Date: 2016-2022
Role: Pianist, Keyboardist, Recording Assistant
Collaborators: Elias “Kokou” Damawou
Since 2016 I have been collaborating with Togo-born trumpet player, jazz musician and composer Elias “Kokou” Damawou, a golden talent forging his own voice with an original repertoire combining rhythmic elements of Togo with jazz harmonies and arrangements.
This culminated in a recording session in April 2022. Two demo EPs had previously been produced with different lineups.
Date: 2016-2017
Roles: Sound Designer (Field recording, Sampling, Composition, Production), Videographer, Photographer
Collaborator: Sarah Elola, Montréal Arts Interculturels (MAI)
La Pileuse dives deep into the origins of rhythm and dance. This art of entering in communion with the elements instead of resisting them, of neither enduring nor dominating them; this art of renewal that can transcend the laborious; La Pileuse takes stock of all this and represents a mine of movements, sounds and philosophical reflections in what is ultimately an intimate encounter with the African woman. La Pileuse is Sarah Elola’s second solo piece. It draws upon African traditions, and more specifically those of Oulo and Boromissi – villages in Burkina Faso where the dancer and choreographer spent her childhood.
I produced the entirety of the soundscape for this piece, which integrated instrumental performance mixed with sample-based production. I also contributed some video and photo work.
Date: 2016
Roles: DJ, Musician, Music Researcher and Sampler, Sound Modeler
Collaborators: Nina Segalowitz, Moe Clark
Relive a magical performance put on for Nuit Blanche 2016 called “NIPI: Paysages Sonores”, led by spoken word poet / musician Moe Clark alongside throat singer Nina Segalowitz & Rhythm & Hues on turntables / MPC. The multi-layered set mixed traditional storytelling, drumming and singing with loop pedals, effects, and a sample-based sound design drawing from field recordings and the rich pantheon of indigenous music to create an northern ambiance as crisp as the night outside. The highlight of the night was this live retelling of an Inuit Drum Story, presented here. This performance, commissioned by the Canadian Guild of Crafts, marks their first collaboration together.
CON MAR Y RIO is the result of a serendipitous cross-cultural collaboration between Montreal, Quebec and Barranquilla, Colombia. Born of a blend of two musical streams, jazz improvisation and afro-colombian rhythms, this album highlights the rich musical heritage of the Atlantic coast of Colombia, all while retaining the percussive jazz flavour of Rhythm & Hues.
Inspired by the roots music of Totó la Momposina and Son Palenque, exuberant Carnaval horn phrasing, and the unique energy of the city itself, these pieces took shape over a period of 6 days during a composition residency in Barranquilla, Colombia in collaboration with LOJIQ (Les Offices Jeunesse Internationaux du Québec) and the Fundación Casa de Hierro.
The creative incubation of this nascent unit, comprised of a cast of top-flight musicians, culminated in a headlining spot in an outdoor concert and arts festival, the 11th Café al Aire Libre, in the historic Barrio Abajo neighbourhood.
The original compositions were then recorded in studio with the help and generosity of ace engineer / drummer Einar Escaf, with additional tracking and mixing in Montreal.
CON MAR Y RIO est le fruit d’une heureuse collaboration transculturelle entre Montréal (Québec) et Barranquilla (Colombie). Né du métissage de deux courants musicaux, l’improvisation jazz et les rythmes afro-colombiens, cet album met en relief le riche héritage musical de la côte atlantique colombienne, tout en conservant la saveur de jazz percussif de Rhythm & Hues.
Ces compositions originales sont inspirées des musiques traditionnelles de légendes comme Totó la Momposina et Son Palenque, de l’exubérance des sonorités carnavalesques, et de l’énergie singulière de la ville de Barranquilla. Elles ont pris forme sur une période de six jours, dans le cadre d’une résidence de composition dans la même ville, en collaboration avec LOJIQ (Les Offices Jeunesse Internationaux du Québec) et Fundación Casa de Hierro.
L’incubation créative, menant à la formation d’un groupe de musiciens de haut calibre, a culminé vers une prestation en tête d’affiche à la 11e saison de Café al Aire Libre, un festival d’art et de musique tenu dans le quartier historique de Barrio Abajo.
