Oran Etkin

Oran Etkin is a jazz and world music musician.

Biography A native of Israel, after moving with his family 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. Other musicians on the album include Camara (on talking drum), violinist Sara Caswell, and guitarist Lionel Loueke.

Discography As leader Kelenia (Motéma, 2009) Gathering Light (Motema, 2014) What's New? (Motema, 2015)

As guest Wake Up Clarinet! (Motéma, 2010)