About Band

Czech band Čankišou became famous in the Czech Republic and also abroad for its concerts full of energy and wild rhythms. Concerts run by singer Karel Herman who is very impressive not only because of his voice but also his figure become wild dance parties few minutes after beginning. Čankišou mixes influences from various ethnics with rock roots and with its rich collection of exotic instruments travels the world from Réunion island in an Indian ocean to Pakistan.

Čankišou was established at a Christmas party in 1999 by rock musicians. They put together various exotic and common rock instruments and started to explore world music field which was completely new for them at that time. Čankišou music is based on an old legend about one legged Canki people and the band also learnt their language. Within 10 years of existence the band has become one of the top world music bands in the Czech republic and has travelled 14 countries so far.

Last CD Lé la is the best Czech world music CD in 2008 according to the internationally respected Czech world music journalist Jiří Moravčík. Čankišou was also nominated for Czech version of Grammy called Anděl 2008 in world music category.

Čankišou published several successful CD´s: first CD called Music of the Canki people (Hudba lidu Čanki, 2000) is full of energy and passion from new meeting with world music. More thoughtful Densé ju (2002) includes tittle Mongolian folk song, which was brought by singer Karel Herman from a festival in Mongolia. Third Gamagaj (2004) is inspired by a book Baudolino by Umberto Eco (all by FT Records). The last CD called Lé La was published in spring 2008 by Indies Scope Reocrds. The CD is inspired mainly by many journeys and fusions with local musicians the band did in previous two years and Pakistan singer Sain Zahoor appers there as a guest.

In 2007 a book with soundtrack Ukopnuty palec aneb Pribehy lidu Canki was released. It´s a collection of 13 stories about Canki people by 13 authors. The soundtrack consists of 13 songs where each one is inspired by one story and composed by one of the Cankisou musician.

The band has following videos out now: Sham Sut (2000) from the first CD and Anay Yo (2005) from Gamagaj CD. Zuha is on Lé La CD and was shot in Pakistan. You can also see Sain Zahoor there. The last video Borrega is animated. All are broadcasted by american Link TV.

Singer Karel Herman was awarded second place at an international music festival Chuch Mongolia 2001 /Blue Mongolia/ in Mongolia. David Synák in cooperation with Theatre Continuo took part in EXPO 2005 exhibiton in Japan.

Čankišou performs at various events:

they were the second Czech band in ten years of festival history to perform at Amsterdam Roots Festival 2007, member of European Forum of Worldwide Music Festivals
participation in World Performing and Visual Arts festival 2007 and 2005 in Lahore in Pakistan - except of its own concerts the band made fusion with Sain Zahoor who received BBC World music 2006 award and sufi singer Surriya Khanam
first Czech band ever to play at Manapany Surf festival 2006 on Réunion island including fusion with local musicians
Czech music festivals - Colours of Ostrava 2005 and 2003 - member of EFWMF, Rock for people, United Islands, Trutnov Open Air, Zamosti, Straznice, Trnkobraní, Febiofest etc.
Slovakian music festivals - Pohoda, Topvar Rock Fest, Reviste, Hodokvas, Country Lodenice, Cibulak, Mediawave etc.
others - Estonia (Maailmakula 2008), Netherlands (Rainbowpark festival 2009, Amsterdam Roots Festival 2007, member of EFWMF, Wereldfeest 2007, Kleur van de Nacht 2007), Germany (Prague in Hamburg 2004, Folkherbst 2005 and 2007), Poland (Klodzsko 2009, FOLKowa FIESTA 2005 and 2006), Ukraine (Svirzh World Music festival 2009, Ethno and land art festival Sheshori 2005 and 2007), Lithuania (Klaipeda Jazz Festival 2005), Romania (Fete de la Musique 2005), Pakistan (World Performing Arts Festival 2005, World Performing and Visual Arts Festival 2007 in Lahore), Italy, Austria, Switzerland, France, Hungary...
recorded music for film Nuda v Brne directed by Vladimir Moravek - songs Lebada Roti a A Sta Libera from cd Gamagaj are part of czech film Blízko nebe (Close to Heaven) by Dan Svátek - opening of The National Geographic Exhibition in Praque

The band Čankišou:

Karel Herman - vocals
Zdenek Kluka - vocals, drums, percussions, balafon, blasakordeon, accordion, vocals
Jan Kluka - drums, djembe, percussions, yarin, tarabuka, vocals
David Synak - flutes, didjeridoo, altsax, sopransax, jinagovi, vocals
Roman Mrazek - bass, vocals
Rene Senko - tenorsaxofon, vocals
Martin Krajicek - mandoline, quitar, vocals