Betsat Seyoum - Basresagn [2005] [ethiopia]

   R  E  U  P  L  O  A  D   

            Bitsat Seyoum was born in Addis Abeba, Ethiopia. She attended ‘Felege Yordanos Elementary School’ (staring at the age of 4) and ‘Shemeles Habte Secondary School’. She always loved singing and was encouraged by many friends to perform. One thing led to another and Bitsat found herself beginning her singing career in an ‘Azmari Bet’ (a traditional venue where musicians {azmaris} alongside dancers and instrumentalists, perform traditional Ethiopian music). Her music was discovered by many and soon, she was touring internationally.

Bitseat Seyoum - Basresagna

       Working with all the big names of that musical era, Bitsat began recording her songs. Mulatu Astatke (who is often referred to as the father of EthioJazz) arranged the music for her first cassette recording. With masters of the Amharic poetic form ‘Wax and Gold’ (traditional poetry characterised by double meaning) and musicians and composers like Tilahun Gessesse, Gultu Tefera, Teddy Afro, Moges Teka, Mulugeta Tesfaye, Yelema Gebreabe and plenty more, she performed and recorded her work. She opened up her own successful night club in Addis Abeba named BITSAT and became famous for her witty and skilful improvisations of the ‘Wax and Gold’ poetry.

       Bitsat now lives in Melbourne with her husband, Tesfaye Temamo (a writer, director and actor) and children.

01. Betsat Seyoum - Basresagn (6:16)
02. Betsat Seyoum - Yichalal (4:26)
03. Betsat Seyoum - Enesebaseb (7:24)
04. Betsat Seyoum - Senafekeh (5:45)
05. Betsat Seyoum - Sewuyew (6:33)
06. Betsat Seyoum - Feker Awkalehu (4:48)
07. Betsat Seyoum - Alsemen Geba Belew (6:07)
08. Betsat Seyoum - Tebebegnaw (5:02)
09. Betsat Seyoum - Getenetu (6:08)
10. Betsat Seyoum - Bawetagn (4:37)