Ethan Askey is creating original roots, rock, and blues music in Canada's Rocky Mountains, and reaching audiences around the world. Having served a long apprenticeship as studio session player and sideman he has launched his exciting new project, Ethan Askey & the Elevators.
 
Known also by the nickname of “Shorty” in his musical circles, Ethan is not short in stature and he is not from the American south, despite being a blues harmonica player of some renown. He is more familiar with the MacKenzie River delta in the Canadian Arctic than with the Mississippi delta. He was practically born with a canoe paddle in one hand, and a harmonica in the other. And no matter whether he’s camped along a northern river or in the depths of the Grand Canyon, or having a hang in the salsa Caribbean or bohemian Czech Republic, he’s rarely without his chosen instruments.  He makes music in unlikely places with friends old and new.  

Since 1994 Ethan has played throughout western Canada; in Memphis and Chicago; and at festivals, theatres and clubs across Europe from the Alps to the Baltic Sea. With a wide diversity of independent artists he has collaborated in live performance and studio session work. He has also been opener, guest, or supporting band member to some of the blues greats: John Mayall (Bluesbreakers), John Primer (Muddy Waters), Amos Garrett (Paul Butterfield's Better Days), Lil' Jimmy Reed, Tim Williams and Robert Cray. Ethan is fine company with Canada's best as repeat instructor and performer at the renowned Hornby Island Blues Workshops on the west coast.

Walk When You Wanna Run is the title of his 2022 independent release, a collection of songs that one might categorize as modern blues. The title track recounts a visit he made to the south side Chicago home of Junior Wells (“godfather of blues”, bandmate of Buddy Guy and Muddy Waters), years after making his acquaintance at Calgary’s infamous King Eddy. Singing of stray bullets, fish delivery and bear country, he shares a pivotal experience in his personal journey as a musician and offers a fresh take on the funky urban electric blues that Junior Wells was known for. The album has had sustained play on public and commercial radio around the world, earning steady Top 50 radio play chart positions and "best of year" recognition (Roots Music Report). 

Now, Ethan Askey & the Elevators have formed to create more new music. The fresh lyric material continues in Askey's style of drawing from rich experiences and relationships with people in his life, songs flowing authentically and naturally, like springs from a hillside. In a genre-defying sweep of sound encompassing roots and blues and beyond, the new album includes deeply personal and poetic lyrics, some barn-burning boogie, some fun and some freakiness, swing and groove. With co-writer Keith Larsen on guitar and vocals, Ben Dunn on drums and vocals, and Mike Honeyman on bass and vocals, together these purveyors of fine Rocky Mountain roots and boogies blues deliver electrifying live performances to move audiences in body and soul. They've lived a little, and they will draw you into tasty tales of faraway places, love gone wrong, and whistling past the graveyard. With advance singles "Zamboni Girl" and "Clarksdale" already released, their new album Outside the Lines releases everywhere June 29, 2026.