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As a Windowsmedia.com Emerging Artist, Oran joins the ranks of such up and coming performers as American Idol’s Kris Allen and Adam Lambert and America’s Got Talent winner Neal E. Boyd.
The music that Oran Etkin creates with his Group Kelenia is an aural reflection of the new global landscape, painted by a young clarinetist and saxophonist born in a small town in Israel, now living in New York and leading a band comprised of Malian and American musicians. Oran’s distinctive sound is honest and unforced, infused with the constant presence of ancient influences – reverberations from the Malian Empire and the ages-old cry of the Jewish prayer. At the same time it resonates with an urban vibe and the energy of the modern New York jazz scene.
Kelenia is Oran’s debut recording for Motema Music as well as the name of his working band, comprised of Balla Kouyate on balafon, Makane Kouyate on calabash and vocals and bassist Joe Sanders. The CD also features guest appearances by vocalist Abdoulaye Diabate, percussionist Mohamed ‘Joh’ Sidi Camara, a string section on one track, and Grammy™ Award winning artists Lionel Loueke and John Benitez. The resulting collection of eleven tracks pays true testament to the essence of “kelenia," which is the Bambara word for love between people who are different from each other.
Oran’s next shows are at July 4 at the Brooklyn Museum (with the Mandingo Ambassadors,) on July 10 at Barbes in Brooklyn, where he has a monthly residency, performing in duos or trios with different West African Musicians, and July 11 at Union Pool, also in Brooklyn.
To hear the music that the All Music Guide said “sets a new standard for world music in the decade of the 2000’s,” visit www.motema.com/artist/oranetkin, or www.oranetkin.com. For additional information, or a review copy of Kelenia, contact [email protected]
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