Originally from Ethiopia, Ermias T. Kebede lived in different parts of the world including France and Italy. He currenly resides in the US, in the city of Chicago, IL.
Picked up the guitar in SJS High School in Addis Ababa and has been playing every kind of music since. He joined a variety of bands in his career, some of whose members have played with the likes of Dizzy Gillespie and Ziggy Marley.
Currently a member of ABOGIDA band touring with Teddy Afro, he also runs his own independent label, ETK MUSIC, under which he has released two albums "Mystic Groove" and "Glimpse of Victory".
A combination of world, jazz and Reggae music like never mixed before, "Mystic Groove" transports you into the planes of strong rhythms and hypnotic grooves with subtle yet distinct melodies paving the way.
"My primary motivation for completing the project "Mystic Groove" is to bring forth the mystical rhythms of Reggae to a wider audience. I have always been moved by the subtle yet powerful rhythm of the "one drop" beat that mainly categorizes Reggae music from the rest. I believe different types of music affect different parts of the human self and Reggae goes right to the spirit"
Hailu Mergia was born in Debre Birhan, Showa Province, Ethiopia in 1938 (1946 in the European calendar) to parents Tewabech Ezineh and Mergia Lulessa, who were of Amhara and Oromo ancestry, respectively. His mother took him to Aynemisa, close to Addis, where he grew up from age 3 until he was 10 when they moved to the capital Addis Ababa.
Hailu went to Shimelis Habte high school but dropped out before graduating. In 1952 (1960 in European calendar), he joined the army music department as a boy scout to support his mother. Mergia stayed in the army almost two years, learning how to read and write music.
After Hailu left the army, he started singing in small bars as a freelance musician. He joined various pick-up bands, touring across the Ethiopian provinces as a singer and accordion player for almost a year. After the group broke up, he started performing in nightclubs like Addis Ababa, Patrice Lumumba, Asegedech Alamrew, Sombrero, Zula Club and others. At Zula Club he and his mates formed Walias Band and did something no other band in Ethiopian nightclub history had done: they started buying their own musical instruments. Until then the club owners were supplying the instruments and had the power to fire musicians at will.
Zula Band
For the first time ever Walias Band signed a contract with the owner of Venus Club as a group thereby protecting themselves from club owners. Mergia and Walias Band went on to do gigs at hotels like Wabi Shebele and the Hilton.
After playing almost eight years at the Hilton Hotel, Mergia and Walias Band came to the United States and toured widely in 1982-1983. Afterwards, some of of the band stayed in America while others went back to Addis. That was a heartbreaking time for the band. They considered themselves a family, and they knew they had broken new ground in the history of Addis nightclub musicians. They had helped make the Ashantis Band from Kenya famous in Addis.
They were the first private band who played for state dinners at the palace for the Derg government (twice). And, they were the first private band to tour the USA. After the break-up of Walias Band, Mergia settled in the States and formed Zula Band with Moges Habte and Tamiru Ayele, playing in different restaurants and touring in the States and Europe.
At that time, Mergia made a one-man band recording with accordion for the first time, mixing in Rhodes electric piano, Moog synthesizer and a rhythm machine. That was 1985. This recording was inspired by the early memories of his first instrument, the accordion. After the break-up of Zula Band in 1992, he quit performing and ran Soukous Club for seven years with his partners Moges and Tamiru.
Hailu Mergia weaves Moog DX7 synthesizer, Rhodes electric piano and rhythm machine into the rich harmonic layering of his accordion, creating hauntingly psychedelic, elegantly arranged instrumentals. These tunes draw from famous traditional and modern Ethiopian songs, as Hailu brilliantly matches lush Amhara, Tigrinya and Oromo melodies with otherworldly flavors soaked in jazz and blues, synthesizing a futuristic landscape. He balances Ethiopian music's signature melodic shape with beautiful analog synth touches, floating upon clouds of hypnotically minimal rhythm tracks.
Nowadays he's making his living as a self-employed taxi driver at Dulles International Airport while continuing to record his music and practice as often as possible.
Hailu Mergia and Zula Band - 01 - Akal Aynish (7:46)
Hailu Mergia and Zula Band - 02 - Kotume (7:00)
Hailu Mergia and Zula Band - 03 - Ere Min Yishalegnal (6:54)
Hailu Mergia and Zula Band - 04 - Ayaskefam (7:15)
Hailu Mergia and Zula Band - 05 - Alamnim (8:39)
Hailu Mergia and Zula Band - 06 - Wusheten New (5:58)
Hailu Mergia and Zula Band - 07 - Hallo Hallo (6:33)
Hailu Mergia and Zula Band - 08 - Engidaye Nesh (7:44)
Nadav Haber started to learn the clarinet at the age of 10. In 1988-89 he lead a qaurtet in the Tel-Aviv clubs in Israel, and played in a blues duo. In the 90's nadav has switched to the tenor sax, and began to explore Ethiopian music. He played in Ethiopian dance bands all over Israel, in Ethiopian clubs and weddings. This has lead to the issue of Ethiopian Blues, and other smaller productions that were aimed at the Ethiopian Israeli market.
