Kitt Wakeley

Last updated
Kitt Wakeley
Kitt Wakeley - Carnegie 1.jpg
Wakeley performing at Carnegie Hall in 2022
Born
Memphis, Tennessee, U.S.
Other namesAudioKaoz
Occupations
  • Composer
  • songwriter
  • musician
  • music producer
Years active1987–present
Awards Grammy
Musical career
Genres
Instruments
  • Keyboards
  • guitar
  • bass
  • trumpet
Website kittwakeley.com

Kitt Wakeley is a Grammy award-winning American composer, producer, orchestrator, arranger, and musician. He has worked with artists Aaron Lazar, Josh Groban, Sting, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, and others. [1] His solo album, Symphony of Sinners & Saints (featuring Joe Satriani), charted at #1 on Billboard 's Classical Crossover and Classical charts as well as yielding two #1 singles. [2] [3] [4] In 2023, he won a Grammy Award for "Best Classical Compendium" for An Adoption Story and was nominated in the same category in 2024 for Mythologies II. [5] [6] He produced Aaron Lazar's album Impossible Dream which was also nominated for a Grammy Award for "Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album" that same year as well as charting at #2 on Billboard's Classical Crossover Album chart. [7] [8] In 2025, Wakeley was honored by the ALS Network with an Essey Spotlight Award for his production work on the album. [9]

Contents

Early life and education

Wakeley was born in Memphis, Tennessee and grew up in Holdenville, Oklahoma. He played trumpet in his elementary school band and later began playing the drums, piano, and guitar. [10] During high school Wakeley played in several bands and received scholarship offers from state level music programs but chose to pursue a bachelor's degree in Pre-Law and Sociology and a Masters in Public Administration from East Central University in Ada, Oklahoma, where he was in the Gamma Xi Chapter of Phi Kappa Tau in 1987. [11] [12] [13]

Music career

Wakeley is a composer, songwriter, musician, and music producer whose genres have been classified as rock, hard rock, EDM, and orchestral. His professional career began at age 16 when he was hired to write the intro for one of Oklahoma's top radio DJ's shows. [14] He wrote, produced, and recorded songs for the rock band Mydion. They released one album, Ashes and the Angel. [15]

His first rock and EDM solo album, Cinematic Chaos, was released in 2013 under his pseudonym, AudioKaoz. [14]

His third orchestral rock collection, Midnight in Macedonia (recorded in Skopje, Macedonia), featuring the Macedonian Choir and Macedonian Philharmonic Orchestra, was released in 2015.

Wakeley released his fourth solo studio album, Symphony of Sinners & Saints (featuring Joe Satriani), which was recorded at the Abbey Road Studios in London with the Royal Philharmonic and London Voices. [16] [17] The album peaked at #1 on Billboard 's Classical Crossover and Classical charts, and at #18 on Hot Hard Rock Songs. [18] Singles "Conflicted", "Forgive Me", and "Sinners and Saints" all peaked at #1 on Billboard as well as charting in the Top-10 Hot Hard Rock Songs chart. [19] [20] [21] [22] [23]

The album tour included shows at Carnegie Hall, [22] the Civic Center Music Hall in Oklahoma, and South by Southwest. [24]

Throughout his career, Wakeley has received numerous awards for his music. At the 2019 Indie Music Awards he won awards in eight categories, including, Best New Male Artist of the Year, Best Special Live Performance, Best Instrumental Producer, Artist of The Year, and Best Instrumental Songwriter. He won, Song of the Year at the Hollywood Music in Media Awards and two Josie Music Awards in 2020 for, Songwriter of the Year and Producer of the Year. In 2021 he was inducted into the Indie Music Hall of Fame, along with winning Album of the Year for Symphony of Sinners and Saints. [22] [25]

In 2023, Wakeley's album, An Adoption Story, won a Grammy Award for "Best Classical Compendium". [5] The album was recorded at Abbey Road Studios and features the London Symphony Orchestra, and Wouter Kellerman. [26] [27]

Wakeley was nominated for a Grammy Award for Mythologies II for "Best Classical Compendium" in 2024, as well as producing Aaron Lazar's album Impossible Dream which was nominated for "Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album" that same year. He was honored by the ALS Network with an Essey Spotlight Award for his production work on Impossible Dream in 2025 and was included in Spin magazine's "10 Rising Artists to Watch". [28] [1] [29] [30] [9]

