jackson". Enter into Peace. June 26, 2009. Archived from the original on December 21, 2009.
  32. ^ "The 500 Most Influential Muslims". The Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Centre. November 2009. Archived from the original on August 18, 2013.
  33. ^ "Muslim 500 – A Listing of the 500 Most Influential Muslims in the World". Muslim Media Network. November 17, 2009. Archived from the original on October 2, 2011.
  34. ^ "Muslim 500 – A Listing of the 500 Most Influential Muslims in the World". The Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Centre. October 2024.
  35. ^ "Dawud Wharnsby-Ali". Milo Productions. 2005.
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