In recent years Nadav moved back to playing jazz, and in 2003 led a hard bop quintet in Jerusalem. He is currently working on two projects - an Ethiopian Jazz program and a “Favorite ballads” program.
01. Nadav Haber - Alchalkum (3:27) 02. Nadav Haber - In Her Youth (4:45) 03. Nadav Haber - Beautiful (5:30) 04. Nadav Haber - Love At First Sight (3:49) 05. Nadav Haber - Ethiopia (4:29) 06. Nadav Haber - My Life (4:29) 07. Nadav Haber - Japanese Woman (4:28) 08. Nadav Haber - Seven Miles From Addis (3:48) 09. Nadav Haber - When She Goes Away (3:53) 10. Nadav Haber - Long Ago (4:41) 11. Nadav Haber - Tizita (Song of Longing) (5:08)
Afro-Zen Allstars' primary inspiration is the the haunting and danceable sounds created during Ethiopia's "Golden Age" (late '60's-mid '70's). This is music that takes hold of both mind and body and never let's go, and Afro-Zen Allstars present it in updated form with compelling new arrangements and world-class soloists.
Established by guitarist/arranger George M Lowe, Afro-Zen Allstars features the formidable talents of past and present members of such luminary Richmond ensembles as Bio Ritmo, No BS Brass!, Rattlemouth, Fado Nosso, Glows In The Dark, Hotel X, Monk's Playground, The Flavor Project, Ululating Mummies, and more.
Afro-Zen Allstars - Bemin Sebeb Litlash
CJ Alicea, drums Adrien Bayo, percussion Brian Cruse, bass John Lilley, alto and tenor sax George M Lowe, founder, guitar and arrangements Chris Sclafani, baritone and alto sax Chris Vasi, guitar Toby Whitaker, trombone Afro-Zen Allstars - 01 - Yekermo Sew (6:00) Afro-Zen Allstars - 02 - Lemon (Lomiwen Teqebeletch) (4:53) Afro-Zen Allstars - 03 - Netsanet (6:27) Afro-Zen Allstars - 04 - The Pillar of Truth (Yewnet Messosso) (5:00) Afro-Zen Allstars - 05 - Muziqawi Silt (6:27) Afro-Zen Allstars - 06 - Here Is Freedom (4:57) Afro-Zen Allstars - 07 - Yekatit (4:21)
For years Sun Hop Fat has been at the forefront of introducing the unique sounds of Ethiopian Jazz to the masses. The music blends the rhythms of traditional American funk (James Brown, Parliament) and jazz (Yusef Lateef, Miles Davis) with harmonies and melodies from East Africa. The result is an up-tempo groove machine that borrows harmonies from the Middle East. The music focuses primarily on arrangements from the “golden era” of Ethiopian Jazz but includes original compositions as well. This all-star band includes standout musicians from other popular San Francisco Bay Area groups.
Sun Hop Fat has developed a solid following throughout Northern California by playing a number of clubs and festivals. The ability of the band to captivate sit down jazz crowds as well as steal the spotlight in prime festival slots, encouraging crowds to get up and dance, makes the group flexible in its appeal and garners support from diverse audiences.
Sun Hop Fat @ DNA Lounge
Sun Hop Fat - 01 - Dewel (3:20)
Sun Hop Fat - 02 - Kasaleftkut Hulu (9:08)
Sun Hop Fat - 03 - Sabye (6:09)
Anthony Ant - Trumpet
Dave Eagle - Congas
Jeremy Greene - Tenor/Alto Saxophone
Nicholas Gyorkos - Trombone
Dii Martin - Guitar
Harrison Murphy- Keyboards
Christopher Noonan - Baritone Saxophone
Daniel Silberstein - Percussion
Randy Schwartz - Drums
Jesse Sheehan - Tenor Saxophone
Jesse Toews - Bass
Sun Hop Fat just released their first album. You can find it here on bandcamp site > Sun Hop Fat debut album
Tilahun W/Georgis - 01 - Amen (5:31) Tilahun W/Georgis - 02 - Genet (5:49) Tilahun W/Georgis - 03 - Heart To Heart (5:47) Tilahun W/Georgis - 04 - What Do I Know (6:27) Tilahun W/Georgis - 05 - Walk Of Life (5:17) Tilahun W/Georgis - 06 - One For Maritu L. (7:55) Tilahun W/Georgis - 07 - My Other Half (4:54) Tilahun W/Georgis - 08 - Friend (5:15) Tilahun W/Georgis - 09 - Let It Be (5:10) Tilahun W/Georgis - 10 - I Am On The Road (4:56)
Comprised of some of Addis Ababas finest acoustic musicians, the Addis Acoustic Project brings forth Ethiopias popular tunes from the 1950s and 1960s in a new light. Directed and arranged by guitarist Girum Mezmur, the Addis Acoustic Project unfolds vintage Ethiopian music in a fresh and contemporary way. The groups musical style has influences of traditional East-African, Jazz, and Afro-Caribbean rhythms among other styles.
