Mulatu Astatke plays around Australia

Described as the father of ‘Ethio-jazz’, one of Ethiopia's most influential and legendary musicians, Mulatu Astatke comes to Adelaide for the first time, performing for one night only on Thursday 21 October with Melbourne and Ethiopian ensemble the Black Jesus Experience.

Recreating the show that received rave reviews at the 2010 Melbourne International Jazz Festival, Astatke and the Black Jesus Experience will present an evening of jazz, funk, hip-hop, and some intense vibraphone playing, in the relaxed setting of Adelaide Festival Centre’s Piano Bar.

Astatke is an innovative musician, composer, arranger and the founder of ‘Ethio Jazz’ - the infectious music dating back to the 1960s that combines Latin jazz and early soul and funk with traditional Ethiopian harmony. Born in 1943, Astatke became the first Ethiopian musician to study abroad in London and the United States where he became immersed in jazz music. Returning home, he began experimenting with traditional Ethiopian melodies and rhythms, infusing them with jazz, and a new musical style was born.

From the late 1960s and 1970s and through to today, Astatke's global mark on music has been phenomenal. While having never ceased working in his hometown of Addis Ababa, the worldwide public appreciation of his music has been deservedly renewed with many re-issues of his early recordings through the Ethiopiques label, making his back catalogue releases collector's items the world over.

Astatke joins with the Black Jesus Experience, a dynamic Australian/Ethiopian ensemble that fuses traditional Ethiopian song with jazz, funk and hip hop. Last seen in Adelaide at WOMADelaide 2009, this 10 piece ensemble has supported Afrobeat legend Tony Allen and has recently returned from a highly successful tour of Europe and Ethiopia.

It’s now Adelaide’s chance to soak up the intoxicating sounds of the Black Jesus Experience with special guest Mulatu Astatke, and move to the grooves of these incredible musicians.

Piano Bar, Adelaide Festival Centre
21 October, 8.30pm
Cost: Adult $45, Concession $40, Student $30, GreenRoom $19.95, Group (6+) $35
Bookings: BASS on 131 246 or online at www.bass.net.au

This performance is a part of a national tour including the Bellingen Global Carnival (October 1-3), The Bakery in Perth (October 8), The Order of Melbourne (October 9-10), The Basement in Sydney (October 15-16) and Brisbane Jazz Festival (October 22).