OKTOPUS
Project primarily devoted to klezmer. Distinguished by a novel approach that incorporates components of the classical and Quebecois repertoire, with some jazz and Balkan accents.
OKTOPUS
A two-time JUNO nominated multi-instrumentalist/producer, spoken-word poet, arts educator and community worker. in 2021, he was chosen as the laureate of the 2020 Ontario Arts Foundation Arts Educator Award.
Awarded numerous awards (JUNO, CFMA…), Oktopus is a major presence on the Canadian world music scene, with over 250 performances to its credit at home and abroad. The group is primarily devoted to klezmer distinguished by a novel approach that incorporates various components of the classical and Quebecois repertoire, with some jazz and Balkan accents.
The eight virtuoso musicians offer festive, high-energy performances, at once melancholic and profound, sprinkled with humour and spiced with narrative, in which original compositions and finely crafted arrangements combine with improvisation. Its members’ complicity, shared passion, and hard work are what makes each of their performances so memorable—whether on stage, in the street, on a ship, in a hot air balloon or in your living room, Oktopus is simply… spectentacular!
“Paquin-Buki is the driving force behind Oktopus’s mission to perpetuate klezmer. “By striving to perpetuate this musical tradition, I am keeping the culture of my ancestors alive and this is of special significance to me,” he said.”
Jewish Independant
Awarded numerous awards (JUNO, CFMA…), Oktopus is a major presence on the Canadian world music scene, with over 250 performances to its credit at home and abroad. The group is primarily devoted to klezmer distinguished by a novel approach that incorporates various components of the classical and Quebecois repertoire, with some jazz and Balkan accents.
“Paquin-Buki is the driving force behind Oktopus’s mission to perpetuate klezmer. “By striving to perpetuate this musical tradition, I am keeping the culture of my ancestors alive and this is of special significance to me,” he said.”