Solo discography

Discography

YearAlbumArtistCredit
2022Never Get Away Justine Blazer Artist [33]
Gimme Love (Dance Remix) Matt B featuring Eddy Kenzo Producer, arranger, composer [34]
2023A Love Song Noshir Mody Producer[ citation needed ]
A New Chapter Vahagn Stepanyan Producer [35]
Alkebulan Matt B Producer [36]
Lolo, Montana Chuck Leah Producer [37]
2024 Alkebulan II Matt B featuring Royal Philharmonic Orchestra Producer, arranger, composer [38]
Impossible Dream Aaron Lazar Producer, arranger [39]
Echoes of Grace: Choral Music of Patti DrennanSterling Ensemble Los AngelesProducer [40]
Abstractions Noshir Mody Producer [41]
Mythologies II Danaë Xanthe Vlasse Producer [42]

Billboard charts

YearWorkCategory
Billboard US
2021 Symphony of Sinners & Saints (album) [2] Classical Crossover1
Symphony of Sinners & Saints (album) [3] Classical1
Symphony of Sinners & Saints (album) [43] Hard Rock Albums12
Kitt Wakeley [44] 2021 Year-End Classical Crossover Albums Artists10
"Conflicted" (featuring Joe Satriani (single) [4] Hard Rock Digital Sales1
"Conflicted" (featuring Joe Satriani (single) [45] Hot Hard Rock Songs18
"Forgive Me" (featuring Joe Satriani) (single) [46] Hard Rock Digital Sales1
"Sinners and Saints" (single)<ref="Billboard> "Billboard Hard Rock Digital Sales - May 1, 2021". Billboard.com. Retrieved May 10, 2022.</ref>Hard Rock Digital Sales1
2022 An Adoption Story (EP) [47] Classical Crossover1

Awards

YearNominated workCategoryAwardResult
2025 Impossible Dream Production [9] ALS Essey Spotlight AwardWon
2024Mythologies IIBest Classical Compendium [28] Grammy Award Nominated
2024Various WorksBest Production/Producer [48] Josie Music Awards Won
2024Let Your Soul Be Your PilotBest Production/Producer [49] Hollywood Independent Music Awards Nominated
2024Let Your Soul Be Your PilotBest Music Production/Producer [50] Josie Music Award Nominated
2023 An Adoption Story Best Classical Compendium [6] Grammy Award Won
2023Best in Music GenreContemporary Classical [51] Hollywood Independent Music Award Nominated
2023 An Adoption Story EP of the Year (Male) [52] Josie Music Award Won
2023The StormBest Instrumental Song [53] Intercontinental Music AwardWon
2023 Stairway to Heaven Best Rock Song [53] Intercontinental Music AwardWon
2022Live and Recorded SoundOutstanding Musical Ensemble [54] Josie Music Award Won
2021You Gave Me WingsBest Instrumental Song [55] Hollywood Music in Media Award Won
2021 Symphony of Sinners & Saints Album of the Year [56] Josie Music Award Won
2021Indie Music Hall of Fame inductee [57] [58] Indie Music Hall of FameWon
2021Forgive MeInstrumental Song of the Year [59] Hollywood Music in Media Award Won
2021Outstanding Stage Production [60] Josie Music Award Won
2020Musician of the Year [61] Josie Music Award Won
2020You Gave Me Wings Best Instrumental [59] Hollywood Music in Media Award Won
2019End of my JourneyBest Gospel Song [59] Hollywood Music in Media Award Won
2019Midnight in MacedoniaAlbum of the Year [62] ISSA (Independent Singer-Songwriter Awards)Won
2019ClosureBest Instrumental Producer [63] Indie Music Channel AwardsWon
2018ClosureBest Instrumental Producer [63] Indie Music Channel AwardsWon
2019An Evening in GothamBest Instrumental Songwriter [63] Indie Music Channel AwardsWon
2019ClosureBest Male Instrumental Artist [63] Indie Music Channel AwardsWon

Personal life

Wakeley is married to Melissa Wakeley. They share four biological children together, and three adoptive children. [64]

