Ellika Solo Rafael 
Sweden, Senegal & Mexico

If you were to look for a group that embodied the state of modern folk music in 2017, the trio of Ellika, Solo and Rafael would be a pretty darned good place to start listening. With members hailing from Sweden, Mexico and Senegal, a person would be hard pressed to find an ensemble that does a better job of embracing and exploring traditions without being bound by them. 

Ellika, Solo and Rafael is a collaboration between Swedish violinist, Ellika Frisell, Senegalese singer and kora player, Solo Cissokho and Mexican percussionist, Rafael Sida. Frisell and Cissokho first met in 1998 and recorded two albums together before beginning to work with Sida in 2014.

Together they create ensemble music that reflects the individual creativity and traditions of each member to achieve a remarkable sound that is true reflection of this unique collaboration. With musical explorations that shift between uplifting and propulsive dance numbers to reflective, delicate string excursions, Ellika, Solo and Rafael’s performances at this year’s festival promise to be nothing short of breathtaking.