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We acknowledge the support of the Canada Council for the Arts.
Nous remercions le Conseil des arts du Canada de son soutien.
Internationally touring, award-winning artist Tennyson King is a nomadic folk troubadour whose magnetic stage presence and cross-cultural sound captivate audiences worldwide.
Born in Hong Kong and based in Canada, he seamlessly weaves English, Mandarin, and Cantonese lyrics with kick drum, guitar, and traditional Chinese instruments like the Zhongruan, creating a vibrant blend of indie folk, roots, and subtle psychedelic textures.
Tennyson King has fast become one of Bendigo Blues & Roots Music Festival’s favorite international acts. Whether playing solo or with a band, he’s consistently warmed hearts and made fans of our local and visiting audiences.
His live performance beautifully bridged two worlds, crossing oceans to blend the rich traditions of his Chinese heritage with the vibrant spirit of his Canadian upbringing, creating a truly special experience that resonates across cultures. Genuine honesty in his songwriting and humble emotion in his playing shine through every moment on stage. Through this heartfelt connection, he expertly fuses traditional sounds with modern styles, crafting a fresh yet deeply rooted musical experience.
It was an absolute pleasure to have Tennyson perform at Mission Folk. His music was a balm to a hard world, and his words provided a necessary perspective that absolutely resonated with our audience and community.
Tennyson King is an award-winning, internationally touring folk artist whose music bridges cultures, languages, and continents. Born in Hong Kong and based in Canada, he has built a global career as a nomadic songwriter, sharing stories of travel, identity, and connection through songs in English, Mandarin, and Cantonese.
Known for his charismatic stage presence and magnetic energy, Tennyson captivates audiences with interactive moments, playful storytelling, and an uplifting spirit. Performing with acoustic and electric guitar, kick drum, and traditional Chinese instruments such as the Zhongruan, he creates a distinctive sound that blends indie folk, earthy roots, pop sensibilities, and subtle psychedelic textures. Whether appearing solo in intimate theatres or bringing his full band to festival stages, his shows are immersive, restorative, and deeply engaging.
Tennyson’s international reach is remarkable. He has toured extensively across Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom, Taiwan, Japan, Mainland China, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, Brazil, and the Netherlands. Festival appearances include Glastonbury Festival, Vancouver Island MusicFest, Beaches Jazz Festival, Bendigo Blues & Roots Festival, and industry showcases at Folk Alliance International and Folk Music Ontario.
His album Good Company, produced by Juno Award nominee Ross Hayes Citrullo, reflects his experiences with solo travel, nature, relationships, and embracing the present moment. The album received national and international support from CBC Radio, SiriusXM, Stingray Music, OMNI TV (Mandarin & Cantonese), The RepresentASIAN Project, Exclaim!, SOCAN Song of the Week, and radio stations across Canada, Hong Kong, and Australia.
In 2021, Tennyson released his first Chinese-language singles — “漂走 (Piao Zou),” “⾃自在 (Zi Zai),” and “⽣生命的进度 (Shen Ming De Jin Du)” — in celebration of Asian Heritage Month, and performed at Joy Ruckus Club 4, the world’s largest Asian music festival. Through his multilingual songwriting and incorporation of traditional Chinese instrumentation, he proudly represents his community and aims to inspire the next generation of Asian musicians.
His artistry has earned significant recognition. He was nominated for Performing Artist of the Year at the 2025 Ontario Folk Music Awards, named Vocalist of the Year at the 2023 MARTYs, awarded Songwriter of the Year at the 2022 Mississauga Music Awards, and nominated for New/Emerging Artist of the Year at the 2023 Canadian Folk Music Awards. He has shared stages with acclaimed artists including Aysanabee, Lindi Ortega, Basia Bulat, Whitehorse, and Sloan, building a reputation for forging intimate connections with audiences wherever he travels.
In 2024, he released collaborative singles with Lindi Ortega, Skye Wallace, and Kim Yang, while touring Taiwan, Japan, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia. In 2025, he showcased at Folk Music Ontario and Folk Alliance International, returned to Glastonbury Festival, toured the UK, completed a month-long headline and support tour in Taiwan alongside Aysanabee, and co-headlined a Western Canadian tour with Lindi Ortega.
Looking ahead, Tennyson is preparing to release a new album in fall 2026 that further deepens his cross-cultural sound — a bold fusion of Western indie folk and traditional Chinese music, featuring acclaimed musicians from Toronto, Vancouver, and Taiwan. As his global audience continues to grow, Tennyson King remains dedicated to building bridges through music — connecting languages, cultures, and communities with warmth, authenticity, and joy.
AWARDS & ACCOLADES
- Nominee, 2025 Performing Artist of the Year | Ontario Folk Music Awards
- Nominee, 2023 New/Emerging Artist of the Year | Canadian Folk Music Awards
- Winner, 2023 Vocalist of the Year | MARTYs
- Winner, 2022 Songwriter of the Year | Mississauga Music Awards
Responsible Agent
NICOLE ROCHEFORT