Quick Facts
Biography
Solon McDade (born March 1974 in Edmonton, Alberta) is a Canadian musician and composer.
Career
He began playing the cello at age four. By the time he was nine, he was playing double bass, washtub bass, and violin in the McDade Family Band. In his teens he performed at various Canadian folk festivals, the Commonwealth Games, and for the British royal family. He attended MacEwan University and studied jazz at McGill University where he received his Master's Degree in 2017. While a student, he toured with Bill Bourne, Maria Dunn, and his sister Shannon Johnson. He has received nominations by the Juno Awards and Aria Awards. He has worked with Luther Johnson, Billy Boy Arnold, Wildchild Butler, Michael Coleman, Susie Arioli and Jordan Officer.
He formed the McDades in 2000 with his sister Shannon Johnson and his brother, Jeremiah McDade. Their album Bloom (2007) was given the Juno Award for best roots/traditional album by a group. It also won an Independent Music Award and two Canadian Folk Music Awards. In 2018 he released his debut album "Murals".
Discography
As Leader
- Murals
With The McDades
- Bloom
- For Reel
With Terry McDade
- Harpe Danse
- Midwinter
- Noel
With Maria Dunn
- For a Song
- We Were Good People
- From Where I Stand
- The Peddler
- Gathering
With others
- Susie Arioli, Pennies from Heaven featuring Ralph Sutton
- Bill Bourne, Farmer, Philanthropist and Musician
- Bourne & Johnson, Victory Train
- Bob Jahrig, Treetops
- Jon McCaslin, McCallum's Island
- David Wilkie with The McDades, Cowboy Celtic