rePercussion
When: Thursday, May 5 – 7:30pm
Location: Fei and Milton Wong Experimental Theatre (SFU Woodward’s), Goldcorp Centre for the Arts, 149 West Hastings St.
Tickets: $18 at TicketWeb.ca Get Tickets>>
Led by multi-talented percussionist, Paul Bray with the support of Sal Ferreras, this event explores percussion and folk drumming from the variety of cultures that represent Vancouver. Whether Japanese drums or Afro-Cuban, or a melding of Punjabi and Brazillian styles, rePercussion explores traditions of rhythm from around the world.
Specifically brought together for this show, rePercussion will feature Grammy award winner Afro-Cuban artist, Israel “Toto” Berriel, Juno award winner, Elaine Shepherd accompanied by Jimmy Baldwin, Sambata, Surrey India Arts Club Bhangra dancers, Rayman Bhuller on dhol, Robin Payne, Bonnie Soon and Naomi Kajiwara, Fana Soro, Liam Macdonald, Navaro Franco and more. The event will feature the unusual pairings between Brazilian Bateria, Latin American marimba, Taiko drums from Japan, African drumming, Afro-Cuban percussion and Bhangra folk dancing from India.
Paul Bray is a dynamic and charismatic multi-talented percussionist working as a musical educator and performer in Vancouver. Drawing on a strong classical background, Paul has devoted his attention to the study of African influenced music, specializing in Afro-Cuban and Afro-Brazilian folkloric musical styles. He has studied extensively in Cuba, and has developed a strong command of Brazilian percussion. In Vancouver, he has collaborated with Afro-Bahia Dance Productions and Yasse Afro-Arts in addition to working as a studio musician and directing Sambata, Vancouver’s 20 piece Escola de Samba. Currently, Paul is the percussion instructor at the Sarah McLachlan Music Outreach.
Described by Senator Yonah Martin as “the future of Canada on stage”, rePercussion successfully combines cultural innovation, artistic excellence and a powerful message through performance.
Additional Performer Bios:
Israel “Toto” Berriel is an esteemed Cuban percussionist and singer from Los Muñequitos de Matanzas. This Grammy award winner was part of the Rumba All-stars that performed on the 2001 Latin Grammy-winning album, La Rumba Soy Yo. Toto, a native of the city of Matanzas, Cuba, began his professional music career as a member of “Grupo AfroCuba de Matanzas” in 1988. After two years with AfroCuba, Toto was invited to join the ranks of the world famous “Los Muñequitos de Matanzas”, unexpectedly following in his father’s footsteps. He has toured worldwide, singing, playing and teaching classes. His easy charm, curious mind and characteristic Cuban warmth place Toto affectionately in the minds and hearts of his students, creating a comfortable and productive working environment. In the past decade, Toto has shared the stage with many greats including Herbie Hancock, Los Van Van and Irakere. He has also played and recorded with Bomba! Although Toto is deeply steeped in the AfroCuban traditions, he also plays joyfully with the influences of Cuban popular music, American jazz, soul and funk.
Elaine “Lil’bit” Shepherd is the proud recipient of the 2011 Juno Award for Best Female Reggae Artist. She began her singing career in 1994 when at the age of seven joined The Big Bang (Batibot) Gang. This youth variety group toured extensively in her native Bahrain, where she lived until immigrating to Canada with her family in 1997. In Vancouver, she studied voice, guitar, and composition, later graduating from the VCC School of Music. In 2004, Shepherd won the Richmond District Idol Singing Competition and recorded her first single. She also performs regularly in Vancouver with reggae bands Ten Souljers, Natural Flavas, Selassie iPower, and Fredlocks Asher and the Ultra Flex Crew.Shepherd’s diverse musical range reflects her complex Anglo-Indian and Filipino-Spanish parentage.
Surrey India Arts, a not-for-profit society that formed in 1975. These talented Bhangra dances aim to build awareness among the Punjabi community in Canada regarding the promotion and preservation of the Punjabi/Indian language and traditions. Members of Surrey India Arts Club have performed across North America and continue to build team spirit and educate people about the South Asian community.
Kocassalé Dioubate is a griot from the Mandingue people of Guinea, West Africa. He has devoted his life to the music of his culture and has recorded and performed as head soloist with Youssou N’Dour, Moussa M’Boum, Ballet Bougarabou in Senegal & Ballet Kaloum Lole in Guinea. Since arriving in Canada in 2005, he has had the opportunity to plays festivals all over Canada and has released two solo CDs of traditional African music, recorded and performed with Jarimba, toured extensively with Masabo Culture Company, and given workshops to countless participants.
Robin Layne has performed across Europe, China, the U.S. and Canada at jazz and folk festivals. He is a founding member of Jarimba, an Afro-Funk Collective. He also performs with roots/blues artist Bocephus King and world fusion group Tambura Rasa, besides freelancing with a wide range of ensembles from salsa and jazz to traditional West and South African music. Currently, Robin works at the Sarah McLachlan Music Outreach Program, where he teaches mallets and percussion, and works at the Shadbolt Centre for the Arts where he accompanies dance. Robin is a graduate of the L.A. Music Academy and V.C.C. School of Music. His love for world music has taken him to Cuba where he also studied with the Folclorico Nacional Ballet Cutumba and most recently to Guinea and Mali to study traditional music and culture.
Jimmy Baldwin is an extremely versatile modern guitarist who was born and raised in northern British Columbia. Although primarily self-taught, he moved to Vancouver in 2005 where he was offered a scholarship to study Contemporary Jazz Guitar at Vancouver Community College’s School of Music. While completing his Applied Music Degree at VCC, Jimmy received numerous scholarships and awards including the Dave Greenall Leadership Award, AJ Bay Memorial Scholarship and a National Millennium Excellence Award. He spent two years with the VCC Latin Jazz Ensemble and another two in the guitar chair of the VCC jazz fusion group “Short Fuse”. As a member of “Jarimba” he uses his wide range of influences to contribute to the exciting and eclectic sound of the Afro-Funk/World Fusion group that released their debut album in May 2008. Jimmy spent 4 years (2006-2010) as the Assistant Guitar Instructor at the Sarah MacLachlan Music Outreach and now balances a number of exciting teaching opportunities with his ongoing performing career. An experienced sideman, Jimmy has most recently been working with South African Munkie Ncapayi’s Nine and a Half Band; country singers Sandra Laratta, AJ Woodworth, and Todd Richard; Chinese virtuoso Mei Han; and Uncommon Gold led by Canadian jazz guitar great Stephen Fisk. He has also embarked on a solo career as a country artist in 2010.
Rayman Bhuller is Canada’s most accomplished dhol player and founder of Surrey’s Dhol Nation Academy. Music has always been an integral part of his life and he continues to learn music from his guru in Bombay, Ustad Ramzu Mohd. With training, creativity, and devotion, Rayman seeks a new dawn in the Bhangra world. It’s a dream of his to one day very soon see a competitive music industry in Canada. Watch out for projects featuring music by Rayman that are currently in the pipeline including his debut album releasing in 2011.
Sambata is a percussion school and musical ensemble that plays a powerful and unique blend of music drawing on the rich traditions of Afro-Cuban and Afro-Brazilian popular and folkloric music. Sambata offer’s community workshops and ongoing classes introducing people to the exciting world of percussion and community music making. As a performing group, Sambata delivers high energy, inspiring performances in parades, clubs and corporate events throughout the Greater Vancouver area. Since its inception in 2000, Sambata has touched thousands of lives with our brand of innovative arrangements, cross-cultural instrumentation and exuberant spirit. www.sambata.org
Fana Soro, the group leader of Masabo Culture Company, is a hereditary master of the balafon, West Africa’s big wooden xylophone. Fana was a member of the prestigious Ballet National de Cote d’Ivoire for 9 years. Fana hails from the Senoufo tribe in northern Cote d’Ivoire and has made Canada his home for the past 12 years.
Liam MacDonald began his formal training at nine years old when he started taking classical percussion lessons in his hometown, Kitchener, Ontario. Liam continued to play in Rock bands through his teens and early twenties when his new found interests in Jazz and World music made him decide to relocate to Vancouver and study Jazz at Capilano College. Liam is a member of Bocephus King (Rock/R&B), The Modellos (Surf rock), Looseacoustic (Jazz improvisation), Terminal Station (Blues), Maqam (Middle Eastern Folk), The Town Pants (Celtic), Fantazea (Brazilian Jazz), Zazueira (Brazilian Pop). With these bands Liam has toured world-wide. Liam has also shared the stage with Jim Byrnes, Jesse Zubot, Steve Dawson, Bill Coon, Celso Machado, Coco Love Alcorn, Luke Doucet, and Ridley Bent.
Bonnie Soon is a professional taiko player that has performed with Uzume Taiko since 1991, toured B.C., across Canada and to the U.K., Belgium, Holland, Germany, Japan, Mexico and Russia. Bonnie collaborates with musicians, dancers and storytellers in the creation of new work for taiko. She teaches taiko drumming and leads artist residencies in schools and community centers. Bonnie began her performing career as a modern dancer, touring with many companies including Paula Ross Modern Dance Company, Kokoro Dance, and Snake in the Grass Moving Theatre. She has professional credits in stage management and has worked in all aspects of media production.
Naomi Kajiwara became enthralled with Taiko after being inspired by Uzume, Goddess of Laughter, during her first workshop with Uzume Taiko back in 2001. In 2003 Naomi began performing with Uzume Taiko and since then has enjoyed reaching out to different audiences, from local elementary schools to international festivals. Naomi has had the privilege of attending various taiko conferences and workshops where she has had the opportunity to learn from other taiko professionals like Kenny Endo, Tiffany Tamaribuchi, Michelle Fujii, and percussionist Boris Sichon. Born and raised in Burnaby, British Columbia, Naomi has been passionately involved in arts and performance where she has over 25 years experience in dance including: jazz, tap, hip-hop, Hawaiian and Polynesian. She currently teaches taiko music and dance to people of all ages. Naomi would like to thank Bonnie Soon, Boyd Seichi Grealy, and Jason Overy for their mentorship and taiko guidance.
Navaro Franco is a cultural translator inspired by ancient traditions of earth based music, rhythm, and dance. She is deeply interested in the current movement of traditional knowledge into present day context, and how it can be brought forth to support consciousness, community, and healing in our modern world. Navaro draws from over 20 years of experience as a student, teacher and performer in many forms of dance and music. She has spent many years playing within community and professional music groups, and has taught thousands of people in private, corporate, school and retreat center settings.
rePercussion will be taking place in SFU Woodward’s Fei and Milton Wong Experimental Theatre at the Goldcorp Centre for the arts, for the very first time. The new venue will be in a very unique configuration for this special evening.
Sample videos of the performers below