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New Interactive World Map

*aka "Where In the World Was Derek Gray?"

"Live and Interactive" Series feat. Andrew Kay

"In the fall of 2013, I was given the opportunity to walk the Camino de Santiago – 800 km across Northern Spain, 33 days of walking. Needless to say, I had some time to think along the Camino ;) One of the things that I kept coming back to was “Where do I fit into all of this? How will I engage?” Perhaps my most important resolution was to embrace my role as an active member of the community. Within the framework of the community, my impact – our impact – can be something more.”

                                                                                                                                                   - Derek Gray
 

"Live and Interactive" Series feat. Andrew Kay (alto saxophone, graphic design, photography)

Sunday, January 26th @ 9 pm

Emmet Ray (924 College St.)

  

In January 2014, I am very much looking forward to launching the “Live and Interactive” Series at the Emmet Ray. Every last Sunday of the month, I will invite an artist to share their music, and talk about what they love. The series will focus on creative artists who are doing interesting/important work in and around Toronto. The evenings will be part concert, part discussion - open to whatever topics the featured artist/audience choose to explore.
 
The first “Live and Interactive” evening will feature Andrew Kay (alto saxophone/graphic design/photography). On Sunday, January 26th at 9 pm, Andrew will join me to talk about his experience as an artist, his time living in India over the past five years, as well as his plans for the future. Andrew will share his music - a synthesis of Classical Indian Raga tradition and Western Improvisatory music – as well as photos and stories from his journey to India, where he has been studying Raga Music with his Guru, vocalist Shantanu Bhattacharya. For more info about Andrew, please visit: andrew-kay.ca or www.monsoon-music.com

 
In preparation for the first “Live and Interactive” Series, I asked Andrew Ten Question – about art, life, adventures, and more. Please take a moment to reflect on his responses – attached below. 
 
I am so very excited to have Andrew Kay joining us for the first “Live and Interactive” evening at the Emmet Ray. I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to Andrew for his passion and excitement in preparing for this event. Also, special thanks to Andrew Kaiser (owner/manager of the Emmet Ray) for offering the intimate, back room for this ongoing series.
 
Please join us on Sunday, January 26th at the Emmet Ray as we start what will surely be an interesting, engaging discussion.
 
Peace and love,

Derek
 
PS. Next Month: Sunday, February 23rd featuring Francois Mulder. Stay tuned for more info.

Derek Gray Collective @ Gate 403

Click here to hear more: Derek Gray Collective

"Songs for Ogún" arranged for Kitsikpo

It's the Holidays - I want to share some music with y'all!

Here's a video I shot: "Songs for Ogún" arranged for Kitsikpo (Kashakas).

The songs (vocal cantos) are from the Oru Cantado - part of the Batá tradition. Over the past 6 years, I've studied this traditional repertoire in Canada, Cuba, and Swizerland.

Most recently, in October 2013, I spent two weeks living/studying with Julio Davalos in Biel, Switzerland - learning the drum language, vocal cantos and spiritual/historical context of the folkloric Cuban music. Originally from Havana, Julio is a master drummer of folkloric Afro-Cuban styles (Batá, Rumba, Palo). Currently based in Switzerland, he co-authored a book/CD-series documenting the folkloric vocal traditions of Cuba, Cantos Afro-Cubano. 

In the summer of 2009, I travelled to Ghana, where I studied traditional West African hand drumming/percussion. I spent three weeks living in Dagbamete (a village in the Volta Region), where I learned traditional drums/dance of the Ewe tribe with master drummers Kwasi Dunyo and Ledzi Agudzemegah. This is where I was first introduced to Kitsikpo (Kashakas).

Now, I've joined the two. Here's my arrangement of "Songs for Ogún" performed on Kitsikpo. Enjoy!