| About
Okotécho guides the listener into a sonic world brimming with hope, aspiration, and lyricism found in the exceptional interlude between the Middle East, Arboriginal and the West. Under the artistic direction of composer Katia Makdissi-Warren, Okotécho explores mixed music and musical sounds through its own compositions.
Hélène Martel
Jazz Signer
Presentation
Hélène Martel, a jazz singer and songwriter, stands out as an accomplished improviser. Her vibrant musical style, enriched by explorations into throat singing, allows her to excel both as a supporting voice and a soloist. Following her studies in jazz singing under Karen Young at the Université de Montréal, she moved to the United States. For over six years, she devoted herself to blues and honed her skills under the mentorship of masters like Mark Levine, Kurt Elling, Madeline Eastman, and Rufus Reid. She also participated in masterclasses led by jazz legends such as McCoy Tyner and Art Farmer. Returning to Canada in 2001, Hélène Martel pursued a teaching career while continuing to perform as a chorister and soloist. She has been teaching jazz singing at the Faculty of Music of Université de Montréal since 2010 and at Cégep Saint-Laurent since 2009. She has been collaborating with Oktoecho since 2007.