O Canada

Tuesday night, I was at a packed Lula Lounge for Okan's album release. For the occasion, NYC-based pianist Dayramir Gonzalez played the opening set. Being the first Cuban artist to go to Berklee on a full scholarship, his talent was readily on displayed. His sunny disposition charmed the crowd as he explained the many Cuban musical influences on his playing. It was quite interesting when he talked about turning an 8-beat Afro-Cuban rhythm into a "jazzier" 7-beat line before a song. The only drawback to his exciting set was the muddy mix of percussion (congas and drums) due to the under-powered sound system at this venue. Gonzalez was joined on-stage for the last two numbers by the women of Okan: a complex take on the Cuban classic El Manisero (Peanut Vendor song), and a propulsive composition called Moving Forward that was the best song of the set. Many tonight probably hoped that his first time in Canada will result in more visits.

Okan started their set at the back of the venue. As they made their way forward, they pounded hollow percussive poles into the floor while singing. The band on-stage launched into a bright, complex number that got people out of their chairs. Then Elizabeth Rodriguez (violin) and Magdelys Savigne (percussion) called on the ancestors on the title track Sombras for guidance and protection. Though the Afro-Cuban roots as well as their classical music training were strong throughout their set, living in Canada has brought other influences. Quick Stop, a composition by Savigne that provided quite a work-out for Rodriguez, brought in Balkan and fiddle flavour. Their set was the best sort of "world music": full of vitality, organic, and authentic.