The Georgia Straight proudly sponsors Bokanté

On June 27, 8 p.m., Bokanté takes the stage at the Vogue Theatre (918 Granville).

Presented as part of the TD Vancouver International Jazz Festival, the international music ensemble is known for blending world rhythms, an idea which is echoed in the band's name. Bokanté means "exchange" in Creole, the language of vocalist Malika Tirolien's youth growing up on the Caribbean island of Guadeloupe.

The band is composed of vocalist Tirolien, percussionists Jamey Haddad, André Ferrari, and Keita Ogawa, guitarists Chris McQueen and Bob Lanzetti, lap and pedal-steel guitarist Roosevelt Collier, and baritone guitarist and bassist Michael League.

Of the group, League says that "though the ensemble is multi-lingual, multi-cultural, and multi-generational, we all feel connected as musicians and people. And in combining our different accents I feel that there is a strangely common and poignant sound, one that can reach and relate to listeners around the world.”

For more information, check out Bokanté's Facebook page.