Ashkenaz Festival: Kallisto

The group creates original, fully composed music inspired by klezmer and Anatolian Turkish psychedelic rock, transforming these modal languages into material for contemporary, immersive, and carefully structured compositions. At the center of Kallisto’s sound is the clarinet, positioned as a lead voice within an amplified rock ensemble, where it takes on a role often associated with guitar or vocals. Psychedelic textures, hypnotic passages, and dynamic contrasts are woven into extended, through-composed forms shaped by progressive rock and contemporary compositional approaches. Each instrument actively contributes to the structure of the music, with shifting roles and a strong sense of collective development. With the release of its second album Chameleon in 2026, Kallisto embraces a heavier and more immersive sound while continuing to explore modal systems and long-form composition. The project has recently been featured on Radio-Canada (Tellement Courteau with Alexandre Courteau), reviewed by Montreal Rocks, and included in the ADISQ weekly chart. The group has shared the stage with artists such as Socalled, Farzad Milani, Alice Bro, Zoe Aqua, and Friendly Frogs Freakshow.

For more information, visit Ashkenaz.ca