Born and raised in Addis Ababa, Chachi Tadesse has used her roots to grow an international music career. At the age of sixteen Chachi joined a well known Ethiopian cover-band, touring extensively while building her musical skills and fan base. In 1982 Chachi moved to the USA, taking classes in Music, acting and modeling and touring extensively with reggae artists.
Chachi is most known for her musical career as one of the first Ethiopian artists to blend the sounds of reggae with Amharic. After releasing her first album, in Washington D.C., she traveled extensively and got involved in acting, modeling, voice lessons, and fashion design. Chachi returned to Ethiopia in 1992 with her first album selling over 90,000 copies worldwide, but her focus was honed in on the plight of street children rather than on her musical success.
Debo Band is a 11-piece Ethio-groove collective that has quickly earned an ever-growing and enthusiastic following in the loft spaces, neighborhood bars, and church basements of Boston, MA (USA) performing for American, and Ethiopian and Eritrean communities. Since 2006, Debo Band has been immersed in the unlikely confluence of traditional East African polyrhythms and pentatonic scales, classic American soul and funk music, and the instrumentation of Eastern European brass bands, which produced a unique form of dance music that Ethiopian audiences instantly recognize as the soundtrack of their youth, carried from party to kitchen on the ubiquitous cassette tapes of the time. And increasingly, erudite American and European audiences are also getting hip to the Ethiopian groove, largely through CD reissues of Ethiopian classics on the Ethiopiques series.
With a unique instrumentation – including horns, strings, and accordion – that is a nod to the big bands of Haile Selassie’s time, Debo Band is carrying the torch of classic Ethiopian music by giving new life to these old sounds. Their lead vocalist, Bruck Tesfaye, has the kind of pipes that reverberate with the sound of beloved Ethiopian vocalists like Mahmoud Ahmed and Alemayehu Eshete. But Debo Band is not content simply “covering” the older styles – they also perform original compositions and new arrangements of songs from modern and contemporary artists such as Teddy Afro and Roha Band. Their expansive repertoire and spirited performances have earned them respect and recognition, leading to concert opportunities such as opening for legendary Ethiopian greats Tilahun Gessesse and Getatchew Mekuria.
Danny Mekonnen, an Ethiopian-American jazz saxophonist and a PhD candidate in ethnomusicology at Harvard University, created Debo as a way of exploring the unique sounds that filled the dance clubs of “Swinging Addis” and as an outlet for experimenting with new arrangements, configurations, and compositional techniques. In addition to their dedication to Ethiopian music, the other members of Debo Band are involved in a huge array of musical projects, ranging from free jazz and experimental rock music to chamber and orchestral music. Band members have composed full orchestral works, scored silent films and documentaries, recorded albums with homemade electronic instruments, and for fun, study folk music traditions from around the world, including Balkan folk music, Balinese Gamelan, and Brazilian percussion
ensembles.
For the last several months, Debo Band has committed itself to spreading its music to audiences far and wide. In early 2009 Debo toured the U.S. East Coast taking their Ethiopian grooves to diverse venues in New York, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C. In each of these cities, Debo Band inspired all kinds of people to get up and dance, whether they had never seen iskista, the Ethiopian shoulder dance, or had been dancing it since childhood.
In May 2009, Debo traveled to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia to perform at the 8th Ethiopian Music Festival, an engagement supported by Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation through USArtists International with support from the National Endowment for the Arts and the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. These performances affected Debo Band’s creative and professional development in significant ways, particularly in the collaboration they began with several traditional musicians – vocalist Selamnesh Zemene, dancer Zinash Tsegaye, drummer Asrat Ayalew, and washint (flute) player Yohannes Afewerk. All accomplished musicians in their own right, these musicians have collectively over fifty years of experience at prestigious venues ranging from the National Theater of Ethiopia to Fendika, a leading azmari bet, or traditional music house, in Addis Ababa. Working with these four musicians, Debo Band grows into a forceful, energetic, and authoritative thirteen-piece Ethiopian ensemble capable of delightful, one-of-a-kind performances.