Addis Acoustic Project - Live at Jazzamba
August, 2012 - "Meche Dereshe"
The band, composed of veteran musicians such as Ayele Mamo (Mandolin), as well as contemporary musicians such as Girum Mezmur (Guitars, Accordion), Henock Temesgen (Double Bass), Nathaniel Tesemma (Drums, Percussions), Aklilu Wolde Yohannes (Clarinet, Flute), and Misale Legesse (Kebero, Percussions), produces unique sounds dear to most Ethiopians and that undoubtedly appeal to a greater world music audience.
Addis Acoustic Project presents its performance with an attempt to stay true and authentic to the styles as well as instrumentations of the 1950s Ethiopian popular music, yet introducing fresh and contemporary musical elements with ample room for spontaneity and improvisation.
Addis Acoustic Projects founder/ musical director, Girum Mezmur, has performed with the whos who of Ethiopian music including Aster Awoke, Ali Birra, Mahmoud Ahmed, Alemayehu Eshete, and Teddy Afro. His musical relationship with Mahmoud Ahmed has provided him the opportunity to tour several countries worldwide including Africa, Europe, and Canada, playing at major international music festivals such as the WOMAD, the Montreal Jazz Festival, Roskilde Festival, etc. Girum has also had the honor of participating in U.Ks 2007 BBC Radio World Music Award, appearing as Mahmoud Ahmeds guitarist. It was here where Mahmoud Ahmed won the nomination for Best Artist under the category Africa. Girum has also performed / recorded with other renown African artists such as Angelique Kidjo, Ray Lema, and Ali Keita. Girum Mezmur is also a co-founder of Jazzamba Music School and Jazzamba Lounge, as well as the yearly Acacia Jazz & World Music Festival in Addis Ababa.
Since its premiere at the 7th Ethiopian Music Festival (May 2008), the Addis Acoustic Project has been enjoying great success. The group currently performs on a weekly basis at one of Addis Ababas hip jazz spots..."Jazzamba Lounge".
The band has also performed internationally at renowned festivals and venues such as WOMEX09 in Copenhagen, Selam Festival in Stockholm, TFF Rudolstadt Festival in Germany, Tree House in Nairobi, Sauti za Busara Festival in Zanzibar, and MASA in Ivory Coast among others.
The band released its debut album "Tewesta"- Remembrance" on the world music label, Harmonia Mundi/World Village in August 2011.
Addis Acoustic Project - Live at Jazzamba 01 [Ethiopia](Addis Abeba) (4:57)
Addis Acoustic Project - Live at Jazzamba 02 [Ethiopia](Addis Abeba) (3:58)
Addis Acoustic Project - Live at Jazzamba 03 [Ethiopia](Addis Abeba) (0:35)
Addis Acoustic Project - Live at Jazzamba 04 [Ethiopia](Addis Abeba) (3:24)
Addis Acoustic Project - Live at Jazzamba 05 [Ethiopia](Addis Abeba) (4:54)
Addis Acoustic Project - Live at Jazzamba 06 [Ethiopia](Addis Abeba) (5:42)
Addis Acoustic Project - Live at Jazzamba 07 [Ethiopia](Addis Abeba) (4:13)
Addis Acoustic Project - Live at Jazzamba 08 [Ethiopia](Addis Abeba) (5:57)
Addis Acoustic Project - Live at Jazzamba 09 [Ethiopia](Addis Abeba) (6:31)
Addis Acoustic Project - Live at Jazzamba 10 [Ethiopia](Addis Abeba) (5:11)
Addis Acoustic Project - Live at Jazzamba 11 [Ethiopia](Addis Abeba) (9:53)
Addis Acoustic Project - Live at Jazzamba 12 [Ethiopia](Addis Abeba) (4:41)
Addis Acoustic Project - Live at Jazzamba 13 [Ethiopia](Addis Abeba) (11:29)
Addis Acoustic Project - Live at Jazzamba 14 [Ethiopia](Addis Abeba) (4:25)
Addis Acoustic Project - Live at Jazzamba 15 [Ethiopia](Addis Abeba) (9:01)
Addis Acoustic Project - Live at Jazzamba 16 [Ethiopia](Addis Abeba) (6:50)
Addis Acoustic Project - Live at Jazzamba 17 [Ethiopia](Addis Abeba) (7:57)
Addis Acoustic Project - Live at Jazzamba 18 [Ethiopia](Addis Abeba) (7:23)
TEDDY MAK has been a composer, arranger, producer, songwriter, and an accomplished performer for over twenty eight years. He is one of the pioneer, performer and major contributor to the development of Ethiopia's innovative 'new age' music.