Les pistes ont ensuite été enregistrées en studio, avec le soutien et la générosité du maître ingénieur/batteur Einar Escaf, suivi et complété par des enregistrements et du mixage supplémentaires à Montréal.
CON MAR Y RIO es el fruto de una feliz colaboración transcultural entre Montreal (Quebec) y Barranquilla (Colombia). Nacido del mestizaje de dos corrientes musicales, la improvisación jazz y los ritmos Afrocolombianos, este álbum pone de relieve el rico patrimonio musical de la costa Atlántica colombiana, manteniendo el sabor del jazz percusivo de Rhythm & Hues (Parker Mah).
Estas composiciones originales se basan en los estilos musicales tradicionales de leyendas como Totó la Momposina y Son Palenque, la exuberancia de sonidos carnavalescos, y de la energía singular que tiene la ciudad de Barranquilla. Su forma se moldeó durante un período de seis días, en el marco de una residencia de composición de esa misma ciudad, en colaboración con LOJIQ (los Oficios Juventud internacionales de Quebec) y la Fundación Casa de Hierro.
La incubación creativa, que ayudó a formar un grupo de músicos de alto calibre, culminó en la 11ava presentación del festival Café al Aire Libre, un festival de arte y música que se realiza cada año en un histórico barrio de Barranquilla, Barrio Abajo.
Las pistas fueron grabadas en estudio, con el apoyo y la generosidad del maestro ingeniero / baterista Einar Escaf, complementadas con grabaciones y mezclas adicionales hechas en Montreal.
PARKER MAH – teclados, órgano, tambora, tamboas, percusión, composición, arreglos
EINAR ESCAF – batería, grabación
JULIO FRIAS – congas, tambor alegre, tambor llamador
JUVENTINO OJITO – clarinete
RANDY ZIMMERMAN – guitarra
GERARDO “CHELO” ÁLVAREZ – bajo
JUAN SEBASTIAN QUIROS – gaitas, tambora, maracas
Composición: Parker Mah (SOCAN) excepto “La Herencia” por Parker Mah & Juan Sebastian Quiros (SOCAN) & “El Tambor Sabroso,” partes 1 & 2, por Julio Frias
Grabado en octubre del 2013 en Barranquilla, Colombia, por Einar Escaf & Xavi “Tuff”, y en mayo del 2015 en Montreal, Canadá, en el estudio Chromatic Audio por Andrés Vial (chromatic-audio.com)
Mezclado y masterizado por Stéphane Claude, OBORO New Media Lab, Montreal, Canadá (www.oboro.net)
Producido por Parker Mah en colaboración con LOJIQ, Factor, OBORO y la Casa de Hierro, Barranquilla, Colombia
Diseño gráfico: Mohamed Thiam
momogoods.com
Agradecimientos a todos los músicos: Chelo, Juventino, Randy por tu colaboración y tu amistad, Julio por los ritmos, Einar por haberme prestado tu estudio, Lizeth, Jabiz “Tuff”, Julio Molina Acero, Miche Molina, Fausto & Julie Ojito, Nilson Marenco y Juan Sebastian Quiros.
La familia de la Casa de Hierro: Fabiola, Fadir, Faleimy, Jorge, Haroldo, Odimar, Adalberto, Henry, Adrian, Francisco, Luis, Daniel Moncada, y a todos los habitantes de Barrio Abajo.
La Facultad de Bellas Artes de la Universidad de Atlántico y el Programa Nacional de Concertación del Ministerio de Cultura de Colombia y Hotel Caribe 79.
Toute l’équipe de LOJIQ / OQAJ: Cyril Pringault, Andrée-Anne Paradis Julien, Marie-Élaine Guay, Aurora Bangarth at FACTOR
Victoria Mckenzie for the photos, Rafaelle Mackay for the tamboas, Steph Cajiao, Andres Vial, Stéphane Claude & A.J. Cornell at OBORO pour le soutien technique et financier, Sarah pour la traduction et ta patience infinie, Momo et Sarah M.K.
