Oran Etkin's Kelenia October 14, 2010

Born in a small town in Israel, clarinetist and saxophonist Oran Etkin fuses elements of modern jazz with traditional African and Jewish music. Audiences will be mesmerized by the cross-cultural virtuosity of Etkin and Malian collaborators Balla Kouyate on balafon (an African xylophone) and Makane Kouyate on calabash and vocals, with whom he has played as Kelenia since 2003. Their music speaks from the heart as it explores uncharted musical territory, creating a new global soundscape. Rooted in jazz, but shaped by many musical worlds (including African, Jewish, Haitian, and New Orleans), this is a thrilling sound experience not to be missed.