Kuné – Canada’s Global Orchestra, formerly known as the New Canadian Global Music Orchestra, Announces the Release of its Debut Album on Universal Music Canada
For immediate release
KUNÉ – Canada’s Global Orchestra, formerly known as the New Canadian Global Music Orchestra, Announces the Release of its Debut Album on Universal Music Canada
Self-Titled Album to be Released April 6 Ahead of Launch Concert at Koerner Hall on April 7
27 February 2018 (Toronto, ON) – A major initiative by The Royal Conservatory of Music was last year’s formation of a new ensemble of musicians created to celebrate Canada’s cultural diversity and pluralism during the country’s sesquicentennial. The ensemble was conceived by Mervon Mehta, Executive Director of Performing Arts at The Conservatory. The ensemble, then known as the New Canadian Global Music Orchestra, launched in Koerner Hall on June 2, 2017 and toured Canada with stops in Ottawa, Calgary, London, Guelph, and Montréal. Today, the ensemble announces its new name, which means “together” in Esperanto: KUNÉ – Canada’s Global Orchestra.
KUNÉ’s self-titled debut album is scheduled for release on April 6 via Universal Music Canada, the country’s leading music company. As a celebration of Canada’s strong cultural diversity, the ensemble is an authentic reflection of the multicultural talent that UMC is committed to supporting. The album release comes just one day ahead of their launch concert at Koerner Hall on April 7 alongside award-winning trumpeter and composer David Buchbinder and Grammy Award nominated Cuban piano master Hilario Durán and their band Odessa/Havana.
In addition to their global partnership signing with Universal Music Canada, KUNÉ have also been signed by one of the leading arts management firms in the world, Opus 3 Artists, who manage artists such as Yo-Yo Ma and his Silk Road Project, pianists Emanuel Ax and Daniil Trifonov, Roseanne Cash, Béla Fleck, violinists Gidon Kremer and Gil Shaham, as well as the late Hugh Masekela, all of whom have also performed at Koerner Hall.
KUNÉ’s journey began in 2016 when The Royal Conservatory auditioned 150 newcomers to Canada and was overwhelmed with the talent that was heard. 13 virtuoso musicians were chosen – 12 from abroad who had each chosen to start a new life in Canada, and one Métis Canadian whose ancestors have been here for centuries. The ensemble came together in December of 2016 and, under the artistic direction of David Buchbinder, began to create a band that looks and sounds like Canada today. Through writing, rehearsals, cultural exploration, and touring together, the members of KUNÉ have formed a sound that is at once global and uniquely local. They illustrate what is possible when we listen to each other and play together.
KUNÉ – Canada’s Global Orchestra
KUNÉ Members:
- Padideh Ahrarnejad (Iran): Tar & Vocals
- Sasha Boychouk (Ukraine): Woodwinds & Ethnic Ukrainian Flutes
- Alyssa Delbaere-Sawchuk (Canada – Métis): Violin, Viola & Vocals
- Luis Deniz (Cuba): Saxophone
- Anwar Khurshid (Pakistan): Sitar & vocals
- Lasso (Salif Sanou) (Burkina Faso): Fulani flute, N’goni, Talking drum, Djembe, Doum-Doum & Vocals
- Paco Luviano (Mexico): Acoustic & Electric Bass
- Aline Morales (Brazil): Brazilian Percussion & Vocals
- Demetrios Petsalakis (Greece): Oud, Lyra, Acoustic & Electric guitar
- Matias Recharte (Peru): Cajón, Drums & Percussion
- Selcuk Suna (Turkey): Clarinet
- Dorjee Tsering (Tibet): Dranyen, Flute, Piwang & Vocals
- Dora Wang (China): Bamboo Flute, Flute, Hulusi & Xiao
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