| Oran Etkin | |
|---|---|
| Born | (1979-05-18)May 18, 1979 Israel |
| Genres | Jazz, folk, world music, children's music |
| Occupation | Musician |
| Instrument(s) | Clarinet, saxophone |
| Years active | 2008–present |
| Labels | Motéma |
| Website | oranetkin |
Oran Etkin is a jazz and world music musician.
Biography
A native of Israel, after his family moved to Boston he took piano lessons when he was five years old. At fourteen he studied clarinet with Yusef Lateef and George Garzone. He attended Brandeis University and concentrated on economics and classical clarinet. He received a master's degree in jazz from the Manhattan School of Music. He plays alto clarinet, bass clarinet, and tenor saxophone.
After leaving the Manhattan School of Music, he was hired as a teacher in New York City. Inspired by that experience, Etkin invented a teaching method called Timbalooloo to teach music to children as young as three years old.
In 1998, Etkin took an African dance class in Boston that was taught by Joh Camara, a percussionist from Mali. He joined his teacher's band, which included Camara's uncle, Balla Tounkara, a kora player. Visits to Mali increased his interest in the music.
His debut album, Kelenia (Motema, 2009), combined jazz with the Malian music and was recorded with three musicians from Mali: Abdoulaye Diabaté, Makane Kouyate, and Balla Kouyate (on balafon) The album includes an African version of "It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing)". Other musicians on the album include Camara (on talking drum), violinist Sara Caswell, and guitarist Lionel Loueke.
Awards and honors
Etkin recorded a song for the children's album Healthy Food for Thought. The album received a Grammy Award nomination and a nomination at the Independent Music Awards.
Discography
As leader
- Kelenia (Motéma, 2009)
- Gathering Light (Motema, 2014)
- What's New? (Motema, 2015)
As guest
- Wake Up Clarinet! (Motéma, 2010)
References
- ^ Hendrickson, Tad (1 July 2011). "Sounds of the City preview: Oran Etkin adapts clarinet and sax to Malian traditions". NJ.com. Retrieved 11 December 2018.
- ^ Nastos, Michael G. "Kelenia". AllMusic. Retrieved 11 December 2018.
- Mergner, Lee (19 November 2018). "Oran Etkin: Music as Child's Play". JazzTimes. Retrieved 11 December 2018.
- Chinen, Nate (4 June 2009). "New Music From Oumou Sangare, Franz Ferdinand, Steve Lehman, Oran Etkin and Sunn O)))". The New York Times. Retrieved 11 December 2018.
- "Oran Etkin". Independent Music Awards. Retrieved 11 December 2018.
- "Oran Etkin | Album Discography". AllMusic. Retrieved 11 December 2018.