Ken is a diverse percussionist who specializes in the hand drumming traditions of the Middle East and India. He is based in Canada, but his musical passions have taken him to many parts of the globe.
In addition to drumming, Ken is also an avid player and teacher of Indonesian gamelan music. His OMBAK Gamelan Ensemble (the first professional gamelan group in Atlantic Canada) performs traditional and contemporary music for gamelan degung.
In recent years, Ken has been a featured performer (as both bandleader and accompanist) at the Halifax Jazz Festival, Sound Symposium, Prismatic Festival, Lunenburg Folk Harbour Festival, Sunfest, Mosaiq Festival, Deep Roots Music Festival, and on national broadcasts for CBC Radio 2.
Some of Ken’s current projects include developing a series of online rhythm and drumming courses, teaching Gamelan and World Music courses at Acadia University, touring and recording with songwriter Sahara Jane, producing music videos and recordings for Triangle House Studios, performing and producing electronic music under the name zhorli, as well as composing music for his own amusement, for his hand-drumming group, KST, and for other interested musicians or filmmakers who ask him to.
Ken is a proud endorser of Cooperman Frame Drums.
BBFD (Beyond the Basics Frame Drum) Online Course
Ken’s latest online course offering is online and available for registration! The BBFD (Beyond the Basics Frame Drum) course is a comprehensive, intermediate-advanced level course which is designed to bring your frame drumming to the next level.
Visit https://kenshorley.podia.com for more info!
New zhorli EP – Wine Saves Sine Waves. Stream it now on your favourite platform.
I’m really excited to share this new collection of chill electronic sounds. Wine Saves Sine Waves is by far the best thing I’ve produced in the electronic sound world.