Paris to Kyiv ensemble brings its unique music to Banff

WINNIPEG - Just as its name implies, Paris To Kyiv, the acclaimed Canadian World Music ensemble led by Winnipeg singer and composer Alexis Kochan, is on a journey, one that is fueled by the timeless songs and chants and mystery of ancient Ukraine and borne by the varied multicultural roots of the group's musicians, at home in the present-day phenomenon of world music.

With recent successes in Poland and Canada, Ms. Kochan and her mates are again venturing forth to new territory, albeit a little closer to home. The quintet will be ensconced at the Banff Center for the Arts this month where they will be breaking new ground as the first "in-residence" world music group. This rehearsal project will see the development of new repertoire and the integration of the brilliant Canadian percussionist John Wyre (Nexus) into Paris To Kyiv.

Kochan and Paris To Kyiv will be well-placed at the prestigious Banff Center with its reputation for inspiration and creation. Timely, too, as the group will be preparing this new material for upcoming dates in California in October (highlighted by a date at the Carpenter Center with Brave Old World), another series of dates in Western Canada, and a major Eastern European tour in 2003.

The group will be in residence from April 28 to May 5 and will also be presenting a full concert of new and established repertoire at the Banff Center on Saturday, May 4, at 2:30 p.m. in the Rolston Recital Hall. Admission is $15 adults, $12 seniors and children under 12.

Financial support for this undertaking has been provided by the Ukrainian Canadian Foundation of Taras Shevchenko.

More information regarding Alexis Kochan and Paris To Kyiv can be found online at www.paristokyiv.com.

Copyright © The Ukrainian Weekly, April 28, 2002, No. 17, Vol. LXX

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