Ultan Kai is a musician, vocalist, and composer who has reinterpreted ethnic music through the lens of contemporary genres. His work is a fusion of traditional instruments such as the jaw harp with powerful electronic elements.
The artist is half Inuit and half Evenk. His appearance emphasizes his connection to his roots—he bears authentic traditional tattoos on his face.
Improvisation and atmosphere are key elements of Ultan Kai’s work. For example, his debut album Om was recorded in a single take, entirely in the flow, without pre-written scores or lyrics. The artist and his team entered a trance-like state, allowing the music to emerge naturally.
The jaw harp holds a special place in his music. Despite its simple
construction, the instrument has a wide frequency range, which gives its
sound a multilayered and cinematic quality. Ultan Kai and his team work
to convey this depth, with a long-term ambition of creating a film
soundtrack one day. Depending on the format of the event, the
artist can either immerse the audience in a meditative state or energize
them with traditional throat singing.
At the core of Ultan Kai’s sound is a deep connection to his roots. His
music immerses listeners in the world of ancient rituals, conveys the
spirit of shamanic traditions, and reveals the cultural heritage of his
ancestors. At the same time, he does not merely preserve tradition—he
expands it, creating a new style and opening ethnic music to
contemporary audiences.
Ultan Kai actively performs at major ethnic and folk festivals in Russia, such as World of Siberia and Ustuu-Khuree, and also appears at urban cultural events like Winter in Moscow (VDNKH).