Born in Havana, Cuba, 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 honours in orchestral percussion from Havana’s University of the Arts.

Called “lush and vibrant, urgent but specific, and deeply intentional” by CBC Music, OKAN’s second album Espiral delves deeper into the group’s rich Cuban roots, finding renewed inspiration in this powerful musical heritage. The Santeria influences are most evident in the title track, which uniquely blends guajira, the folk genre of Eastern Cuba, with Santeria-derived chants.

Official showcases at SXSW Folk Alliance International, Mundial Montreal, Contact East, Folk Music Ontario, Pacific Contact, Ontario Contact, and Global Toronto have led to invitations to perform across Canada and the United States. with stops at The Kortright Centre in Vancouver, The Grand in Calgary, Hermann’s in Victoria, Passim in Boston, Old Town School of Folk in Chicago, Cal Performances in Berkeley, as well at the Blue Skies, Mariposa, Toronto Jazz, Exit Next, Nuit D’Afrique, Harrison, and Middlebury festivals, to name just a few.

Join OKAN and Symphony Nova Scotia for a stunning night of music!