This is Eugene Draw, the 22 year old violinist. *gosh!*
I just love the way he plays the violin.
This is the guitarist...
Chan.. the electric harpist.
(I spotted him while he was gonna hop into the car cos they were on a rush to Calgary. SOOO happy my sister managed to take this picture for me. He makes Chinese proud! )
I found another article about Dr. Draw..
Dr. Draw Biography
Beethoven with Beats
When Eugene Draw was still busking for a living, people working in the office towers nearby often called the joyful musician “doctor.” He had the ability to cure the common blues and uplift the spirits of even the most cynical passer-by. If positive energy has been a consistent element of Dr. Draw’s career, then genre bending is certainly another trademark. In fact, his renditions of classical masterpieces as well as his original compositions defy singular classification. Is it “Beethoven with beats” as one critic described Draw’s music or are the sounds more at home in a downtown lounge with a dry martini in hand? Perhaps the better question is who cares when it sounds this good, this seductive, this satisfying?
Unfettered by music’s traditional boundaries, Dr. Draw and his talented band pull together an organic blend of instruments that satisfies eclectic audiences. Added to Draw’s violin strings are the instruments of his musical collective: an award-winning guitarist, electronic keyboard specialist, electric harpist, rock bassist and drummer. At a recent performance in Boston, a writer for Newsweekly reported that “a young violinist - an attractive guy who goes by the moniker Dr. Draw - stole the show with his infectious performance of high energy, piping out a mix of classical and house musical sounds from his electric violin. The show allegedly literally brought some to tears.” Citing such diverse influences at Chopin, Charles Minges, David Bowie and Pink Floyd, Dr. Draw comes by his unique musical masala honestly. When various traditional melodies from around the world are added to the mix, it becomes easier to find both something familiar in his music and at the same time be intrigued by what is unusual and novel. Elements of African percussion, Indian ragas, North American folk music and reggae all find their place here and there throughout Dr. Draw’s compositions.
Born in Moscow to a family immersed in classical music, the young boy learned the power and drama of performance from his ballerina mother. He practised his beloved violin sometimes up to six hours a day, hardly willing to stop for breaks. When Eugene’s parents moved to Canada, he was enrolled at the prestigious Royal Conservatory of Music. Ultimately constrained by the school’s formal approach to music, Eugene left the institution in favour of the street where he was free to improvise and experiment. Brandishing his beloved violin and an unlimited imagination, the teenager threw himself into his music like never before. With a marked passion and unmistakable gift, Dr. Draw’s performances drew growing audiences and he was soon “discovered” by Canada’s largest newspaper that enthusiastically declared him one of the country’s most promising young performers. Draw has been based the last two years in Montreal as part of that city’s burgeoning music scene.
From Toronto Streets to Palace Stages
Although only a few years since the Toronto Star featured the young violinist, his unique performance is today sought by event organizers across the arts and commercial spectrum. Notable recent appearances have included opening for the legendary Patti Labelle at the Toronto Fashion Cares AIDS Benefit, sharing the stage with Usher at the Louis Vuitton Emprise jewellery launch party in New York, and again for the Louis Vuitton Cup in Newport, Rhode Island, a gala event for the International Yachting Restoration School. Dr. Draw was also invited to perform at this year’s Barenaked in Rosedale fundraiser hosted by the popular Barenaked Ladies, where Eugene also jammed on stage Ron Sexsmith, Jim Cuddy, and Our Lady Peace. One of his career favourites was playing at Prague’s Presidential Palace in the same venue where many of Europe’s greatest composers and musicians have played over the centuries. The summer of 2005 saw Draw and his band break into the Festival Circuit at the Beaches International Jazz Festival. As the undisputed star attraction he brought in the largest and most enthusiastic crowds. At just 23 years of age, Dr. Draw is assuming his place among only a handful of artists with the charisma and talent to command attention from so many important and diverse stages.
What people are saying …
"That Eugene Draw, a.k.a. the traffic-stoppingly excellent rock violinist who played at the Louis Vuitton partly last spring, and was so good that LV flew him to New York to play at a party there, has been getting a steady run of gigs stateside, including a posh bash for Dom Perignon and, more recently, a big South Beach party on New Year’s Eve"- Shinan Govani, scene columnist, National Post
"Think a funkier Josh Groban playing violin instead of crooning and you get some idea of what Eugene Draw, a.k.a. Dr. Draw, is up to – a bit classical, a lot of electro-pop"- Bill Rankin, Edmonton Journal
"One of the more unique and inspirational features of our Gold medal plates events was the performance at each event of “Dr. Draw”. Our events were a metaphor for Canadian excellence and passion at many levels…athletics…culinary achievement….music and entertainment. Dr. Draw’s performances sure put the spotlight on passion. What a wonderful gift from Russia…this young man who came to Canada as a young boy and now shares with all of his passion for and love of the violin. - Chris Rudge, CEO-Canadian Olympic Committee
"There is no single word that will do justice to the 23 year old performance artist, violinist and potential rock star Eugene Draw. But “intense” comes close.”- Stephen Pedersen, The Chronicle Herald, Halifax
- "I would like to thank you, on behalf of Whirlpool Canada Inc., for the fantastic and absolutely mind-blowing performance Eugene delivered at our sales conference …. Eugene is a brilliant performer"Marcin Lempka, Brand Manager – Inglis, Whirlpool Canada Inc.
- "This innovative young man is undoubtedly someone to watch. He is winning lots of fans on the Circuit because he adds a new dimension to the music and his enthusiasm on stage is absolutely infectious. So, if you suddenly hear a violin soaring through the tribal beat at some dance party, know that you’re not hallucinating, but you are in for a treat!"Bill Elias, Circuit Noize U.S.-based Magazine
-yupp.. that's him.. and his band.. they are the COOLEST!!, and yeah if you guys are curious about the music that he plays.. go to YOUTUBE to find him. I bought all three albums already, hmm.. probably I could post it up. -
This is where you guys can see their official website:
I was really, really lucky to hear them live in Edmonton for THREE times! woohoo~ Too bad I forgot to bring all my albums out on Canada Day but I managed to take pictures with them.
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