Ethiopian instrumental jazzer Mulatu Astatke has become a darling of music lovers and film fans since the soundtrack for Jim Jarmusch’s Broken Flowers. His cerebral tunes certainly make a great soundtrack for your weekend.
Mulatu Astatke was born in Ethiopia in 1943. He is an innovative multi-instrumentalist, composer, arranger and the originator of a form of music he calls 'Ethio-Jazz'. Mulatu studied at Trinity College of Music in England and Berklee College of Music in Boston where he was Berklee's first African graduate.
As a vibraphone, conga and percussion player, Astatke has performed at numerous concerts in Ethiopia and abroad, including appearances at prestigious venues such as the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, Lincoln Center in New York, Beethoven-Haus in Bonn and Barbican Centre in London.
Mulatu Astatke also performed as a guest artist with the Duke Ellington orchestra during its visit to Ethiopia in 1971. Most recently, Mulatu’s music was used prominently in the soundtrack of the Jim Jarmusch-film Broken Flowers (starring Bill Murray and Sharon Stone).
Here is the sorcerer doing his magic live at London's Broad Casting night at Cargo - backed up by the fabulous Heliocentrics.
Playlist:
Mulatu Astatke – Yekermo Sew – L'Arome Productions
Mulatu Astatke – Gubulye – L'Arome Productions
Mulatu Astatke – Yègellé Tezeta – Buda Musique
Mulatu Astatke – Mulatu – Worthy Records
Mulatu Astatke – Kulumanqualeshi – Worthy Records
Mulatu Astatke – Kasalefkut-Hulu – Worthy Records
Mulatu Astatke – Ethio Blues – Unknown
Mulatu Astatke – Jekatit – L'Arome Productions
Mulatu Astatke – Munaye – Worthy Records
Mulatu Astatke – Netsanet – Buda Musique
More music on Red Bull Culture:
Mulatu and the Heliocentrics in the London Rain
When BMX Flatland meets Jazz
Get into the Riddim With Sly And Robbie
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