SEP 5-8 | 2024-25 Season Opening Week
Sep 05 - Sep 08, 2024
Joe Henderson Lab
PLEASE NOTE:
This page is an archive of a past production
Please visit our calendar for all upcoming SFJAZZ shows.
Original show description below.
Please note: Dance floor is General Admission standing room only. If you would prefer seats, please select a different level for this show
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. They are joined by pianist Camila Cortina, bassist Gerson Lazo-Quiroga and drummer Yandy Garcí.
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.
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 and classical forms.
OKAN craft jazzy, heady grooves informed by Afro-Cuban culture and a world of sound.
Chicago Reader
OKAN craft jazzy, heady grooves informed by Afro-Cuban culture and a world of sound.
Chicago Reader
Personnel
Elizabeth Rodriguez violin, vocals
Magdelys Savigne percussion, vocals
Camila Cortina piano
Gerson Lazo-Quiroga bass
Yandy Garcí drums
Their unpredictable tunes flow seamlessly from traditional Cuban beats to jazz to New Orleans-infused grooves to influences from more distant lands
Chicago Reader on OKAN
Personnel
Elizabeth Rodriguez violin, vocals
Magdelys Savigne percussion, vocals
Camila Cortina piano
Gerson Lazo-Quiroga bass
Yandy Garcí drums
Their unpredictable tunes flow seamlessly from traditional Cuban beats to jazz to New Orleans-infused grooves to influences from more distant lands
Chicago Reader on OKAN
Watch & Listen
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La Reina Del Norte
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