From the Promoter

Dr. Draw is known as the first ever violinist to venture from rock and classical into electronic music culture. Whether opening for A-list acts like Cyndi Lauper or creating near chaos at the Toronto Beaches Jazz Festival or playing luxury brand events like Chloé and Dom Pérignon, Dr. Draw inspires kudos wherever he plays. Lately, his reputation is growing eastward. Performances have included playing in Singapore and a spate of Louis Vuitton events in Hong Kong, Malaysia, and South Korea.

During the World Expo in Shanghai, China in the summer of 2010, Eugene was asked to represent Canada. His performances wowed audiences there, and translated to a major success for Draw while furthering his exposure worldwide. Performing in such frenetic locales energizes the performer all over again allowing him to “creatively interact with cultures all across the world.” The result is a constantly evolving musical style that brings together the seemingly disparate elements of classical violin, jazz-rock fusion, folk and pop into a riveting masala that feeds the soul and invigorates audiences.

PROJECTS
After a recent return (winter 2012) from a very successful visit to South Asia, where he played in local clubs and theatre spaces, and also for terminally ill children and youth struggling with poverty and mental disorders; a new collective was born ‘Strange Parade.’ Titled after his upcoming album this energetic collective aims to travel to less fortunate communities, and perform to audiences that are deprived of full out entertainment. Based on the premise of transporting minds to magical universe this initiative has already began to help people deal with stress, and help in relieving individuals from symptoms of depression. The collective consists of a full Dr. Draw band, circus performers, dancers, and live painters.

Draw’s musical experience and cultural intrigue shine through in his pieces, especially in his recent album, Copper Moon. This album is exemplary of Dr. Draw’s talent and passion. Inspired by Beethoven and seemingly simplistic in composition, we can see that Dr. Draw’s sound is becoming increasingly experimental and refined.

ORIGINS

When Dr. 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 Dr. 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?

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 practiced 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 favor 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 is currently based out of Toronto but calls Montreal his second home.