OKAN (duo)

OKAN is an Afro-Cuban duo comprising Elizabeth Rodriguez and Magdelys Savigne, two accomplished musicians who met in Havana and reconnected in Toronto. Both are classically trained violinists who performed with Cuba's Síntesis and the all-female Camerata Romeu orchestra. Their duo format blends traditional Afro-Cuban folkloric rhythms with jazz, electronica, and global influences, creating a contemporary sound rooted in their heritage. Their 2019 album 'Sombras' won the JUNO Award for World Music Album of the Year, and their 2022 album 'Espiral' earned another JUNO nomination. They've performed at major festivals including the Montreal International Jazz Festival and WOMEX. The duo's music celebrates Afro-Cuban traditions including rumba, son, and batá drumming while incorporating violin, viola, marímbula, cajon, and vocals. OKAN means 'heart' in Santería's Lucumí language, reflecting their mission to share Cuban culture through innovative, boundary-pushing music. They're now based in Toronto and are prominent voices in Canada's world music community.

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