GaPa is a duo comprised of musicians Ganesh Anandan and Patrick Graham. Based in Montréal, the two percussionists have been working closely together for the past 5 years, exploring new techniques and compositional structures for percussion with a special emphasis on finger drumming styles.

Featuring compositions by both artists, and employing an extensive array of instruments, such as the bodhran, kanjira, riqq, and taiko, GaPa draws inspiration from styles and traditions as varied as Irish, Arabic, and Japanese music. In particular, the complex South-Indian, or karnatak rhythmic system permeates the duo’s sound. Add a modern sensibility, a sense of humour, invented instruments, as well as vocals and melodic elements to round out this unique musical fusion, and the result is an organic, cross-cultural mélange that defies classification.

GaPa often collaborates with guest artists, including concert appearances with noted percussionists Glen Velez, USA (1999), Ramesh Shotham, India (2001) and Carlo Rizzo, Italy (2001). In 2002, GaPa collaborated with dancer/choreographer Hideo Arai in the creation of the production Gravity, and toured in Canada and Japan.

Past performances include the Vancouver New Music Festival (2002), the Canadian Embassy in Tokyo (2002), the Festival des musiques de creation in Jonquière (2003), as well as the Arts Sutton Jazz Festival (2003). GaPa recently appeared on CBC TVs late-night program ZeD, broadcast on February 4th, 2004.

To view the online video of ThaKiTa click here

To view the online video of Bodjira click here

More GaPa Photos

Listen to GaPa

GaPa Poster

imaginaria, the first GaPa recording, is a CD of original music employing an extensive array of percussion and ‘invented’ instruments adapted to suit the duo’s hybrid techniques and unusual playing styles. Drawing inspiration from the rhythms of South-India, Ireland, Japan, and other regions, GaPa’s music defies classification: an organic, cross-cultural mélange where tradition meets innovation.

imaginaria also reflects GaPa’s desire to create a malleable body of pieces that accommodate collaboration with musicians from around the world, and features the unique talents of Takinojo Mochizuki (Japanese percussion and vocals), Kohei Nishikawa (Japanese flutes), Oliver Schroer (violin), and Rainer Wiens (prepared guitar).

Featuring the pieces:

1- Thakita (G. Anandan)
2- Bodjera (GaPa)
3- Neputa (P. Graham)
4- Sprung (GaPa)
5- Five Sounds (GaPa) with Takinojo Mochizuki & Kohei Nishikawa.
6- Gravity (GaPa)
7- Permutations #3 (G. Anandan)
8- Underwater (GaPa / R. Wiens) with Rainer Wiens.
9- Funky M (G. Anandan)
10- Marionette (GaPa)
11- Alap & Yellow Mala (G. Anandan) with Oliver Schroer.
12- Enfance (GaPa)

Total time- 62: 49

Ganesh Anandan: bodhran, flower pots, frame drum kit, ghungroo, harmonic singing, hand claps, Javanese gongs, kanjira, konnakkol, shruti metallophone, shakers, wood blocks.

Patrick Graham: assorted bells, bodhran, cajon, caxixi, chappa, Chinese temple blocks, cowbells, cymbals, floor tom, gongs, ghungroo, hand claps, konnakkol, kkwaenggwari, porcelain bowls, riqq, shakers, shimejishi daiko, snare drum, wind chimes.

Engineering by Dino Giancola, DeTour Sound. Produced by GaPa.

Distributed by the Canadian Music Centre

“Imaginaria is a beautiful exercise in making percussion instruments sing. The two players focus on hand percussion: bodhran, frame drums, and all kinds of blocks, bowls, and bells. They also make vocal percussion, like in "Thakita," a thrilling opener that immediately catches your attention and sends a rhythmic current from your ears through your spine and to your feet. Some pieces are more textural or free-form, but the beat is never far… The musicality in GaPa's pieces almost eclipses the duo's virtuosity.” -François Couture, All Music Guide

Music from Imaginaria:
ThaKiTa (G. Anandan - 814 kb)
Bodjira (GaPa - 960kb)

For more information about GaPa, contact Patrick directly.

All photos : © Dominique Sicotte