In February/March of this year, I was at the Banff Centre, participating in a Winter Creative Music Residency. Out West, I had three main focuses: practicing drums, rehearsing/workshopping with Roarshaq, and exploring the outdoors. Here's a few pictures. Enjoy!
For more info about programming at the Banff Centre: www.banffcentre.ca
For six weeks in January and February, I studied folkloric music in Cuba.
In Havana, I stayed in a “casa particulaire” – a private residence where students/travelers rent rooms. My host, Maria, was incredibly warm and welcoming. She didn’t speak a word of English, but she was always up for a good conversation. That brings me to my first order of business: Español.
Before leaving Canada, I took a Spanish 101 crash course. I’m grateful that I did that, because – unlike everywhere else I’ve been – English doesn’t cut it in Cuba. For the places that I wanted to visit, the people I wanted to meet, the things I wanted to learn, Spanish was the only option. My speaking/comprehension came a long way in six weeks, but I often found myself falling back on: “Despacio, por favor.” ;)
While learning Spanish was an ongoing education, the main focus of my six-week adventure was music. I studied the Bata (“bah-tah”) musical tradition – a drumming style closely related with the Santeria religion. With origins in Nigeria, Bata were brought to Cuba with the slave trade; for centuries, this ancient musical tradition was been preserved in Cuba.
Bata are hourglass-shaped drums played with hands. Three drummers play at once; each drum has two heads. With six different rhythms being played at the same time, the resulting rhythmic/melodic interplay is second to none. Add a chorus of call/response vocalists and expressive dancers in brightly coloured dress, and you’ve got a truly incredible musical experience.
I studied Bata in Canada for the past six years with my professor, Steve Mancuso. With a few years of playing under my belt and a decent comprehension of the tradition, I felt it was time to experience the “real deal” – it was time to go to Cuba.
Over the course of six weeks, I was never lacking for excitement; Havana is a very vibrant city. As with any city, it certainly isn’t without flaws (that’s for another time), but there is an energy here that never ceased to amaze me. There’s constant balance between hustle-bustle and stopping to say hi to EVERYBODY on the street; between roadside churros and home-cooked meals; between Cuban Convertibles (CUC) and Moneda Nacionale (CUP); between old cars ... and older ones.
I spent large parts of my days exploring the city on foot. When not walking, I was usually at a concert. Most nights, I went to local Rumba concerts (the more popular/accessible form of Cuban folkloric music). With a heavy focus on drums, Rumba features congas, vocals, and – fairly sexual – dancing. Because most Bata drummers are well versed in Rumba, these concerts were a great way of meeting people in the drumming community. I was lucky enough to meet many incredible musicians that were all very open to sharing.
Anyways, that’s just a brief overview. Now I’ll let the pictures share their own stories.
Enjoy!
Happy New Year !!!
As we start off what will surely be an amazing year, I wanted to take a moment to thank you all for your continued support.
As my way of saying thanks, I’m offering a free mp3 download of Joni Mitchell’s “Both Sides Now” (as performed by the Derek Gray Collective). Special thanks to Thom Varey (live recording/mixing), Reuben Ghose (Mojito Mastering), and most of all to the musicians, for bringing the song to life: Jill Harris (vocals), Jon Kay (sax), Chris Pruden (piano), and Jake Von Wurden (bass).
You can download the song here (in the “Downloads” section):
Enjoy!
- Derek
“Funny how the person who always knew how to make me laugh, also reminded me that it’s okay to cry.”
In the early hours of December 12th, Suyun Kim passed away in his sleep at the age of 29. Suyun will be remembered as a kind spirit and a beautiful musician; also as the loving husband of Jihye Choi.
I am blessed to have been able to call Suyun a dear friend, and I am grateful to have had the opportunity to make music with Suyun for the past few years. Last Tuesday, a few hours before his passing, Suyun and I shared the stage at the Rex. In hindsight, neither of us could have anticipated that this would be the last chance we’d get to make music together; we parted ways with the usual “See you next time”.
Until that “next time” comes, I will continue to draw inspiration from Suyun’s music, I will look for his smile in the faces of close friends, and I will strive to be more open and loving with everyone in my life.
Thank you, Suyun.
For more information about Suyun Kim, please visit:
Over the course of two months in 2011, my dad and I travelled from Toronto to Gros Morne National Park, NL. Along the way, we hiked/biked/camped/explored, savouring the opportunity to spend time with Canada’s great outdoors.
Derek Gray