Biography

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 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.

Okavango African Orchestra revisited the site of its triumphant debut, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation to record the group’s debut, self-titled album of ten songs, released in February 2016, which was awarded the 2017 JUNO for World Music Album of the Year. The group released their second album, “Africa Without Borders”, in February 2020. The album was nominated for a 2020 JUNO Award for World Music Album of the Year and the 2021 Canadian Folk Music Award. Their new album Migration was released on November 1, 2023.

Migration: Our music is not static, it’s constantly evolving, and like the animals in the Okavango delta that migrate to greener pasture, the music of Okavango endeavours to reach new territory of migration and exploration. We are not just playing music, we are introducing new concepts and ways of working together. 

Okavango African Orchestra has performed for presenters and festivals including Glenn Gould Studio, Koerner Hall, Alliance Francaise, Beanfield Centre, Harbourfront Centre, River Run Centre, Kingston City Hall, Lincoln Alexander Centre, Isabel Bader Performing Arts Centre, Alliance Francaise, Toronto Jazz Festival, Francophonie-en-Fete, Canada Day, Afrofest, Hot & Spicy Festival, City of Toronto, Cultura360, Sunfest, Randolph Performing Arts Theatre, Markham Flato Theatre, Aga Khan Museum, David Pecaut Square, Mel Lastman Square, Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts, Sherbrooke World Music Festival and more.