Location: The Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center, Kogod Theatre
Juno Award-winning Afro-Cuban group Okan, led by singer-songwriters Elizabeth Rodriguez on violin and Magdelys Savigne on percussion, make joyous music that doesn't fit comfortably into any single genre. Their raucous drums, catchy hooks and Spanish language lyrics suggest they might best be stashed alongside their regular collaborators Bomba Estereo or Lido Pimienta as "alterlatino," but their lavishly produced scores and inclination toward high-flying improvisation evoke jazz fusion. The Toronto-based combo's latest album, 2023's Okantomi, named among the Best Music of 2023 by NPR's Alt Latino, showcases their powerful harmonies, elevated musicianship, provocatively playful themes and wide-ranging tastes across songs as diverse as the folk ballad “A Solas Contigo,” the driving tropical pop of “Oriki Oshun,” and the wavy funk of the title track. Passionate advocates for freedom of expression, LGBTQIA+ rights and gender equality, Okan has also gained a reputation for making lifetime fans at their electrifying live performances.
Presented by Clarice Presents. This performance is supported in part by the Maryland State Arts Council and The Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation.