Patrick Graham

This remarkable Canadian percussionist Patrick Graham explores a musical universe where the rhythms of Japanese, Mediterranean, Irish and southern Indian drums converge with traditional classical music. As a composer and musician, he strives to expand the musical borders to create new captivating rhythms. He also conducts percussion workshops as part of a provincial school program in education about the arts and culture.

Patrick Graham acquired his percussion techniques during his baccalaureat studies at McGill University and through multiple courses with musicians such as Glen Velez (New York), Pierre Béluse (Montreal), Trichy Sankaran (Toronto) and Taichi Ozaki (Tokyo). He refined his art through workshops and Master Classes in the Banff Centre for the Arts, at the University of Simon Fraser and with the Kosa International Percussion Workshops, most notably with Abraham Adzenyah, Joe LaBarbara, Modesto Amagago, Marco Leinhard, Alessandra Belloni and Sal Ferreras Patrick.

Largely accustomed to the stage, Patrick performs throughout the world, each concert an undeniable success. He has recorded with groups such as the Nave, FingerWorks, Norouet, Ramasutra, the Duet Frank and the Nishikawa Unit. He has also performed in the company of Catherine Lambert, Carlo Rizzo, Ramesh Shotham, Farhan Sabbagh, Rokia Traore, Oliver Schroer, Sachio Suginuma, Liu Fang, Catherine Potter, Takinojo Mochizuki, Makoto Takei.

Investing himself in various projects, Patrick frequently participates in events and festivals in both Canada and abroad. In 1999, he took part as a soloist of bodhrán in a performance by the Trinity Irish Dance Company in New York City. At the same time, he worked as a percussion tutor for the Dralion performance with Cirque de Soleil. During the past few years, Patrick has also played at the Vancouver New Music Festival (2002), The Arts Sutton Jazz Festival (2003/2004), the Festival of the Music celebrating the works of Jonquière (2003), the Toronto's Royal Conservatory of Music (2004) and with Festival Accès Asie 2004.

Press Review

"Patrick Graham est incroyable... il fait de la musique avec les percussions."
- Marie-Christine Blais, Radio-Canada

"...le percussionniste Patrick Graham fait montre d'une étonnante polyvalence."
-Yves Bernard, Ici

"... on retient les intéressantes explorations aux tambours par Patrick Graham."
-François Tousignant, Le Devoir

"[les percussionnistes de Fingerworks] sont maîtres de leur art [...] un trio qui possède une merveilleuse connaissance de ses instruments. "
- John Beck, magazine Percussive Notes

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