Taking their name from the word for heart/soul in the Afro Cuban
religion Santeria, OKAN co-leaders, composers and multi- instrumentalists Elizabeth Rodriguez and Magdelys Savigne enthusiastically embrace Cuban genres and musical roles that have historically been dominated by men and create a distinctive and personal world jazz fusion.

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. Both are also Grammy-nominees for their contributions to Jane Bunnett and Maqueque, of which they are former members.

Having recently worked with Bomba Estereo, Lido Pimienta and Bianca Gismonti, OKAN follows up on their Juno-nominated and Independent
Music Award-winning debut album Sombras, with their
JUNO Award-winning album Espiral, out on the Lulaworld Records label.

“OKAN‘s vocal- and percussion-driven tracks evoke their homeland yet also reflect the vibrant Cuban-Canadian community.”
NOW Magazine

“Espiral, the astonishing followup to their Juno-nominated 2019
debut, pushes Latin jazz into new and unexpected territories…
Espiral is lush and vibrant, urgent but specific and deeply intentional.
CBC Music

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