There is a new and exciting group emerging on the contemporary musical landscape: "GAIA". Though found
in Greek mythology, the term was popularized by environmentalist James Lovelock to describe the
image of planet Earth as a 'living organism'-"...it seemed to fit the vibe of the group in that we believe
compositions and music in general to be alive. This idea of art having 'life', being organic, informs our
approach to writing and playing music", explains pianist and composer Federico Gonzalez Pena; who
along with harmonica wunderkind Grégoire Maret and master drummer Gene Lake, formed GAIA. Thus,
uniting longtime friendship with a shared musical vision.
Each of these musicians has a very distinct and strong musical personality. They also share a diverse
background and history that has found them working together, and in different configurations, with
many artists. Me'shell N'DegeOcello, David Sanborn, Steve Coleman, The Pat Metheny Group, Maxwell,
Youssou N'Dour, Henry Threadgill, Chaka Khan, George Benson and Cassandra Wilson are just SOME of
the names found in GAIA's past and present.
This rich path has helped forge a vision and musical integrity in this new group that will surely manifest
itself for years to come.Along with their longstanding friendship, the members of GAIA bring with them
a rare musical commodity; true versatility. Well heeled in various traditions and equally comfortable in
pop forms and improvisation, GAIA's music promises to be both fresh and exciting; with a healthy
amount of unpredictability thrown in for good measure.
"In a time were a lot of music is targeted toward the lowest common denominator, we want to bring
some life and hope back to all who truly love music ".
GAIAContact GAIA : Sandrine Oyeyi Manager
13b, rue de Moraines 1227 Carouge/CH M +4176 328 23 11
[email protected]___________Grégoire Maret:At 30 years of age, Grégoire Maret has become the most sought after harmonica player behind legends
Toots Thielemans and Stevie Wonder. Influenced by both, Maret has managed to find his own voice on
the instrument. His capability to play almost anything has created a steady flow of collaboration with
musicians from the jazz, pop, rock, funk & R&B worlds, who call upon Maret's mastery to add the sound
element unique to him.Born May 13, 1975 in Geneva, Switzerland to a Swiss father and American mother, Maret began his
musical career as a harmonica player at age 17. He attended Geneva's prestigious Collège de Saussure
and the Superior Conservatory of Music. In 1995, he made the critical decision to move to New York City
and pursue his studies at the New School For Social Research, Jazz Program, where he graduated with a
BA in Music 1998 and has been on the move ever since.Grégoire's experience weaves a phenomenal tale. He has recorded, performed and toured with many
musical greats, including; Reggie Workman, Charles Tolliver, Charles Fambrough, Patato Valdez, Max
Roach, Tito Puente, Duke Ellington Orchestra, Pete la Roca, and Ray Brown. David Sanborn, Jimmy Scott,
Jacky Terrasson, John Hicks, Idris Muhammad, Onaje Allan Gumbs, Mino Cinelu, Anita Baker, Bebel
Giberto, Leon Parker, Bruce Cockburn, George Benson, Jeff 'Tain' Watts
and Eric Revis.In 2005 Grégoire toured the world as a member of the Pat Metheny Group. He also won the following
awards: "Player of the year of instrument rare in jazz" from the Jazz Journalist Association, the Critics
Poll in Downbeat Magazine "rising star miscellaneous instrument" and a Grammy as a member of the Pat Metheny
Group for "Best contemporary jazz album" with "The Way Up".Currently residing in New York, Grégoire can either be seen on the road, or performing and recording
with renowned jazz artists such as Cassandra Wilson, Charlie Hunter, Steve Coleman, Marcus Miller,
Me'Shell Ndegeocello, Terri Lyne Carrington, Ravi Coltrane and Pat Metheny.-----Federico Gonzalez Peña:
Federico was born February 5th 1966 in Montevideo, Uruguay. At about age 2
he started showing signs of having a connection to music and began playing various percussion
instruments shortly thereafter. After moving to Buenos Aires, Argentina, Federico took up the drums at
age 4. Even though percussion came naturally for him, he soon discovered the piano at his grandmother's
house--herself a very accomplished pianist and organist.It wasn't long before he took piano
lessons and began writing his first compositions; and after approximately 3 years of lessons and still showing a
real interest, Federico switched teachers and was accepted by world renowned Argentine concert
pianist Antonio de Raco (early teacher to Martha Argerich and a contemporary of Claudio Arrau). Having
studied intensely under de Raco's tutelage until the age of 17, Federico traveled to the US where he has
resided in Washington D.C. permanently since 1984.Federico's professional career began at age 15 while still in Argentina where he would take up session
work while hanging out at a well know downtown recording studio. In doing so, he was exposed to
various styles and levels of producers which gave him invaluable experience. As a result he was under
the watchful eye of some of Argentina's top session players and producers for the
next two and a half years.Once in the US and after attending the Berklee College of Music for 1 year the young keyboardist
returned to Washington and began playing with some of the area's top Go-Go bands (a music style
indigenous to the Washington D.C. area). It was during this 3 year stint that he met Me'shell N'DegeOcello
and the two began a long association (20 years) that saw many highlights along the way including
various albums, Grammy nominations and world tours.Federico has also worked with Maxwell, Angela Boffill, Pieces of a Dream, Digable Planets, Alana Davis,
George Howard, Roy Hargrove, Chaka Khan and many others.Currently , he is occupying the keyboard chair in Cassandra Wilson's touring group as well as traveling some with GAIA. Cassandra has been supportive of GAIA in providing the group with the opening slot at some of her shows. Gene and Gregoire are members of her band as well.-----Gene Lake:An all around drummer who cut his teeth on Midwestern funk and avant-garde jazz, Gene Lake embodies
the contradictions of modern music. His resume reflects his passion for the great funk icons of the
1970s and 1980s such as Parliament/Funkadelic and the Time, as well as his longstanding ties to the jazz
world.Gene Lake has been playing for many years with a stunningly diverse range of artists, from
R&B group Surface in the 1980s to the "new wave" of r&b acts such as Me'shell NdegeOcello, Maxwell,
and D'Angelo in the 1990s. From jazz innovators Steve Coleman and Henry Threadgill , to fusion legends
Joe Zawinul and Marcus Miller. With Jazz/Rap group Opus Akoben to acts that defy categorization, such
as the wildly original rock/funk/jazz fusion group Screaming Headless Torsos.The son of jazz saxophonist Oliver Lake, Gene was born in St. Louis, and lived there until 14, when he moved to New York city and
attended the High School of Music and Arts. Upon graduating he moved to Boston to attend Berklee College of Music.
Gene's early exposure to creative institutions as the Black Artists Group (BAG) in
St. Louis is reflected in his constant desire to seek out the musically innovative and adventurous, even as
he remains grounded in the basics of funk. Gene credits various drummers with influencing his
musical style, from Diamond (of the Ohio Players) to Omar Hakim (of Weather Report).
