The orchestra’s name, “Okavango,” is inspired by the Okavango Delta in Botswana, where diverse animal species coexist due to shared resources in a challenging environment. Similarly, the Okavango African Orchestra unites musicians from historically unconnected African cultures, creating a new musical language. They harmonize different tuning systems, rhythms, and timbres, representing a continuum of traditions from ancient to modern times, reflecting Canada’s multicultural spirit.

The orchestra has performed at prestigious venues and events, including Glenn Gould Studio, Koerner Hall, Harbourfront Centre, Toronto Jazz Festival, and more. They recorded their debut self-titled album at the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, winning the 2017 JUNO Award for World Music Album of the Year. Their second album, “Africa Without Borders,” was released in 2019.

As they continue their journey, the Okavango African Orchestra aims to transcend borders and embrace a vision of “Africa without borders… before the borders were created.”