This page is also available in / Cette page est également disponible en:
Francais (French)
Montreal, January 10th, 2022 – On the heels of a highly entertaining and moving autumnal concert, Oktoécho presents their album Transcestral, a hymn to celebrate life. Starting January 21st, the public is invited to discover the music across digital platforms and on Oktoécho’s official website.
An original creation of the Oktoécho ensemble, Transcestral brings together artists, singers, and poets from different backgrounds: six Indigenous (Ojibwe, Innu, Métis, Inuit, Nakoda, Dene) and Sufi communities. Known for their unique musical contributions, rich in poetic lyricism and inspired by their ancestral lineages, Innu poet Josephine Bacon, Sufi singer Anouar Barrada, Métis singer Moe Clark, Inuit throat singer Nina Segalowitz and pow-wow singers Buffalo Hat Singers (Norman Achneepineskum) and Eya-Hey Nakoda (Anders Hunter) create a striking blend of musical counterpoint under the artistic direction of Katia Makdissi-Warren.
“Transcestral took its first steps 10 years ago, born of the passion I have for Arabic, Indigenous, classical, contemporary and jazz music. My love of these different cultures has made me meet unique people and artists who, throughout this project, have helped me live a shared human experience overflowing with beauty”, says Mrs. Katia Makdissi-Warren.
Transmission, ancestral memories, trance, the state between trance and consciousness…this work highlights the perpetual quest for harmony between man and nature, drawing inspiration from sacred music and dances from Sufi and Indigenous traditions from across Turtle Island (Canada).
Though the compositions included in this album may sometimes highlight Sufi singing and at other times pow-wow singing, each song expresses the spirit of gathering. The music is not sacred, though it is inspired by ceremonial music. Earth, Healing and Homage are some of the common themes at the heart of this album.
About Oktoécho
Oktoécho’s core mandate is to promote the creation and performance of blended musical works by local composers through the production of concerts, events, sound recordings and touring. In addition, the Oktoécho group offers specialized programs in world music (Middle Eastern, Indigenous, Jewish) to teach professional musicians and composers.
This page is also available in / Cette page est également disponible en:
Francais (French)
