Raphael & Shakya

After his baccalaureat (A-level) he studied music at the University of Rennes Haute-Bretagne (France) from 1993-1996 and obtained a DEUG (Diplome d'Études Universitaires Générales), a University Diploma in Music. He learned the celtic harp with Anne-Marie Jan. At the same time his style opened from the pure Irish traditional music to many different styles: jazz, world-music and improvised music in general. He learned jazz-piano and harmony, played in Brazilian Batucada (percussion ensemble), attented some workshops with Shyamal Maitra (Indian percussion master) and several other masters, learned Jazz-improvisation with the Andy Emler Megaoctet. He studied by himself Balkan and oriental rhythms which he incorporated in his compositions, mixing uncommon asymetric rhythms with celtic melodies and French songs
Multi-instrumentalist Shakya Matthias Grahe grew up in a family of classical musicians with his main instruments being violoncello and piano. During his odyssey through studies of mechanical engineering, business administration and working as business consultant, the deep longing for music and free expression kept knocking on his door. It lead him to the exploration of pop and rock, jazz, latin, meditative and freely improvised music with guitar, voice, dilruba and percussion. He appeared as guest musician on many new age CDs.
Shakya lives now in a spiritual commune in Bonn. He plays regularily in different ensembles and offers events for dance, healing and meditation. In 2011 he opened a recording studio with his musical friend Raphaël.
Discography
As in a nomadic journey, Raphael & Shakya's talent has been influenced by a rich array of musical cultures. In this poetic and heartfelt release they achieved a masterful balance, seamlessly weaving together Eastern and new age music, classical, Celtic and jazz.
Harp, cello, flute, strings and ethnic percussions shine together like different facets of a jewel while the presence of Jai Uttal on dotar and Praful on soprano sax highlight its luminescence.
The music has a spacious, warm and gentle pace, making it ideal for unwinding and relaxed listening as well as massage and healing practices or whenever one wants to create a serene yet deep environment.
Malimba Records consistently delivers some of the most soothing, pleasing-to-the-ear instrumental music in the New Age genre, and Nomadic Love is yet another stunning recording.... the music on Nomadic Love fuses elements of jazz, world (both Celtic and Eastern), and New Age, weaving those styles into a multi-hued tapestry of relaxing melodies and gentle, unforced rhythms.
- Bill Binkelman, Retailing Insight