Kiefer Sutherland
This piece was originally published on JAZZ.FM91.
The star of ‘24’ and the recent film ‘Forsaken’ speaks to Senior Arts Editor Mark Wigmore about his life in music, his upcoming show at the Horseshoe Tavern as part of the TD Toronto Jazz Festival, and how his time on the music stage has changed his approach to acting.
It would be fair to categorize Kiefer Sutherland as Canadian acting royalty. The former Torontonian can lay claim to generation defining film roles in the 1980s and 90s, and not unlike his father, plenty of risk taking as well. The Sutherland prowess was put on full display in 2015 when both Kiefer and Donald Sutherland starred in the new western drama, ‘Forsaken’.
Kiefer Sutherland struck pay dirt again in the 2000s as the star of the long running Fox counter terrorism drama, ‘24’. Jack Bauer would become a household name.
Film, television and the theatre stage have been good to Sutherland, but behind the scenes he has built a life in the music world as well. 15 years ago he started the music label ‘Ironworks’, which was the perfect platform to help bolster support for the artists he loved. His affinity for the singer songwriter came into focus thanks to the label’s roster, but while he supported others, Kiefer was also quietly penning his own dairies full of lyrics and melodies. In 2014 Sutherland decided he would be the one to record and perform them.
The result is a gritty, booze-soaked set of Americana-tinged rockers and ballads that may be the first real bypass through Kiefer the actor into Kiefer the person. His heartbreaks, struggles and relationships are a set of cards he has kept close to the chest over his career. But this latest foray into singer songwriter has forced him to take at least some of his secrets to the stage, and that vulnerable position has even informed how he is approaching his roles in film in television. Not long ago, Kiefer put together a band, started touring, and 100 shows later he is returning to his childhood home of Toronto to offer up his gritty mix of country blues and rock.
He spoke to Senior Arts Editor Mark Wigmore from the set of his new ABC drama, “Designated Survivor.”
Kiefer Sutherland’s forthcoming record is “Down In A Hole” and he performs at the TD Toronto Jazz Fest at The Horseshoe Tavern on Monday June 27th. More on at here and torontojazz.com.
Senior Arts Editor Mark Wigmore is heard at 8:40 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. on weekdays during the JAZZ.FM91 Arts Report. And don’t miss his arts and culture interview and entertainment magazine program, Arts Toronto, Sundays between 8-9 a.m.
To get in touch with Mark it’s mwigmore@jazz.fm.