Oran Etkin

Oran Etkin’s music has been recognized with a Grammy Award (All About Bullies, Big And Small) and two Independent Music Awards for Best World Beat Album (Kelenia) and Best Children’s Album (Wake Up, Clarinet!). He has performed around the world with musicians ranging from guitarist Mike Stern and pianist Gonzalo Rubalcaba to rapper Wyclef Jean.

Through years of experience in myriad musical cultures, Etkin has developed a unique sound on the clarinet, bass-clarinet, and saxophone that draws on ancient traditions from Africa, Israel, New Orleans, and beyond, yet resonates with the driving energy of the current New York jazz scene. Etkin is also creator of the Timbalooloo method of teaching music to young children that has gained popularity in New York, Los Angeles, and Paris. 

Etkin built his foundations studying with George Garzone starting at age 14 and later with Yusef Lateef. He studied classical clarinet and composition as an undergraduate and received a master's in jazz performance at the Manhattan School of Music, where he studied with Dave Liebman and Dave Krakauer among others. He is now a faculty member of the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music and Washington Market School.

What People are Saying About Oran Etkin

"[Oran Etkin is] a great clarinet player and an excellent improviser."
—Ben Ratliff, New York Times music critic 

"[Oran Etkin is a] composer of eminent individuality." 
Yusef Lateef

"[Oran Etkin] makes music from all over the world accessible and fun for children to listen to and learn about. From the age of two, our son was talking about Herbie Hancock, Mozart, Samba, and African music—and he knew the difference."
—Harvey Keitel and Daphna Kastner Keitel