Upon returning we have launched jazz schools,” he said. “One of the most important factors that boosted the growth and popularity of jazz is the homecoming of several Ethiopian diaspora musicians. Henok Temesgen a long-time bassist and one of the founders of the Kayen Lab band told Anadolu Agency that Ethio-jazz and standard jazz have become a favorite musical genre attracting young musicians, bands, and the public. He added musicians in several countries have been consulting him on ways of adopting Ethio-jazz. “Jarmusch loved Ethio-jazz and I accepted his request and my music became the soundtrack for the 2005 Broken Flowers, an American French comedy film,’’ he said.
The significant point of the popularity of this music was when Jim Jarmusch, a film director in Hollywood approached Astatke seeking permission to use his music in his film. ” Over the past three decades, with many global bands I have performed in concerts in several world cities, and reached western audiences,’’ he added. The fall of the military regime in 1991 marked the revival of Ethiopian jazz.Īstatke said, his two albums, Afro-Latin Soul 1 and 2 which were produced in 1966 the other album, Mulatu of Ethiopia which was released in 1975 had become immensely popular. “The self-styled socialist military government that had ruled Ethiopia from 1974 to 1991 was considering Ethiopian jazz as an instrument of western ideology, and Ethio-jazz was forced to hibernate,” he said. The musician said that the fundamental factor that popularized Ethio-jazz was the change of government in Ethiopia in 1991. “It (Ethio-jazz) is not only a beautifully harmonized music, but it also conveys a universal message of togetherness, cultural understanding, and respect,” he said. Ethio-jazz has also the touches of Afro-funk, Soul, and Latin rhythms,” he said.Īstatke has introduced Ethiopian music and African musical spirit to global audiences. He claims to have succeeded in constructing a unique genre while maintaining the authenticity, color, and texture of Ethiopian music.
“Ethio-jazz, as I call it, is a creative fusion of the pentatonic scale –based Ethiopian traditional music with the 12-note western jazz and instrumentation,” said Astatke. Marked by eerie and ancient-sounding tones, typical of traditional Ethiopian music, Ethiopian jazz or Ethio-jazz are a unique blend of traditional Ethiopian music with jazz, West African musical styles, and Latin rhythms. “As a musicologist, I still study different countries’ music and Turkey is one of them,” he said, noting that the notable cultural and musical similarities between the two countries serve as an impetus for his thoughts on musical creation.
“In a divided and hostile global situation, Ethio-Turkish fusion could musically present to the world the benefits of maintaining peaceful and trustworthy relations between the people and governments of Ethiopia and Turkey,’’ he said.Īstatke, who perused musical studies at Trinity College in London and the Berklee College of Music in Boston, USA, called upon agencies of both governments to help him to realize his dream. I call this possible musical project - Ethio-Turkish fusion,” he said.
MUDIC FUSION HOW TO
“I have been seriously contemplating on how to compose a beautifully integrated music of the two nations. He said that Ethiopia and Turkey maintain century-old good relations, and this behooves musicians in both countries to honor and cement relationships further through music. Speaking to Anadolu Agency on eve of World Jazz Day, which is being observed on Saturday, Astatke described Ethiopian jazz as a globally acknowledged musical innovation. Mulatu Astatke, 79, pioneer of Ethiopian jazz – the fusion of local music and western jazz is looking to integrate Ethiopian and Turkish music to regale audiences and inspire musicians.
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