References

  1. 1 2 "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.
  2. 1 2 "Billboard Classical Crossover Chart June 5, 2021". Billboard.com. Retrieved May 10, 2022.
  3. 1 2 "Billboard Classical Chart June 5, 2021". Billboard.com. Retrieved May 10, 2022.
  4. 1 2 "Billboard Hard Rock Digital Sales - March 13, 2021". Billboard.com. Retrieved May 10, 2022.
  5. 1 2 "Kitt Wakeley". Grammy.com.
  6. 1 2 "2023 Grammy Grammys Complete Winners List". LA Times. February 5, 2023. Retrieved February 5, 2023.
  7. ↑ "Grammy - Aaron Lazar". Grammy. Retrieved March 20, 2025.
  8. ↑ "Billboard Classical Crossover Album Chart". Billboard. September 7, 2024. Retrieved September 23, 2024.
  9. 1 2 3 "Honoring the Producers of the Impossible Dream Album". alsnetwork.org. December 6, 2024.
  10. ↑ "Meet Kitt Wakeley". canvasrebel.com. August 22, 2024. Retrieved January 12, 2025.
  11. ↑ Lee, Brxton (2021-10-06). "Kitt Wakeley, Working His Way Up in the Music Industry". AllHipHop. Retrieved 2022-05-05.
  12. ↑ "Order of Phi Member Kitt Wakeley Brings Home a Grammy Award". pktalumniclub.com. February 5, 2023. Retrieved February 11, 2023.
  13. ↑ Lucena, Jorge. "Kitt Wakeley - The Journey to Attaining the Gold Standard in the Musical Industry". flaunt.com. Retrieved January 12, 2025.
  14. 1 2 "Producer/composer Kitt Wakeley Unleashes Epic Orchestral Rock sounds on "Sinners and Saints"". glidemagazine.com. 16 April 2021. Retrieved 2022-05-05.
  15. 1 2 "Mydion - Angels and Ashes". Amazon.com.
  16. ↑ "MULTI-AWARD-WINNING COMPOSER KITT WAKELEY EXCLUSIVELY PREMIERES "CONFLICTED" Feat. JOE SATRIANI". Rock 'N' Load. February 26, 2021.
  17. ↑ Rabinowitz, Chloe. "Kitt Wakeley to Bring SYMPHONY OF SINNERS AND SAINTS To Carnegie Hall in October". BroadwayWorld.com.
  18. ↑ "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.
  19. ↑ "Kitt Wakeley: A Teen Rocker to Breakout Composer". Top-40 Charts. May 17, 2021. Retrieved May 6, 2022.
  20. ↑ McDonnell, Brandy. "Oklahoman Kitt Wakeley topping charts with new album 'Symphony of Sinners and Saints'". The Oklahoman.
  21. ↑ "KITT WAKELEY THE JOURNEY TO ATTAINING THE GOLD STANDARD IN THE MUSICAL INDUSTRY". Flaunt. April 5, 2022. Retrieved May 6, 2022.
  22. 1 2 3 "Oklahoma Musician Lands Spot in Indie Music Hall of Fame by Annabella Potts". 405 Magazine. August 19, 2021. Retrieved May 6, 2022.
  23. ↑ Cristi, A. A. "Composer Kitt Wakeley 'Symphony Of Sinners And Saints,' Out May 21". BroadwayWorld.com.
  24. ↑ "SXSW Schedule 2022". SXSW. Retrieved May 6, 2022.
  25. ↑ "Kitt Wakeley: A Teen Rocker to Breakout Composer". Singers Room. September 24, 2021. Retrieved May 6, 2022.
  26. ↑ "Grammy Nominations 2023: Abbey Road contributions". Abbey Road. November 16, 2022. Retrieved November 28, 2022.
  27. ↑ "5 intriguing Oklahoma Grammy nominations — and one big Sooner State snub by Brandy McDonnell". Oklahoman 3. November 16, 2022. Retrieved May 6, 2022.
  28. 1 2 "2025 GRAMMYs: See The Full Nominations List". Grammys. Retrieved November 8, 2024.
  29. ↑ "Aaron Lazar Collaboration Album Impossible Dream Released August 23 by Margaret Hall". Playbill. August 23, 2024. Retrieved September 23, 2024.
  30. ↑ "10 Rising Artists to Watch". Spin. January 3, 2025. Retrieved January 12, 2025.
  31. ↑ "Kitt Wakeley - Midnight in Macadonia". iheart.com. 16 June 2018.
  32. ↑ McDonnell, Brandy. "Oklahoma composer Kitt Wakeley tops classical charts with new album and more music news". The Oklahoman.