01. Debo Band - Akale Wube (5:01) 02. Debo Band - Ney Ney Weleba (5:30) 03. Debo Band - Not Just a Song (6:06) 04. Debo Band - Yefeker Wegagene (5:30) 05. Debo Band - Asha Gedawo (5:13) 06. Debo Band - Tenesh Kelbe Lay (5:15) 07. Debo Band - And Lay (4:53) 08. Debo Band - Medinanna Zelesegna (4:11) 09. Debo Band - Habesha (6:51) 10. Debo Band - Ambassel (7:06) 11. Debo Band - DC Flower (3:22)
It is an almost vehement strong voice that shakes the listener from the outset, Korahu ( Proud ), one also entered the international scene of the young Selamnesh Zemene with this second album of Breton septet. Fascinated by the sound of horns and electric guitars Addis Ababa 1960s and mid -70 , with its international tours with the two biggest stars of swing Abyssinian , Mahmoud Ahmed and Alèmayèhu Eshèté, the Badume 's Band puts his sax , clarinet , guitar, bass, drums and Hammond organ service resounding song Selamnesh, new revelation of the Ethiopian capital.
Selamnesh descended from a line of azmaris, griots, nomads of the region of Gondar, the former capital of Ethiopia, known for its cultural and artistic influence. A past that inspired the singer to his choice of themes, often its ancestral musical modes to the example of this rhythm Wedding Dance fever makes the first track. A festive fervor found in Ketew Abew (where it is beautiful) , an ode to the origins of ululating, a copper piece to perfection with a guitar that turns. Sometimes the dance groove of Ethio - jazz Badume 's Band, supports voice that pierces surprisingly that such divas du Sahel , as evidenced by this blues rock dominated by brass Sentun Ayehu Banjte meaning with you I have seen all the colors ( sic) .
Much of the ten tracks ( ncluding two instrumentals, Antchi Bizu , way cool jazz, and Alemnesh, a gently catchy ballad ), are also blues, exhilarating as lamentos Ale Gena (there is) a song morello seasoned, music with jazz accents, a little funky . While Tezeta Duga Aggayú (memory), despite its rock guitar remains a sorrow song marked by ululating, like nagging complaint Sabiyé a composition of the famous singer and actress Asnaqètch Worqu , disappeared in September 2011, seventy-six years , inspiring Mahmoud Ahmed.
Moreover, Selamnesh takes another standard Abyssinian Heritage Mela Mela solution , the tube that was made known to the world Mahmoud Ahmed in the 1980s , traditional inspiration, such a sweet haunting trance, a collective prayer.
01. Badume's Band & Selamnesh Zemene - Korahu (5:58)
02. Badume's Band & Selamnesh Zemene - Ale Gena (5:45)
03. Badume's Band & Selamnesh Zemene - Tezeta Duga Aggayu (7:45)
04. Badume's Band & Selamnesh Zemene - Ketew Abew (5:47)
05. Badume's Band & Selamnesh Zemene - Mela mela (6:53)
06. Badume's Band & Selamnesh Zemene - Antchi Bizu (3:30)
07. Badume's Band & Selamnesh Zemene - Minjar (6:39)
08. Badume's Band & Selamnesh Zemene - Sabiyé (6:16)
Mahmoud Ahmed & le Badume's band - Le Pont des Artistes Studio CHarles Trenet, Maison de Radio France, Paris Recording : December 12th, 2007 Broadcast : December 15th, 2007
Mahmoud Ahmed
1. Mahmoud Ahmed & Badume's band - Kulun Mankwalesh (4:14)
2. Mahmoud Ahmed & Badume's band - Fetsum Denq Ledj Nesh (4:41)
3. Mahmoud Ahmed & Badume's band - Bemen Sebeb Letlash (4:42)
4. Mahmoud Ahmed & Badume's band - Belomi Benna (5:50)
When it comes to traditional Ethiopian Music, Shambel Belayneh is well known for his singing and his great skill with the Masinko, a traditional Ethiopian musical instruments. For over 20 years, he has entertained audiences across the globe. Currently residing in the United States, Shambel's heart remains in his homeland and he is deeply committed to performing the music of Ethiopia throughout the world.
