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Like a shoreline scintillating in the distance, New York’s Banda Magda blurs distinctions and suggests wonders.

Even if you don’t speak any of the 6 languages they sing in, you are still 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 is a community; their camaraderie shining with cross-pollinating melody and rhythm. . The rotating madcap fellowship has traveled to more than 22 countries in 5 continents combining whirlwind tours of music, invigorating transformative workshops and magical interactive moments led by Magda’s uncanny ability to engage the audience.

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MAGDA GIANNIKOU

Founder of Banda Magda

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 (she was commissioned by and performed with the quartet at Lincoln Center 2013) to Louis CK (she worte and sang a duet with CK for the comedian’s TV show) and Snarky Puppy (participated in their Grammy Award Winning Family Dinner Vol.1).

In almost every facet of the music industry, Giannikou may be best known through her world music ensemble/collective, Banda Magda, founded in 2011.

Banda Magda moves from samba to French chanson, from Greek folk tunes to Colombian cumbia and Afro-Peruvian lando. Their songs capture the best of mid-century pop ballads and cinematic arranging, drawing on the band’s global background and unchained musicality.

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 3rd opus, the vibrant, technicolor TIGRE.

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