  33. ↑ "Justine Blazer – Girl Singing The Blues Album Review". Blues Blast. April 15, 2023. Retrieved October 18, 2024.
  34. ↑ "Matt B ft. Eddy Kenzo - 'Gimme Love (Dance Remix)". Matt B. October 13, 2022. Retrieved October 18, 2024.
  35. ↑ "The Jazz Project: A New Chapter by Jean-Keith Fagon". Hill Rag. December 27, 2023. Retrieved October 18, 2024.
  36. ↑ "Matt B Alkebulan". Bandcamp. Retrieved October 18, 2024.
  37. ↑ "Lolo, Montana album". Chuck Leah. Retrieved October 18, 2024.
  38. ↑ "FYC: 'ALKEBULAN II' BEST GLOBAL MUSIC ALBUM". Matt B World. Retrieved October 18, 2024.
  39. ↑ "Aaron Lazar Collaboration Album Impossible Dream Released August 23". Playbill. August 23, 2024. Retrieved October 18, 2024.
  40. ↑ "Echoes of Grace: Choral Music of Patti Drennan". Sterling Ensemble Los Angeles. August 8, 2024. Retrieved October 18, 2024.
  41. ↑ "Noshir Mody - Abstractions". Noshir Mody. August 8, 2024. Retrieved October 18, 2024.
  42. ↑ "Mythologies II". Apple Music. July 19, 2024. Retrieved October 18, 2024.
  43. ↑ "US Billboard Charts June 5, 2021". www.databasedreams.co.uk. Retrieved May 10, 2022.
  44. ↑ "2021 Year-End Classical Crossover Albums Artists". Billboard. Retrieved August 6, 2022.
  45. ↑ "Billboard Hot Hard Rock Songs March 13, 2021". Billboard Hot Hard Rock. March 13, 2021. Retrieved November 1, 2023.
  46. ↑ "Billboard Hard Rock Digital Sales - May 29, 2021". Billboard.com. Retrieved May 10, 2022.
  47. ↑ "Billboard Classical Crossover Albums - November 12, 2022". Billboard.com. Retrieved May 10, 2022.
  48. ↑ "2024 Josie Music Award Winners". Tennessean. October 27, 2024. Retrieved October 31, 2024.
  49. ↑ "2024 Nominations and Selections". Hollywood Independent Music Awards. Retrieved June 17, 2024.
  50. ↑ "2024 Tenth Annual Josie Music Awards Official Nominees". Josie Music Awards. Retrieved June 17, 2024.
  51. ↑ "HIMA Winners 2023". Hollywood Independent Music Awards. Retrieved March 29, 2023.
  52. ↑ "Josie Music Awards 2023: See the full list of winners in Nashvillet". The Tennessean. October 24, 2023. Retrieved October 31, 2023.
  53. 1 2 "The InterContinental Music Awards Announces 76 Worldwide Winners and a Promising ICon: Anslom". Intercontinental Music Awards. Retrieved November 4, 2023.
  54. ↑ "2022 Official Winner List". Josie Music Awards. Archived from the original on December 6, 2022. Retrieved November 29, 2022.
  55. ↑ "HMMA Winners". Hollywood Music in Media. Retrieved August 2, 2022.
  56. ↑ "2021 Official Winner List". Josie Music Awards. Retrieved August 2, 2022.
  57. ↑ "Kitt Wakeley Teams with Joe Satriani for New Single". Eon Music UK. November 3, 2021. Retrieved May 6, 2022.
  58. ↑ "Musician Kitt Wakeley as an EDM Legend". Spin. Spin Magazine. Retrieved May 6, 2022.
  59. 1 2 3 "Hollywood Media Music Award Winners". HMM Awards. Retrieved May 6, 2022.
  60. ↑ "Josie Music Awards Official Winners 2021". Josie Music Awards. Retrieved May 6, 2022.
  61. ↑ "Official 2020 Winners Presentations". Josie Music Awards. Retrieved May 6, 2022.
  62. ↑ "SSA Award Winners 2019". ISSA Songwriters. 5 August 2019. Retrieved May 6, 2022.
  63. 1 2 3 4 "Indie Music Channel Instrumental Winners". Indie Music Channel. Retrieved May 6, 2022.
  64. ↑ "Oklahoma siblings separated as young children, find each other after 40 years, living just one mile apart". KFOR. May 18, 2021. Retrieved January 28, 2023.
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