Khari Wendell McClelland

Khari Wendell McClelland is bending the edges of folk, electronic and soul to create a sound all his own.

Reared on gospel, hip hop, folk and soul in Hitsville, USA, the home of Motown Records, Khari began his musical education early. Every Sunday provided lessons in the roots of African American music and cultural expression, through the wafting sounds of Gospel from street corner churches and local radio programs, like that of Aretha’s father CL Franklin. Every other day, the sounds of hip hop and contemporary R&B blared from car speakers and boom boxes.

Khari made the move from Detroit a decade ago and is currently based in Vancouver, Canada. There, he cut his teeth with some of the best. Having toured and recorded internationally for several years with the Award-winning band, The Sojourners, now is the perfect time for KWM’s solo debut. Khari has worked extensively with the likes of Frazey Ford (of the Be Good Tanyas), Steve Dawson and Cosmo Sheldrake (London). Khari also had a singing role in a television movie starring Toni Braxton (Twist of Faith, on the Lifetime Network) and sang backing vocals for Michael Buble on his NBC Christmas Special.

When hearing his sound one is reminded of Bill Withers and contemporary artists such a Tobias Jesso Jr. and Lianne La Havas – the richness of traditional forms interwoven with elements of contemporary urban grit and whispers of melancholy.