Oki Dub Ainu Band

Led by Ainu musician OKI (Oki Kano), the Oki Dub Ainu Band comes to Chatham from the northern Japanese island of Hokkaido. This one-of-a-kind band energetically weaves together reggae, afro beats, and electronic music with the folk music of the Ainu—Japan’s northernmost indigenous people—creating a driving, unexpected, and celebratory performance. Kano plays the tonkori, a five-stringed harp-like instrument native to the Ainu, continuing his journey to bring this traditional instrument into new contexts and new audiences.

Co-presented with Japan Society, New York.