A luminous combination of Afro-Cuban rhythms, jazz, folk and world music, with a classical touch, Okan’s style draws its strength from Magdelys Savigne’s undulating percussion and Elizabeth Rodriguez’s pure voice, supported by her violin.

Based in Toronto, both musicians of Okan have strong classical training acquired in Cuba. Violinist Elizabeth Rodriguez has performed with the Havana Youth Orchestra, while percussionist Magdelys Savigne left her hometown of Santiago to earn honors in orchestral percussion at the University of the Arts in Havana. 

OKAN means “soul” or “heart” in Yoruba (the language used in Cuban Santeria). The heart of their music is necessarily Cuban, with a strong classical and jazz influence due to their training with Jane Bunnett. Thanks to their musical collaborations in the very multicultural Canadian metropolis, the two musicians have enriched their compositions with influences from Brazil, Spain, New Orleans and even Turkey. But the heart remains Afro-Cuban, with a strong presence of batá drums, which Magdelys is particularly fond of. 

In 2020 the two artists released their second album, Espiral, which won the Juno for World Music Album 2021.  They will present it on stage at the 36th edition of the festival this summer.