The Okavango African Orchestra with Special Guests

The Okavango African Orchestra is an ambitious musical ensemble created by Batuki Music Society, Artistic Director Nadine McNulty and African-born musicians Daniel Nebiat (krar, composer, vocals), Kofi Ackah (drums, samples, composer, vocals), Tichaona Maredza (mbira, guitar, composer, vocals), Sadio Sissokho (kora, tama, djembe, composer, vocals), Ebenezer Agyekum (bass guitar, composer, vocals), Assane Seck (guitar, composer, vocals), Aron Nitunga (guitar, composer, vocals) and Mabinty Sylla (dance, back vocals).

The orchestra takes its name from the Okavango Delta, a basin in the Kalahari Desert in Botswana, where many different animal species come together to feed and find water. Predators and prey are forced to coexist and share the meager resources because of the harsh environment around them. Similarly, Okavango African Orchestra brings together the traditional music and instruments of several major African cultures that historically have had little or no interaction. The musicians of Okavango have created a common meeting place for these disparate cultures, and a new musical language that harmonizes their different tuning systems, rhythms and timbres. The musicians and instruments of Okavango represent a continuum of traditions and cultures from time immemorial to the present day. The multicultural spirit of modern-day Canada bridges ancient African solitudes.

They have performed at Koerner Hall, the National Arts Centre, Alliance Francaise, Beanfield Centre, Harbourfront Centre, Kingston City Hall, the Isabel Bader Performing Arts Centre, the Toronto Jazz Festival, the City of Toronto and many more.

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Lorraine Klaasen, the daughter of the legendary South African Jazz singer Thandie Klaasen, is one of the few South African artists who have preserved the classic sound of “Township Music,” which remains the most distinctive sound to emerge from South Africa. Born and raised in Soweto, Klaasen has electrified audiences worldwide with her dynamic stage presence and showmanship. She is influenced by South Africa’s musical giants of the 1950s and 1960s, such as Miriam Makeba as well as Dolly Rathebe, Dorothy Masuka, Sophie Mgcina and Busi Mhlongo, who frequented her mother’s home. In February 2008, Klaasen released the highly charged album Africa Calling on the Justin Time label. Her album, A Tribute to Miriam Makeba, won the 2013 JUNO Award for World Music Album of the Year, a tribute to the legendary songstress, who remains the most important female vocalist to emerge from South Africa.

Lorraine’s latest album, Nouvelle Journée, showcases some of the musical styles that Lorraine has not yet recorded in her extensive musical career. On this album, she sings in the Tsonga, Sotho, isiZulu and Xhosa languages of South Africa, as well as English and French. The repertoire is thought-provoking – the importance of family, empathy, love and hope.

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Pape Ndiaye is an exceptional tama (talking drum) player, one of the emblematic instruments of Senegalese traditional and modern music. He was a percussionist for the Orchestre National de Senegal, one of the most prestigious orchestras attached to the Ministry of Culture. He is a regular performer with Zale Seck, a prominent figure of Senegalese music based in Montreal.

Griot Kaabi Kouyaté enriches his repertoire by merging traditional Mandingo sounds with modern influences, developing a unique and deeply personal approach. He is the son of the legendary Sory Kandia Kouyaté, known for his powerful voice and nicknamed “the voice of Africa.” his music mixed tradition with jazz before the worldwide boom in African music.

Dally Dominic is a talented bassist, producer and songwriter in demand due to his ability to perform a wide range of traditional and contemporary music genres. He has performed with Ebo Taylor, Jewel Ackah, Pat Thomas, Kojo Antwi, Tracy Kay, Fethi Nadjem, Mis Blandine, Lorraine Klaasen and Ricardo Lemvo, to name a few.