Even if you don’t speak any of the six languages the members of New York’s Banda Magda sing in, you still will be transported into beautiful imagery with tales of love and devotion, as strong as the bonds between the band’s diverse musicians (Greece, Japan, Argentina, USA, Colombia, Brazil, Turkey, Israel, UK). Led by firecracker performer, composer and multi-instrumentalist Magda Giannikou, Banda Magda moves from samba to French chanson, from Greek folk tunes to Colombian cumbia and Afro-Peruvian lando. They have traveled to more than 22 countries on five continents combining whirlwind tours of music, invigorating transformative workshops and magical interactive moments led by Magda’s uncanny ability to engage the audience. Trained in film scoring, arranging and music production at Berklee, Greek-born singer, film scorer, and composer Magda Giannikou has collaborated with everyone from Kronos Quartet to Snarky Puppy. In almost every facet of the music industry, She founded Banda Magda in 2011. This group of close musical friends turn Giannikou’s songs into engaging romps that have won them a spot with Carnegie Hall Musical Explorers Series, as well as performances at discerning venues and festivals such as Webster Hall, Irving Plaza, The Kennedy Center, The Jefferson Center, Celebrate Brooklyn, Jazz al Parque, St. Moritz Festival Da Jazz, the Chicago World Music Festival, Atlanta Jazz Festival and WOMAD. After the success of their brilliantly colorful albums, "Amour, t’es là?" (Top 10 Billboard World Music Charts, NPR’s All Songs Considered, First Listen, NPR’s 10 favorite World Music Albums 2013), and "Yerakina" (co-produced by GRAMMY Award-winners Michael League and Fab Dupont), the Banda is in pre-production of their third opus, the vibrant, technicolor Tigre. Visit: theconrad.org/events/banda-magda/ La Jolla Music Society on Facebook / Instagram
