Taking its name from the word for heart or soul in the Afro-Cuban religion of Santeria, OKAN fuses Afro-Cuban and other global rhythms with jazz, folk, electronic pop, and classical forms.
Embracing genres and roles that have historically been dominated by men, co-leaders, composers, and multi-instrumentalists Elizabeth Rodriguez and Magdelys Savigne bring a fresh perspective to Latin and world jazz fusion through their powerful vocals, inspired musicianship, and potent lyrical content.
Born in Havana, Elizabeth Rodriguez is a classically trained violinist who served as concertmaster for Havana's Youth Orchestra. Magdelys Savigne hails from Santiago de Cuba and graduated with honors in orchestral percussion from Havana's University of the Arts. Both are JUNO-nominees for their work with Battle of Santiago and are GRAMMY nominees and JUNO winners for their contributions to saxophonist and composer Jane Bunnett's pioneering ensemble Maqueque.
Living and collaborating in the intensely multicultural city of Toronto has enriched OKAN's compositions with influences from Brazil, Spain and New Orleans -- inspirations that are readily apparent on their debut EP Laberinto, on their 2019 full-length Lulaworld Records debut Sombras and 2020 follow-up Espiral, and most clearly on their newest release, Okantomi. With every unforgettable performance, OKAN speaks powerful truths with hope and passion.
~~~~~~~~~
Take a classically trained percussionist from Santiago de Cuba, add a one-time concertmaster from Havana's Youth Orchestra, and stir in the sounds of Caribbean folkloric and dance music in the context of Toronto's vibrant immigrant music community, and the unforgettable new sound of OKAN is born. Named for the word for "heart" in the Afro-Cuban religious practice of Santeria, this Juno Award-winning ensemble is led by vocalist and violinist Elizabeth Rodriguez and percussionist Magdelys Savigne. OKAN fuses its Afro-Cuban roots with American jazz, Dominican merengue, Brazilian samba, and folk music from across the globe in songs about immigration, courage, and love. "OKAN crafts jazzy, heady grooves informed by Afro-Cuban culture and a world of sound" (Chicago Reader)
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Embracing genres and roles that have historically been dominated by men, co-leaders, composers, and multi-instrumentalists Elizabeth Rodriguez and Magdelys Savigne bring a fresh perspective to Latin and world jazz fusion through their powerful vocals, inspired musicianship, and potent lyrical content.
Born in Havana, Elizabeth Rodriguez is a classically trained violinist who served as concertmaster for Havana's Youth Orchestra. Magdelys Savigne hails from Santiago de Cuba and graduated with honors in orchestral percussion from Havana's University of the Arts. Both are JUNO-nominees for their work with Battle of Santiago and are GRAMMY nominees and JUNO winners for their contributions to saxophonist and composer Jane Bunnett's pioneering ensemble Maqueque.
Living and collaborating in the intensely multicultural city of Toronto has enriched OKAN's compositions with influences from Brazil, Spain and New Orleans -- inspirations that are readily apparent on their debut EP Laberinto, on their 2019 full-length Lulaworld Records debut Sombras and 2020 follow-up Espiral, and most clearly on their newest release, Okantomi. With every unforgettable performance, OKAN speaks powerful truths with hope and passion.
~~~~~~~~~
Take a classically trained percussionist from Santiago de Cuba, add a one-time concertmaster from Havana's Youth Orchestra, and stir in the sounds of Caribbean folkloric and dance music in the context of Toronto's vibrant immigrant music community, and the unforgettable new sound of OKAN is born. Named for the word for "heart" in the Afro-Cuban religious practice of Santeria, this Juno Award-winning ensemble is led by vocalist and violinist Elizabeth Rodriguez and percussionist Magdelys Savigne. OKAN fuses its Afro-Cuban roots with American jazz, Dominican merengue, Brazilian samba, and folk music from across the globe in songs about immigration, courage, and love. "OKAN crafts jazzy, heady grooves informed by Afro-Cuban culture and a world of sound" (Chicago Reader)
Taking its name from the word for heart or soul in the Afro-Cuban religion of Santeria, OKAN fuses Afro-Cuban and other global rhythms with jazz, folk, electronic pop, and classical forms.