We acknowledge the financial support of FACTOR, the Government of Canada through the Department of Canadian Heritage (Canada Music Fund) and of Canada’s Private Radio Broadcasters.
(c) Parker Mah.
This EP represents one half of a series of original portraits based on the 12 signs of the Chinese zodiac, inspired by jazz pianist Mary Lou Williams’ seminal 1945 album The Zodiac Suite.
12 people, each acquaintances and each born under a different chinese astrological sign, were captured in individual portraits – 6 musical portraits and 6 video portraits – and presented at Studio 01 at OBORO in May 2012.
The entire work, entitled 12 CHARACTERS, was commissioned by the Festival Accès Asie in Montreal for “Moments,” an annual performance series based loosely around the themes of Networks and Interactions (be they across cultures, borders or disciplines), and highlighting emerging Asian-Canadian artists.
Woven together as a continuum of aural and visual vignettes, these oblique yet concise portraits were inspired by people and their qualities as seen through the composer’s eye. By layering present experiences over past histories, 12 Characters became a potent living statement on mixed self-identities and the diverse qualities that unite us, presented through video projections and a live musical performance.
The musical portion of this project, recorded live at the performance, are now being released for the first time as a stand-alone 6-track EP. Enjoy!
Original video portraits can be seen at Eyedea Video:
L. vimeo.com/51121773
S. K. vimeo.com/51049099
Cet EP est composé de la moitié d’une série de portraits originaux basés sur les douze signes de l’horoscope chinois. Cette série s’inspire de l’album incontournable de la pianiste de jazz Mary Lou Williams, intitulé The Zodiac Suite (1945).
12 personnes, chacune née sous un des 12 signes de l’horoscope chinois, ont inspiré des portrait individuels – soit 6 pièces musicales et 6 vidéos.
L’oeuvre tout entière, intitulée 12 CARACTÈRES, a été présentée au Festival Accès Asie à OBORO en mai 2012 dans le cadre de “Moments,” une série de performances basée autour des thématiques de Réseau et Interaction qui met en valeur des artistes émergeants de la diaspora asiatique.
Tissés dans un continuum de vignettes sonores et visuelles, ces portraits obliques mais concis s’inspirent des gens et de leurs qualités filtrés par l’oeil du compositeur. En superposant expériences actuelles et récits anciens, 12 Caractères devient une affirmation forte et
vivante des identités métissées et des diverses qualités qui nous unissent, prenant la forme de projections vidéos et de performances musicales.
La portion musicale de ce projet, enregistrée en direct pendant la performance, vous est offerte pour la première fois en format téléchargeable.
Portraits vidéos sont visionnables à Eyedea Video:
L. vimeo.com/51121773
S. K. vimeo.com/51049099
All compositions by Parker Mah (SOCAN) except track 3 by Parker Mah & Sarah Linhares (SOCAN)
Parker Mah – keys, composition, cajita, percussion
Anh Phung – flute propofol.bandcamp.com
Sarah Linhares – voice sarahlinhares.bandcamp.com
Martin Heslop – double bass brahjawaldman.bandcamp.com
Moïse Yawo Matey – calebasse, congas, djembe, cajon, percussion
Recorded in Studio 01 at OBORO, Montreal, May 11th 2012 by Stéphane Claude & Keith McMullen
Mixed & mastered by Stéphane Claude at OBORO New Media Lab.
www.oboro.net
Produced by Parker Mah in collaboration with Festival Accès Asie, Oboro & Jeunes Volontaires
Album artwork by Kimberley Mok
collectivepsyche.com
Thanks to: Sylvaine Chassay & Stéphane Claude, Janet Lumb & Khosro Berahmandi & tout le monde au Festival Accès Asie, Nathalie Pampin, Luis Arbulu, Jeunes Volontaires, Kalmunity Vibe Collective, Paul Hoyle & Alexandra Gutiérrez, Heri Rakotomalala, Bass Beye, et surtout Pape Babou Seck de Kaolack Djembe Culture de m’avoir appris tout les rythmes.
(c) Parker Mah.