Alex Radeff and Donkey

 Alex Radeff is a Toronto based singer/songwriter/guitarist who is best known for fronting the eclectic, original project Donkey, which has been a consistent fixture live and in the studio in Toronto since the mid 90’s. Pop, rock, jazz and blues influenced, each song is distinct from what follows or precedes it and often involves improvisation.
The project first gathered public and critical praise with independent releases in the mid 90’s and has released 5 full length albums of original material to date. Notable media figures such as Gary Topp, Al Joynes, Andrei Talbot, Lenny Stoute, Gino Empry and Moses Znaimer have all at various times supported the group’s musical and artistic direction.

Live
 Building a loyal following as a trio in Toronto’s live music scene, Radeff & Donkey have maintained a consistent stream of showcase dates in established Toronto venues such as The Horseshoe, The Rivoli, El Mocambo, Lee’s Palace, and the Opera House among others.
The trio performs a musically engaging combination of Radeff’s time tested originals and covers by Tom Petty, The Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd, David Bowie, John Lennon, Bob Dylan and hits from blues and pop standards to avant garde improvisational psychedelia.  The ratio of original to cover material is dependent on the audience and/or event.

                                                   
The band performed two successful nights at the original, historic Hard Rock Cafe courtesy of Gino Empry. The release of “Nodding At The Universe” CD kept the band gigging for over 120 one night stands till the end of 2009. The band did 11 consecutive Saturdays at Hoop’s at Yonge & College and at Lula Lounge as a solo opening slot for British rock legend Arthur Brown who praised Radeff’s lyrics.  In 2000 Radeff began, what was to be a ten year run of monthly solo shows Our Place on Yonge Street which was busy shelter for the marginalized in the downtown Toronto core. He played until the shelter closed in 2010. In 2017 Alex Radeff & Donkey were acknowledged as “one of Toronto’s most eclectic bands” by Gary Topp and were honored to share the stage at The Rivoli with legendary Toronto first wave original music pioneers Johnny & The G-Rays.
The Queen’s Legs, Eastcoaster’s, Dora Keogh, Vapor Central and Performance Arts Lodge have all been regular repeat engagements in recent times.  Since March 2022 the band has played over 60 one night stands in Toronto and several festivals including the Taste Of Regent Park and Cabbagetown Festivals, as well as a residency of 14 Saturdays at Frisaca at Queen/Bathurst and performances in Southern Ontario including Barrie, Trenton, Belleville, Madoc and Campbellford. 

                               Alex Radeff: vocals/guitar     Eddie K: drums     Joe Ramirez: bass

Discography


What Happened In The Night…
(2022)

Furthermore…
(2017)
.

The Calling Of The Streets
(2009)

Nodding At The Universe
(2003)

Kickback
(1999)

The College Music reviewed Radeff as a “something of a guitar genius” and Donkey as a band that is “all about music, not about attitude”.  The release of the debut CD “Kickback” in 1999 featured the rocking anthem “Wartime”, a hit in Romania where it lodged in the Top 20 for 14 weeks. “Nodding At The Universe” was released in 2003. The album which at that time served as the project’s only official demo kept the band gigging as a trio for over 120 one night stands until 2009. “The Calling Of The Streets” full length CD was released in 2009 to enthusiastic reviews and was based mostly on street life experiences and a long residency at the Grasshopper Bar at Carlton & Parliament and the neighbourhood was wild. In 2017 Alex Radeff & Donkey released “Furthermore” a diverse 10 song album signalling production advances that received positive reviews and considerable airplay and support in Ireland and western Europe. In 2020 two well received collaborations with writer Lenny Stoute were released as online singles. “Outside Of Hope” captured the mood of the pandemic and “We’re Coming For You” addressed corruption and fascism.
In mid 2021 Alex Radeff released the YouTube video single “Cry,Cry Baby” which has quickly become the most popular release to date. In the spring of 2022, Alex Radeff & Donkey release a new album of 9 original songs titled “What Happened In The Night…” Several new songs have been in collaboration and show the project evolving creatively and breaking new ground.

CDs are shipped by mail. The cost including shipping is as follows:
Canadian residents $12.00 CAD, US residents $12.00 USD  International residents $14.00 USD

e-transfers: alexradeff@pathcom.com
1395 Lawrence Ave West, Box 20033, Toronto, ON, M6L 1A7 Canada (437) 247-0078

Live Schedule:

Fri, Aug 2, 2024 (9:00 PM)
The Salty Dawg - Donkey
9732 Highway 27, Woodbridge, ON

Fri, Aug 9, 2024 (9:00 PM)
The British Arms Pub - Donkey
29 Dunlop Street, Barrie, ON

Tue, Aug 20, 2024 (8:00 pm)
Linsmore Tavern - Donkey
1298 Danforth Ave, Toronto, ON

Wed, Sep 4, 2024 (5:00 pm)
Taste of Regent Park Festival - Donkey
Regent Park, Toronto ON

Sat, Sep 7, 2024 (3:00 pm)
Cabbagetown Festival - Donkey
Parliament Str, Toronto, ON

Thu, Sep 12, 2024 (8:00 pm)
Lola - Alex Radeff (solo)
40 Kensington Ave, Toronto, ON

Sat, Oct 5, 2024 (5:00 pm)
Private Event - Donkey
Trenton, ON

for full live schedule click here

Donkey – Cry, Cry Baby

Donkey – Gimme Shelter Cover

Donkey – Bittersweet Symphony Cover

Donkey – Ma Chere Dame

Donkey – Tent City Improv

Contact:

by email: donkey@donkey.ca

by phone: (437) 247-0078

on Facebook: www.facebook.com/alexradeff