When it comes to traditional Ethiopian music, Shambel Belayneh is well known not only for his singing talent, but also for his great skill with the masinko. He is deeply committed to performing the music of Ethiopia throughout the world. Hager, Shambel's sixth recording, is an attempt to blend traditional musical instruments (masinko and krar) with western instrumentation.
For those Ethiopians far far away from home, Shambel's music brings back great and unforgatable memories. Especially songs number 1,2 and 3. What better way to remenice about your country and roots than with music like 'Hager'? Song number 2, 'Jemeregn' hits home with it's lyrics. The fact that Shambel is one of the best vocalists of our country also contributes to the essence of this cd. Shambel, cheers to you!
A CD full of happy moments and wonderful music. If you like Ethiopian dancing (with the shoulders and all) this is definately the CD for you. The combination of modern instruments with Shambel's masinko creates an exciting blend that is bound to get you off of your seat and into the dance floor. To me the songs are all great, but I would like to point out song number 6 for its amazing rhythm. If you are Ethiopian you already have it, and if you are not - go get it !
Since 2006, Debo Band has thrilled Boston-area audiences with their unique interpretations of classic Ethiopian popular music. Their performances bring together the best of the last forty years of Ethiopian music, with a reverence for the vintage sounds of the 1970s and a commitment to discovering contemporary gems, as well as developing new compositions – they scored the Ethiopian-produced short film, “Lezare,” in 2009. The band paid their dues playing neighborhood bars, church basements, and loft parties, and has emerged as an internationally recognized touring band, with performances at two international festivals in the last year alone.
Up until now, Debo Band has primarily existed as a live band, playing at venues across the Boston/New England region. Last year, however, Debo began taking steps towards actively documenting and releasing recordings and is also working with a documentary filmmaker on a project about the band’s mission to bring Ethiopian music and musicians to the forefront of world music. Additionally, Debo Band is currently producing a CD/DVD set and LP version of live performances recorded in Boston, New York, and East Africa.
In May 2009, Debo traveled to Addis Ababa to perform at the 8th Ethiopian Music Festival and several other locations throughout the Horn and East Africa. These performances affected Debo Band’s creative and professional development in significant ways, particularly in the collaboration they began with several traditional musicians – vocalist Selamnesh Zemene, drummer Asrat Ayalew, and dancers Zinash Tsegaye and Melaku Belay. All accomplished musicians in their own right, these musicians work together at Fendika, a leading azmari bet, or traditional music house, operated by Melaku in Addis Ababa. When working with these four musicians Debo Band grows into a forceful, energetic, and authoritative fourteen-piece ensemble capable of delightful, one-of-a-kind performances. The full ensemble (Debo Band plus Fendika, or “FenDeboKa”) recently performed several concerts in Addis Ababa and at the 7th Sauti za Busara Festival in Zanzibar (February 2010).
1. Debo Band - Akale Wube [trad.] (4:53) 2. Debo Band - Yene Neger [Gossaye Tesfaye] (5:39) 3. Debo Band - Adderech Arada [Menelik Wossenachew] (5:18) 4. Debo Band - Ambassel [trad.] (7:19) 5. Debo Band - Addis Ababa Bete [Alemayehu Eshete] (6:22) 6. Debo Band - Lantchi Biye [Tilahoun Gessesse] (4:03) 7. Debo Band - Musicawi Silt [Walias Band] (5:09) 8. Debo Band - Embwa Belew [Muluken Melesse] (4:43)
Abdu Kiar (born June 23, 1976 in Addis Merkato, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia) is an artist in Ethiopian music. He gained his popularity in 2003 on his first album called Merkato Sefere. Abdu Kiar is well known for his modern style Ethiopian music and for his best Amharic lyrics. Since 2003 Abdu write and recorded three albums.
