Minneapolis-based string duo The OK Factor and award-winning Swedish quintet Jaerv will bring their Traditions program to Northern Michigan University.
The two groups will perform on Friday, October 20th at 7:30 p.m. in Reynolds Recital Hall on the campus of Northern Michigan University. They first met in 2017 when The OK Factor opened for Jaerv at the Cedar Cultural Center in Minneapolis. Finding much in common, they stayed in touch and are now starting their second US tour. Both groups are inspired by classical, folk, and pop music.
The OK Factor is the duo of cellist Olivia Diercks and violinist Karla Colahan. They celebrate a decade of writing, performing, and touring. They share their love of music throughout communities by hosting outreach activities and workshops.
Jaerv is a Swedish quintet that presents an energetic take on traditional music with jazz and pop influences. The group is made of members Joel Hagen, Markus Gustavsson, Tobias Hedlund, Harald Nilsson, and Anders Bergsten. Collectively the quintet performs with instruments like flute, fiddle, pump organ, nyckelharpa, and vocals.
Kurt Hauswirth spoke with members of each group by phone about their upcoming joint residence at Northern Michigan University:
The OK Factor & Jaerv will present their joint concert Traditions at the Reynolds Recital Hall on NMU's campus on Friday, October 20th at 7:30 p.m. The groups will also offer a music appreciation presentation and lecture at 11 a.m. and a masterclass at 1 p.m. in Reynolds Recital Hall earlier the same day.
Ticket information can be found here.
The concert is sponsored by the Siril Endowment for the Musical Arts and the Beaumier Upper Peninsula Heritage Center.
Listen to the combined sound of Jaerv and The OK Factor:
