Kitt Wakeley

Kitt Wakeley
Wakeley performing at Carnegie Hall in 2022
Born
Memphis, Tennessee, U.S.
Other namesAudioKaoz
Occupations
  • Composer
  • songwriter
  • musician
  • music producer
Years active1987–present
AwardsGrammy
Musical career
Genres
Instruments
  • Keyboards
  • guitar
  • bass
  • trumpet
Websitekittwakeley.com

Kitt Wakeley is an American Grammy Award-winning composer, songwriter, musician, and music producer.[1] His album Symphony of Sinners & Saints (featuring Joe Satriani) peaked at #1 on Billboard's Classical Crossover and Classical charts, and at #18 on Hot Hard Rock Songs.[2] Singles "Conflicted", "Forgive Me", and "Sinners and Saints" all peaked at #1 on Billboard's Hard Rock Digital Song Sales as well as charting on the Top-10 Hot Hard Rock Songs chart.[3][4] He has released four studio albums that feature Nuno Bettencourt, Nita Strauss, Kenny Aronoff, Andy Timmons, the London Philharmonic Orchestra, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, and London Voices.[5][6][3][7]

In 2023, Wakeley's An Adoption Story won a Grammy Award for Best Classical Compendium.[8]

In 2024, Wakeley produced, Impossible Dream for Aaron Lazar which includes duets with artists such as Josh Groban, Neil Patrick Harris, Leslie Odom Jr, and Loren Allred as well as Sting performing on the title track. The album charted at #2 on Billboard's Classical Crossover Album chart and was nominated for a Grammy Award in November, 2024.[9][10][11] Wakeley was also nominated for a Grammy Award for "Mythologies II" for "Best Classical Compendium" in 2024.[12]

  1. ^ "Kitt Wakeley". Grammy.com.
  2. ^ "Kitt Wakeley's "Conflicted" featuring Joe Satriani Debuts at No. 1 on Billboard's Hard Rock Digital Song Sales, No. 6 on Rock Digital Song Sales, and No. 18 on Hot Hard Rock Songs, page 80". Rock and Blues International. April 1, 2021. Retrieved August 6, 2022.
  3. ^ a b "Kitt Wakeley: A Teen Rocker to Breakout Composer". Top-40 Charts. May 17, 2021. Retrieved May 6, 2022.
  4. ^ McDonnell, Brandy. "Oklahoman Kitt Wakeley topping charts with new album 'Symphony of Sinners and Saints'". The Oklahoman.
  5. ^ "KITT WAKELEY THE JOURNEY TO ATTAINING THE GOLD STANDARD IN THE MUSICAL INDUSTRY". Flaunt. April 5, 2022. Retrieved May 6, 2022.
  6. ^ "Kitt Wakeley: A Teen Rocker to Breakout Composer". Singers Room. September 24, 2021. Retrieved May 6, 2022.
  7. ^ "Oklahoma Musician Lands Spot in Indie Music Hall of Fame by Annabella Potts". 405 Magazine. August 19, 2021. Retrieved May 6, 2022.
  8. ^ "2023 Grammy Grammys Complete Winners List". LA Times. February 5, 2023. Retrieved February 5, 2023.
  9. ^ "Aaron Lazar Unites Sting, Kristin Chenoweth, Josh Groban and 75+ Broadway Stars for 'Impossible Dream' Video by David Quinn". People. August 22, 2024. Retrieved September 23, 2024.
  10. ^ "Aaron Lazar Collaboration Album Impossible Dream Released August 23 by Margaret Hall". Playbill. August 23, 2024. Retrieved September 23, 2024.
  11. ^ "Billboard Classical Crossover Album Chart". Billboard. September 7, 2024. Retrieved September 23, 2024.
  12. ^ Cite error: The named reference Grammys was invoked but never defined (see the help page).