Ethiopian jazz artist looks for fusion with Turkish music

By Seleshi Tessema

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia (AA) – 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.

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.

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.

“I have been seriously contemplating on how to compose a beautifully integrated music of the two nations. I call this possible musical project -- Ethio-Turkish fusion,” he said.

“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.

Astatke, 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.

“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.

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.

“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.

He claims to have succeeded in constructing a unique genre while maintaining the authenticity, color, and texture of Ethiopian music.

This is the science of Ethio-jazz. Ethio-jazz has also the touches of Afro-funk, Soul, and Latin rhythms,” he said.

- Regales global audiences

Astatke has introduced Ethiopian music and African musical spirit to global audiences.

“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.

The musician said that the fundamental factor that popularized Ethio-jazz was the change of government in Ethiopia in 1991.

“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 fall of the military regime in 1991 marked the revival of Ethiopian jazz.

Astatke 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.

” 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 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.

“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.

He added musicians in several countries have been consulting him on ways of adopting Ethio-jazz.

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 genres attracting young musicians, bands, and the public.

“One of the most important factors that boosted the growth and popularity of jazz is the homecoming of several Ethiopian diaspora musicians. Upon returning we have launched jazz schools,” he said.

- FM stations popularized jazz

He said that the opening of the jazz department at the government's oldest Yared Music School has also added to this genus of music.

“Consequently, we are amid the proliferation of Ethio-jazz-inspired bands, and a growing class of jazz music lovers,” he said.

Further, the FM radio stations that play jazz and western music have also popularized the Ethio-jazz.

Berhanu Degafe, a host of a popular jazz music show on a Sheger FM, a private station in the capital, told Anadolu Agency that “Ethio-jazz and its melodious songs are no longer the tests of the educated few but the music of all.”

Astatke still plays music with his band at Jazz Mender which is located at the oldest Ghion Hotel in the capital.