Tok Pan Tok was formed in 1993 to perform and research world and original music, with a focus on the traditions of countries where the pan flute is still a living force. With the passing away of Simon Nield in 2008, the group is in grieving, and will take a break from performing.
Over the years the group, led by Peter Keelan, has been joined by some wonderful musicians, including Subhan Hartree, Simon Nield, Paul Barrett, Dave Hyams Tim Chambers, Bob Thompson, Paul Tanner, Kerry Fletcher, Alain Thirion, Josh Hogan, Kelly Bennett, Sue Hall, Jem, Zebbity, Clayton Chipper, Chad Hedley, Andrew Mackay-Sim, Leigh Caddy, Jeya Ponnutharai, Russell Burrows.
Most recently they collaborated with the Narasirato Pan Pipers, from the Solomon Islands.
Some of the highlights of the groups activities include:-
- country tours in Western Australia including the Kimberley, South West and Pilbarra, working primarily with aboriginal youth
- tour to Darwin Fringe Festival and Kununurra
- live to air performance recorded with ABC Radio
- CD titled Ma Fren recorded and produced by the group
- performances at numerous community festivals and folk clubs
- involvement in the Festival of Perth project
- study exchange of six months by Peter Keelan to learn from Romanian nai (pan flute) with virtuoso Cornel Pana
- performances at Festival of Perth club
- workshops on pan pipe making and playing at over two hundred schools throughout Western Australia over seven years
- performances and workshops at Fairbridge and Nannup Folk Festivals
- scores for radio and film
- tour to Broome and West Kimberley aboriginal communities
- film documentary for SBS television on the work of Peter Keelan
- part of Brave New Works Festival in Denmark, including performances in Albany and Walpole
- performances at the Woodford Folk Festival(Queensland),Hills Folk Club, Kulcha, Fremantle Arts Centre, Notre Dame University, East Fremantle Festival, Subiace Theatre, Nannup Festival, Mandurah Foreshore Concerts, Rottnest Island Festival, Fairbridge Festival
- CD launch, Eyes of a Child at Kulcha (two sell out shows!)
- Feature album on The Planet, ABC Radio National.
- Southwest Tour (Pemberton, Denmark, Albany)
- Performances for City of Perth, City of Leederville, Fremantle Arts Centre
- Oz Concert at the Perth Entertainment Centre (8000 people)
- Collaboration with Indonesion percussion group Warogus at Kulcha
- Collaborative performances with the Narasirato Pan Pipers from the Solomon Islands at Fairbridge Festival and Brave New Works Festival
The group had the following recording credits:-
| Perth ABC Radio | Tok Pan Tok 1990 (live to air) |
| Ma Fren | Tok Pan Tok 1993 (original world music CD) |
| Eyes Of A Child | Tok Pan Tok 2001 (original world music CD)
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