Embracing genres and roles that have historically been dominated by men, co-leaders, composers, and multi-instrumentalists Elizabeth Rodriguez and Magdelys Savigne bring a fresh perspective to Latin and world jazz fusion through their powerful vocals, inspired musicianship, and potent lyrical content.
Born in Havana, Elizabeth Rodriguez is a classically trained violinist who served as concertmaster for Havana's Youth Orchestra. Magdelys Savigne hails from Santiago de Cuba and graduated with honors in orchestral percussion from Havana's University of the Arts. Both are JUNO-nominees for their work with Battle of Santiago and are GRAMMY nominees and JUNO winners for their contributions to saxophonist and composer Jane Bunnett's pioneering ensemble Maqueque.
Living and collaborating in the intensely multicultural city of Toronto has enriched OKAN's compositions with influences from Brazil, Spain and New Orleans -- inspirations that are readily apparent on their debut EP Laberinto, on their 2019 full-length Lulaworld Records debut Sombras and 2020 follow-up Espiral, and most clearly on their newest release, Okantomi. With every unforgettable performance, OKAN speaks powerful truths with hope and passion.
~~~~~~~~~
Take a classically trained percussionist from Santiago de Cuba, add a one-time concertmaster from Havana's Youth Orchestra, and stir in the sounds of Caribbean folkloric and dance music in the context of Toronto's vibrant immigrant music community, and the unforgettable new sound of OKAN is born. Named for the word for "heart" in the Afro-Cuban religious practice of Santeria, this Juno Award-winning ensemble is led by vocalist and violinist Elizabeth Rodriguez and percussionist Magdelys Savigne. OKAN fuses its Afro-Cuban roots with American jazz, Dominican merengue, Brazilian samba, and folk music from across the globe in songs about immigration, courage, and love. "OKAN crafts jazzy, heady grooves informed by Afro-Cuban culture and a world of sound" (Chicago Reader)
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Embracing genres and roles that have historically been dominated by men, co-leaders, composers, and multi-instrumentalists Elizabeth Rodriguez and Magdelys Savigne bring a fresh perspective to Latin and world jazz fusion through their powerful vocals, inspired musicianship, and potent lyrical content.
Born in Havana, Elizabeth Rodriguez is a classically trained violinist who served as concertmaster for Havana's Youth Orchestra. Magdelys Savigne hails from Santiago de Cuba and graduated with honors in orchestral percussion from Havana's University of the Arts. Both are JUNO-nominees for their work with Battle of Santiago and are GRAMMY nominees and JUNO winners for their contributions to saxophonist and composer Jane Bunnett's pioneering ensemble Maqueque.
Living and collaborating in the intensely multicultural city of Toronto has enriched OKAN's compositions with influences from Brazil, Spain and New Orleans -- inspirations that are readily apparent on their debut EP Laberinto, on their 2019 full-length Lulaworld Records debut Sombras and 2020 follow-up Espiral, and most clearly on their newest release, Okantomi. With every unforgettable performance, OKAN speaks powerful truths with hope and passion.
~~~~~~~~~
Take a classically trained percussionist from Santiago de Cuba, add a one-time concertmaster from Havana's Youth Orchestra, and stir in the sounds of Caribbean folkloric and dance music in the context of Toronto's vibrant immigrant music community, and the unforgettable new sound of OKAN is born. Named for the word for "heart" in the Afro-Cuban religious practice of Santeria, this Juno Award-winning ensemble is led by vocalist and violinist Elizabeth Rodriguez and percussionist Magdelys Savigne. OKAN fuses its Afro-Cuban roots with American jazz, Dominican merengue, Brazilian samba, and folk music from across the globe in songs about immigration, courage, and love. "OKAN crafts jazzy, heady grooves informed by Afro-Cuban culture and a world of sound" (Chicago Reader)
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