Oran Etkin

Oran Etkin has been described as “ebullient” by The New York Times, and has been voted #1 Rising Star clarinetist in DownBeat Magazine’s Critic’s Poll. His Open Arms project has paired the Grammy Award winning multi-instrumentalist with international superstars in Africa, Europe and South America. Our Winter Series set will pay tribute to album Open Arms dropping on January 12, 2024. The project stems from Oran’s reimagining of how touring itself can become an integral part of the creation of new music. “It’s an attitude,” he reflects. “It’s felt in the warmth with which I was greeted in each country and how we welcomed each other into our musical worlds. It is at the core of how we approach making new music together with open ears, unafraid to discover a new side of ourselves outside our comfort zone.” Creating connection is at the core of the musical endeavor, which flips the script on the tape-then-tour model. During time off, Oran created new music with traditional mbira musicians in Zimbabwe, Roma musicians in Czech Republic, legendary songwriters in Rio de Janeiro and innovative composers in São Paulo. After returning home, his band deconstructs and recomposes fresh music based on the melodies, rhythms and motifs that he recorded around the world. Incorporating electronics derived from stems of the original recordings, the live show tells a story of an opening and connected world, rooted in its traditions, yet forging a fresh path forward.