Oktoécho’s Transcestral
launch concert live!

A Journey to the edge of common memory, Saturday, November 27 at Théâtre Outremont

Presented by Traquen’Art and Théâtre Outremont

Revised November 17, 2021

Presented as part of the World Music and Traditions Series, Traquen’Art and the Outremont Theater are proud to present Oktoécho in a pre-launch concert of their 5th album, Trancestral, on Saturday, November 27 at 8 pm, at Théâtre Outremont.

Transcestral weaves together the sacred ancestral traditions of Sufi trance music and indigenous music from Canada.

An original creation of the Oktoécho ensemble, the event brings together 17 artists, singers, dancers, and poets from different backgrounds: six indigenous and Sufi communities are represented as well as musicians from jazz, classical and contemporary music.

Transcestral weaves together the sacred ancestral traditions of Sufi trance music and indigenous music from Canada. It is a true hymn to life, highlighting our perpetual quest for harmony and communion with nature.

Click here to reserve your tickets
or call 514 495-9944

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 powwow singers Buffalo Hat Singers (Norman Achneepineskum), along with Yoreme Indigenous dancer Sam Ojeda, and 10-year-old whirling dervish, Adam Barrada, create a striking blend of musical counterpoint under the artistic direction of Katia Makdissi-Warren.

“Although our music is not sacred, it is inspired by ceremonial music. The commonalities such as Earth, Healing, Tribute are at the heart of Transcestral,” Makdissi-Warren and Clark explain.

‘A striking blend of musical counterpoint under the artistic direction of Katia Makdissi-Warren.’

The purpose of this music is to highlight the state of trance, more particularly, the state between trance and awakening. Within the Indigenous and Sufi cultures, there is a word for this state of ecstasy that lies between the state of consciousness and trance. Among the Sufis, it is called the Tarab. In the Anishinaabemowin language, it is called NÎWÔNÎSHÀN BUNN-GEE ET-WAWA NAEN DA-MÀN.

About Oktoécho

Oktoécho is an award-nominated ensemble. Nominations include the Canadian Folk Music Award 2009 (Best Album of world music, Band of the Year, Best Instrumental Album of the Year); OPUS Awards Record of the Year Jazz and World Music (2009, 2010, 2012). Founded in 2001 and based in Montreal, Oktoécho is an ensemble of variable geometry (from 3 to 30 musicians) specializing in the blending of Middle Eastern and Western music, under the artistic direction of composer Katia Makdissi-Warren.

‘Oktoécho is an award-nominated ensemble of variable geometry – from 3 to 30 musicians – specializing in the fusion of Middle Eastern and Western music.’

Oktoécho has toured in Spain and in Canada and has recently performed at the prestigious Beiteddin Festival in Lebanon, and at other numerous venues : Festival du Monde Arabe de Montréal, Festival Présence Autochtone, Festival Séfarade de Montréal, l’Off-Festival de Jazz de Montréal, Palais Montcalm de Québec, and Koerner Hall in Toronto.

In residence at the Maison de la Culture Ahuntsic since 2010, Oktoécho creates original Quebec works while exploring an aesthetic that embodies a world where the fusion of different traditions transcends borders.

Oktoécho has recorded soundtracks for film and exhibitions in Canada, France, Singapore, Korea, Lebanon and created the soundtrack for a permanent multi-media exhibit at the Burj-Dubaï Tower in Dubai, the highest structure in the world.

​’Oktoécho creates original works while exploring an aesthetic that embodies a world where the fusion of different traditions transcends borders.’

The ensemble collaborates with renowned international artists such as Naseer Shamma (Egypt), Marcel Khalifé et Charbel Rouhana (Lebanon), Rachid Zeroual (Maroc), Farida (Irak), Peter Herbert (Austria), Lena Chamamyian (Syria) et Sergio Puccini (Argentina) et collaborates also with chamber orchestra such as I Musici de Montréal.

Trancestral, Oktoécho’s 5th album

Oktoécho’s four CDs already out include Zeugma, Eponyme, The 5th Blue Route, and Burj Khalifa’s music. The CDs are regularly broadcast on CBC Radio and Espace Musique.

The group’s next album, Transcestral, will be launched in January 2022. In the meantime, here are 3 tracks from the album to discover on digital platforms.

TRACK 1
niki pawâtin (I had a dream)

Performed by Métis singer Moe Clark in the Plains Cree language. Composed by Moe Clark, Cheryl l’Hirondelle, Joseph Naytowhow. Arrangement: Katia Makdissi-Warren.

TRACK 2
Ode à la terre

The singer Anouar Barrada and the Buffalo Hat Singers unite through melodies inspired by the traditions of both cultures (Sufi and Powow singing and drumming). Composed by Katia Makdissi-Warren (Lebanon/Quebec), Norman Achneepineskum (Ojibwe).

TRACK 3
Nomadic Hunter

Music in the style of singing and pow-wow drums performed by the Buffalo Hat Singers revisited in orchestration and rhythmic of the United Arab Emirates. Composed by Norman Achneepineskum (Ojibwe) and Katia Makdissi-Warren (Lebanon/Quebec).

Awards and nominations

• 24th PRIX OPUS : NOMINATION – Creation of the year (Katia Makdissi-Warren) : for “L’OUEST DU MATIN
• 23rd OPUS PRIZE in collaboration with the Conseil des Arts de Montréal: WINNER – Inclusion et diversité Montréal for the ensemble Oktoécho.
• 22nd OPUS PRIZE: WINNER – Album of the Year – World Music and Traditional Quebec Music for SAIMANIQ.
• 21st OPUS PRIZE: NOMINATION – “Concert of the Year – Montreal” and “Concert of the Year – World Music” for TRANSCESTRAL
• 16th OPUS PRIZE: NOMINATION – “Concert of the Year – World Music” for ÉPONYME
• 14th OPUS PRIZE : NOMINATION – ” Record of the year JAZZ ” for LA 5e ROUTE BLEUE
• 13th OPUS AWARD : NOMINATION – ” Record of the year Jazz-World Music ” for ÉPONYME
  2009 Canadian Folk Music Award : NOMINATION – ” Group of the Year ” (Ensemble of the Year), ” Artist of the Year – World Music – Group ” (World Group of the Year), ” Album of the Year – Instrumental Group of the Year ” (Instrumental Group of the Year) for Oktoécho

‘… 17 artists, singers, dancers, and poets from different backgrounds recognized for their unique and original expression and commitment.’

Oktoécho’s Transcestral concert

Tradition, ancestral memories, trance… Trancestral expresses the common perpetual quest for harmony between man and nature, inspired by the music and sacred dances of the Sufi and native traditions of Canada.

Saturday, November 27, 2021, at 8 pm
Théâtre Outremont
1248 Bernard Avenue West, Montreal

Ticketing

Student $25.00
Parterre $39.49
Balcony $31
Includes fees and taxes

Click here to reserve your tickets
or call 514 495-9944

Images courtesy of Traquen’art

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