The youngest of all 7 children in the family abdu kiar right after he graduated from high school join the Express Music Band in 1997. performing Dancehall, Hip hop and Reggea in the night clubs called Coffee house and Lion club. In 1998 Abdu went to Saudi Arabia and worked as a salesman in a fashion store in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
In 2003. Abdu Kiar release his first album Merkato Sefere and join the Ethiopian music industry with great fame.
Abdu continue writing new songs and released another two albums Fikir Beamarigna (2006) and Minew Shewa (2009). Abdu also contributed a song to support HIV awareness in Ethiopia.
Making his world tour in different cities, Abdu Kiar performs his songs to Ethiopians all over the world.
Marc Teissier du Cros, one half of the brains behind Paris label The Record Makers, home to some of Paris’ strongest music acts the likes of Sébastien Tellier lent his talents this past July to summer festival Les Siestes Electroniques.
Mining the music archive of the Left Bank’s Musée du Quai Branly, Teissier du Cros complies Ethiopia! an Ethio Jazz & modern music mixtape featuring some of the genres biggest names Mahmoud Ahmed, Bahta Gebre-Heywet, Tilahoun Gessesse, Mulatu Astatke, Mohammed Jimmy Mohammed and more.
Without a doubt the inclusion of tracks like ‘Tezeta’ by Mahmoud Ahmed makes this mixtape tug hard on nostalgic strings for any listener familiar with the Addis Ababa music scene of the 50′s, 60′s and 70′s.
Marc tells that he delved into the genre when music label Buda Musique began releasing the ‘Ethiopiques‘ series curated by Francis Falceto in the late 90′s. A fan of Pharaoh Sanders in his student days, he mentions that "listening to Ethiopian music was like discovering where Pharoah Sanders found some of his inspiration from. Ethiopia was the heartbeat of the American free jazz scene of the late 60′s, Coltrane, Pharoah! A bit the same way seeing Fela Kuti live in Lagos gave James Brown enough guts to move from soul to funk music.”
Nati Haile is an Ethiopian artist who presides in Toronto, and is a famous and upcoming Ethiopian singer. His first single 'Ken Saymesh' was one of Ethiopian classic favourite songs by Tewodros Taddesse.
Nati gave it a new groove and made it even popular. His second single is the one that has made Nati a super star. The song was originally sang by Muluken Mellesse and Nati titled it 'Legenetuwa' and showed his amazing talent.
His first album 'Let yinegal' was released in 2005 and has sold hunders of thousands of cds world wide. Before he released this album, he released two amazing songs.
His second album ' Beka' was released on July 31, 2010. The critics have given it good ratings and it is one of the "must have amharic cds of 2010".
Nati Haile is known to have a magnificent voice that has been compared to very popular artist like Muluken Mellesse and Tewodros Taddesse. His current album, according to Nati and his producers at Nahom Records, will have popular Ethiopian beats, Reggae, Blues and Hip-hop.
Nati has been working on his new album 'BEQA' for three years. He has been perfecting his skills as a singer and song-writer. As a tastement to his potential, all the songs in his new album have been written by himself. All the songs in his new album have been composed by talented artists from Ethiopia and abroad.
Nati Haile currently resides in Canada studying different types of music from across the world.
This what's said about he's up coming 3rd CD "I'm actually working on my 3rd CD Nati
“now I’m in a very, very, very, very different place than I’ve ever been It’s going to be a very interesting album, conceptually one of the most exciting projects I’ve worked on, just cause there’s so many new things going on in my life. I work hard trying to build my singing, and musical skills and I feel like I owe it to my fans and supporters to deliver the best music I ... I'm ready and willing to work hard to bring you good music and take it to the next level all I can do is leave it in God's hands and I know he will help me he stated. ... I hope that my fans feel where I'm coming from. God Bless All…!!!"
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