Folk Alliance Band of the Day: OKAN
OKAN. // photo courtesy the artist
The Folk Alliance International Conference, presented by Folk Alliance International, has its 2024 iteration this February 21-25 at the Westin Crown Center Hotel. With well over 100 artists performing over the course of five days, “crossing a diverse array of genres including Appalachian, Americana, Blues, Bluegrass, Celtic, Cajun, Global Roots, Hip-Hop, Old-Time, Singer-Songwriter, Spoken Word, Traditional, Zydeco, and various fusions,” it can be intimidating to figure out where to start.
We’ve selected a few artists for whom we think you should make time to see, and we’ll be featuring one a day leading up until the conference kicks off on Wednesday, February 21.
Cuban Canadian musicians Elizabeth Rodriguez and Magdelys Savigne are the heart of OKAN, a Juno-awarding winning group whose 2023 album, Okantomi, is sure to get your body moving. As the artists themselves put it, their “vocal- and percussion-driven tracks evoke their homeland yet also reflect the vibrant Cuban-Canadian community.” Violinust Rodriguez and percussionist Savigne craft songs which evoke a deep knowledge of their heritage, while also staying rooted in the world around them. Their official showcase is in the big ballroom of Century A, which is a very good thing, as you’re gonna need room to dance.
“Fusing Afro-Cuban roots with jazz, folk and global rhythms in songs about immigration, resistance and love, OKAN takes their name from the word for heart in their Afro-Cuban religion of Santeria. With vocals in Spanish, English and Spanglish, OKAN is led by the Cuban-born violinist and vocalist Elizabeth Rodriguez and percussionist and vocalist Magdelys Savigne, both Grammy and Latin-Grammy nominees.”
OKAN plays Saturday, February 24, at 6:15pm in Century A.
New this year to the conference is that the public can get tickets to the official showcases. You don’t have to register for the conference to go for just one night. Individual evening tickets available here.
You can find out more information on the 2023 Folk Alliance International Conference at Folk Alliance International’s website.
