Afro-Cuban Batá Adapted to Drumset @ Small World Music

On Friday, March 25, Derek Gray debuted his adaptation of Batá rhythms to drumset - a new approach to the instrument, rooted in this ancient Afro-Cuban drum tradition. Having studied Batá over the course of the past 8 years with masters, Julio Davalos & Román Diaz, in four countries - Canada, Cuba, Switzerland & USA – Derek’s creative adaptations of this music to the drum kit are not only a modern approach to the Batá tradition, but also an exciting new way of playing the drumset.

In debuting this new project, dgtoqué, Derek is joined in the percussion section/Batá trio by Reimundo Sosa & Magdelys Sav, featuring improvisation/electronics alongside guitarist Patrick O’Reilly, saxophonist Edwin Sheard, and brother/bassist Justin Gray.

Stay tuned for upcoming concerts!

Composition Published in Canadian Orff Magazine

Ostinato - the National Canadian Orff Magazine - published my composition in the Winter 2016 edition :) Wahoo!

I wrote "And Tango Makes Three" about two male penguins who fell in love in the Central Park Zoo - a fun way of exploring different family structures with kids through music. It's based on the award-winning children's' book of the same name by Peter Parnell & Justin Richardson. Thanks to Noelle Drimmie (Flin Flon, MB - when I was teaching drums at her school) for introducing me to this brilliant kids book - if you haven't read it, go buy a copy now!! Here's a link: http://www.amazon.ca/Tango-Makes-Three-Justin-Richardson/dp/0689878451

This was my final assignment for the Orff Level One course last summer at the Royal Conservatory of Music - a simple pentatonic song for Orff ensemble.

Sidenote for teachers: if you'd like a copy of the sheet music for "And Tango Makes Three", feel free to shoot me a message - I'm happy to share :) Or download it from the Orff Canada website: http://www.orffcanada.ca/lesson_ideas.html

Synthesis @ Toronto Centre for the Arts

Toronto Centre for the Arts

Saturday, February 27 @ 8 PM

Presented by JPEC

Justin Gray - Bass Veena

Ted Quinlan - Guitar

Ravi Naimpally - Tabla

Derek Gray - Tibetan Meditation Bowls/Percussion

Noam Lemish 4tet ft. Amos Hoffman (Israel/NYC)

 

Singing Bowls Singing Christmas Carols

Joyeux Noël tout le monde! Feliz Navidad á todos! Merry Christmas to all!

Here's "Silent Night" played on Tibetan Singing Bowls :)

Sending peace & love to friends and family around the World!