Prepare to be captivated by the incredible story of Mulatu Astatke, the Ethiopian jazz legend who just played his final live concert. This is a tale of musical innovation, cultural pride, and a lasting legacy.
The Godfather of Ethio-Jazz Bids Farewell
In a heartwarming scene, 82-year-old Mulatu Astatke smiled and raised his arms, acknowledging his audience for the very last time. After six decades of captivating performances, this pioneer of Ethiopian music has decided to retire from live concerts.
But here's where it gets controversial: Mulatu's impact extends far beyond the stage. His unique blend of musical styles, which he calls "Ethio-jazz," has captivated audiences worldwide. From the soundtrack of Broken Flowers to the Oscar-nominated Nickel Boys, his music has left an indelible mark on popular culture.
And this is the part most people miss: Mulatu's journey began in the 1960s, when he used the studio as his personal laboratory. He experimented with mixing musical styles, creating what he refers to as the "science" of Ethio-jazz. It's a sound that combines Ethiopian traditions with jazz influences from around the world.
On that cold November evening in London, Mulatu took to the stage, dressed in a shirt featuring the work of Ethiopian artist Afework Tekle. As he walked steadily, he passed a set of congas and made his way to his signature instrument - the vibraphone.
With pink-felted mallets in hand, he began to play, creating a mesmerizing rhythm and melody. The first song, based on a 4th-century tune from the Ethiopian Orthodox church, showcased the unique flavor of his music. It's a blend of the Ethiopian pentatonic scale and traditional jazz, resulting in a sound that's both familiar and exotic.
"It was a beautiful show," Mulatu told the BBC after the concert. But when asked about his feelings towards saying goodbye to his international fans, he remained enigmatic.
For US musician Dexter Story, the concert was a bittersweet experience. "It was so vibrant and alive," he said. "I'm saddened that we won't have this genius touring the world."
But Mulatu's influence will live on through his recordings, and his passion for promoting Ethiopian and African music remains unwavering.
"Africa has given so much culturally to the world. It is not being recognized as it should be," he stated.
Mulatu's journey began in Jimma, southwestern Ethiopia, where he was born in 1943. As a teenager, he was sent to Lindisfarne College in North Wales to continue his education. However, it was music that captured his heart.
He first picked up the trumpet and soon discovered his natural talent. Encouraged by the headmaster, he devoted himself to music and enrolled at Trinity College in London.
Mulatu remembers this period as a formative one, filled with jazz club jams and collaborations with talented musicians like Joe Harriot, a renowned alto saxophone player.
In the 1960s, Mulatu moved to the US, becoming the first African to enroll at Berklee College of Music in Boston. There, he studied vibraphone and percussion and began incorporating Latin jazz into his music, recording his first two albums.
But it was upon his return to Addis Ababa in 1969 that he truly found his sound. He revolutionized music in Ethiopia during the "Swinging Addis" years, combining his Berklee education with Ethiopian modes to create Ethio-jazz.
Initially, his radical sound faced resistance, but it didn't last long. Mulatu's influence grew rapidly, and he became a symbol of Ethiopian music.
Even after Emperor Haile Selassie was deposed in a coup in 1974, Mulatu stayed in Addis, continuing to make music and draw inspiration from the traditional musicians he calls "our scientists."
His tracks feature traditional Ethiopian instruments like the washint (flute), kebero (drum), and the masenqo, a single-stringed fiddle. Mulatu describes the masenqo as sounding just like a cello, raising the question: Which came first?
"The problem is we don't do research," he said. "We have great scientists in Africa, geniuses who created these instruments. But we don't give them credit."
Today, Mulatu's mission is to broaden the range of traditional Ethiopian instruments by "computerizing" their sound. For his fans, it's this unique blend of the modern and traditional that makes Ethio-jazz so special.
"It reminds me of South Asian music, with the pentatonic scale giving it an Arab music feel, all while incorporating African percussion sounds," said concert-goer Joseph Badawi-Crook.
Mulatu's legacy spans generations. As one Ethiopian fan, Solliana Kineferigb, put it, "Some of our grandparents or parents have seen Mulatu throughout his career. To be part of the younger generation and still see him live is amazing."
While Mulatu's touring days may be over, he pledges to continue promoting Ethiopian music worldwide. "It's not the end," he assures us.
What do you think? Is Ethio-jazz a genre that deserves more recognition? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
