Oktopus

BIOGRAPHY

Oktopus is a leading presence on the Canadian intercultural music scene, with over 350 performances to its credit at home and abroad. The octet primarily devotes itself to klezmer music, while taking a distinctive approach that incorporates elements from the classical, Québécois, and jazz repertoires. Acclaimed for its high-quality performances and intricate arrangements, Oktopus has garnered several local and international awards over the years.


MUSICIANS

  • Gabriel Paquin-Buki – clarinet, composition and arrangements
  • Matthieu Bourget – bass trombone
  • Madeleine Doyon – tenor trombone
  • Guillaume Martineau – piano
  • Maxime Philippe – drums and percussions
  • Francis Pigeon – trumpet
  • Zoé Dumais ​– violin
  • Noémie Caron-Marcotte​ - flute

AWARDS

  • 2025 - Brahms, Balkans & Bagels in July's top 10 according to World Music Charts Europe​
  • 2023 - ‘‘People's Choice Award’’ at the Bubbe Awards 2023, given by the Institute of Jewish Musics of Brazil for ‘‘Best video of a Jewish song’’.
  • 2023 - Nominee ‘‘Artist of the year’’ by the BC Touring Council​
  • 2022 - Nominee ADISQ « Album of the year : World Music ».​
  • 2021 - Nominee Canadian Folk Music Award
  • 2021 - Nominee Opus Award
  • ​2021 - « Special prize for the most creative fusion of ancient and contemporary music traditions » awarded by the Slovak Radio Bratislava​
  • 2018 - ​Nominee Canadian Folk Music Award 
  • 2018 - Nominee Juno Award 
  • ​Grand gagnant de la 8me édition du concours les syli d’or de la musique du monde​​

​FROM QUEBEC - CANADA

PROJECT


BRAHMS, BALKANS & BAGELS

Brahms, Balkan & Bagels explores the elements of folklore that inspired great classical composers. How did Hungarian folk melodies influence Brahms or Liszt? How does Enescu’s native Romania appear in his works? What traces has klezmer music left in Mahler’s great symphonies? In a virtuosic, moving, and unique performance, Oktopus brilliantly combines classical and folk music from Eastern Europe.



VIDEOS

Extraits de concert​​

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Kolomeyka

Mahler Goes Meshuge​​​

  • Danse hongroise no 5, Johannes Brahms
  • Le Grand Cerf-Volant, Gilles Vigneault
  • Oy Tate S'iz Gut, Traditionnel

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