Album Notes

GAHU Drum Ensemble: What happens when traditional West African grooves meet modern funk? You got the GAHU Drum Ensemble, whose unique blend of West & Central African, Haitian, Funk and groove began to shake up venues in Western New York.

Since its inception in the Summer of ’07, GAHU has developed into a festival/venue favorite, successfully weaving the searing melodic and harmonic vocals, combined with the thoughtful lead djembe rhythms and solid bottom-end rhythms into high-energy groove.

The ensemble has opened for National and Regional touring acts including John Waller (Reg Lenna Civic Center – Jamestown, NY), Smackdab (Crystal Ballroom – Jamestown, NY), 2007 Chautauqua County Music Awards (Crown Theatre – Jamestown, NY) and more.

The simplicity that runs through the ensembles upbeat, poly-rhythmic grooves is offset by melodic vocals & flute, which often takes the lead role, and the occasional funk-jam ambience of rhythm.

GAHU Drum Ensemble is founded by drummer/percussionist T.R. McKotch (Steve Johnson Band/Last Stop Willoughby). T.R. toured with the Steve Johnson Band from 2007-2009 and is currently playing drums/percussion for Last Stop Willoughby featuring Steve Gustafson and Jeff Erickson of the 10,000 Maniacs.