Teddy Mak developed a passion formusic in German school Addis Abeba at an early age of eight, which was accompanied with hours of rigorous practice on the piano at home. Teddy’s youthful talent was enthusiastically supported by his father, Teddy's family provided an enabling environment that encouraged young Teddy to put in enough hours of practice on the piano which laid a firm foundation for his life’s work in Ethiopian music. Teddy Mak first studied music at the Yared Music School in Addis Ababa, which was followed by studying music, majoring in American Jazz, at the Northern Virginia Community College. He had his chance playing with great bands, which included, among others, the Shebelles, the Dahlacs and the Ethiostar band in Addis Ababa. This was the time when Teddy Mak got a chance to meet and perform with Bob Marley at the Ghion Hotel in Addis Ababa.
Throughout his career, he has compiled and created numerous melodic sounds and rhythmical beats that have made his musical compositions distinguishable. His masterful compilations have been soothing the ears of a broad range of listeners, for the past 3- decades.
Teddy Mak - Wetatuan Lidj
Teddy Mak’s musical accomplishments include over 573 arrangments and musical compositions, a cultural musical presentation, in the presence of delegates from fifty countries, at the World Economic Forum on Africa in Addis Ababa, composed sound tracks for twenty five documentary films and, wrote original soundtrack for a fifty-four segment Ethiopian movie drama series “Gemena” for Ethiopian TV.
Teddy Mak has presented a commissioned musical presentation and album on the occasion of the 50th Anniversary of the African Union.
Teddy Mak - 01 - Sam Mak CV (7:31)
Teddy Mak - 02 - Langano Endless Cruise in Minor (5:43)
Teddy Mak - 03 - Celebration Song Tribute for Au 50th Anniversarry (5:46)
Teddy Mak - 04 - Time Out (26:05)
Teddy Mak - 05 - Ethio Mak Jazz (7:33)
Teddy Mak - 06 - Tribute for Girma Beyene Set Alamnim T. Mak Style (5:47)
Ethio Cali is a Los Angeles-based Ethio-Jazz ensemble, led by trumpeter, arranger, and composer Todd Simon. The ensemble’s sublime sound is inspired by the golden age of Ethiopian music of the 1960’s and 70’s, filtered through a lens that is uniquely Los Angeles.
Acknowledging the diverse musical foundations of Ethio-Jazz, the ensemble also draws inspiration from the rhythmic and melodic textures of Sudan, Somalia, Ghana, and Colombia. Ethio Cali’s published cassette Live at The Blue Whale. [ find it : HERE ]
Todd Simon's Ethio-Cali Ensemble - Fowler Museum at UCLA 8/14/11
Ethio Cali features: Todd Simon – Trumpet, Flugelhorn, Music Director Kamasi Washington – Tenor Saxophone Randal Fisher – Tenor Saxophone Mark de Clive-Lowe – Keys Alan Lightner – Steel Pan Damon Aaron – Guitar Pat Bailey – Bass Steve Haney – Percussion Te’Amir Yohannes Sweeney – Percussion Dexter Story – Drums
Extended Family:
Kamasi Washington - Tenor Sax
Justo Almario - Tenor Sax/Clarinet
Richi Panta - Percussion
Geoff Mann - Percussion
Elizabeth Lea - Trombone
Mark Cross - Keys
Thomas Lea - Viola
Tylana Renga - Vioin
Peter Jacobson - Cello
Special Guests:
Dereb the Ambassador
Kelela Martin
Perna (Antibalas/Ocote Soul Sounds)
Jared Tankel (Budoes Band)
Aaron Johnson (Antibalas/FELA!)
Vardan Ovsepian
Semere-Ab Etmet
Yohannes Tutu
Sweeney Rickey
EthioCali - 01 - Azmar (11:19) EthioCali - 02 - Mulatu (13:14) EthioCali - 03 - Sabye (My Saba) - Live @ Del Monte Speakeasy March 17,12 (7:10) EthioCali - 04 - Sidama de Cali (5:11) EthioCali - 05 - Tadias - Live @ Del Monte Speakeasy March 17, 2012(7:10) EthioCali - 06 - Tiny Pyramids (8:08) EthioCali - 07 - Zafari Live at the Blue Whale (9:37) EthioCali - 08 - Zafari (8:50)
