Mahmoud Ahmed is one of the biggest singers in Ethiopia, known all over the world. One of his greatest gifts as a live performer include his ability to get the shoulder-shaking Eskista dance spread like wildfire! With him on stage, he is one of Ethiopia’s most legendary live bands - Roha Band!
Mahmoud Ahmed - Selam
Mahmoud Ahmed was born in Addis Ababa’s Mercato district and began his career as shoe shine boy before he became one of his country’s top stars. Already at an early age he was fascinated by the music that was played at home on Ethiopian radio. During the 60s, he got a job at the club, Arizona, the club where Haile Selassie’s legendary Imperial Bodyguard Band played. He soon became part of the band’s regular set, where he stayed until 1974.
During the 70th, Mahmoud recorded a series of songs with the record companies Amha and Kaifa and quickly became a big name within Ethiopian music. In the 1980s he ran his own music store in Addis Ababa while he continued his singing career. 1986 he gained a larger Western audience when the Belgian label Crammed Discs released the collection Ere Mela Mela, and even greater international attention in the late 1990s after Buda Musique launched the Éthiopiques series. This led to new recordings and tours in Europe and the USA with Boston’s Either / Orchestra, and French Badume Band. His undulating, slightly veiled voice, which seems to be able to express every nuance, has retained the charm and properties that are characteristic of Azmaris, traditional bards performing in local pubs in Ethiopia.
Mahmoud Ahmed is still one of the most well known and beloved Ethiopian artists in the world.
Mahmoud Ahmed - 01 - Tetesh (5:36) Mahmoud Ahmed - 02 - Abaye mado (5:20) Mahmoud Ahmed - 03 - Kelenesh (Gurage) (5:14) Mahmoud Ahmed - 04 - Erey endale lebay (7:34) Mahmoud Ahmed - 05 - Selam (4:59) Mahmoud Ahmed - 06 - Awy legeto (7:07) Mahmoud Ahmed - 07 - Enbayen lemetereg (5:48) Mahmoud Ahmed - 08 - Tey neylegn menew (5:20) Mahmoud Ahmed - 09 - Tizita yakatelew (6:31) Mahmoud Ahmed - 10 - Dekamenesh temate (5:37)
Born in Shashemene but originating from Bahir Dar, Eritbu (Solomon) Agegnehu’s heritage is of the rich tradition of Azmari. He began singing and playing masinqo under the tutorage of his father Agegnehu Askenaw, a well-known and accomplished Azmari. Eritbu moved to Addis Ababa at the age of 19 in pursuit of his musical dreams, creating a name for himself as an Azmari, performer and artist.
Eritbu "Solomon" Agegnehu - Wayne Wayne
His first album release was 2011’s "Zagol", which included the singles "Borena" and "Yeawi Lig". This was followed soon afterward by “Woyne Woyne”, which was and still is a big hit throughout Ethiopia. The following year he released the fusion single and accompanying video clip “Seyba Seyba” with bassist and producer Cassawarrior and later released “Wondome Hoy”, in which he sings of the respect deserved to women.
One of Eritbu’s driving ambitions is to return live instrumentation to the ears of the Ethiopian people, as well as to engage in fresh collaborations with international artists.
His performance history includes shows at Selam Festival, tours with Black Jesus Experience, a support show with Gigi, as well as collaborations with Badume Band, Magabo and Meklit Handro.
His latest album release “Besentu?” is further evidence of Eritbu’s development in character, technique and sound.
Kiros Alemayehu (Ge'ez: ኪሮስ ዓለማየሁ)(1948–1994) was an Ethiopian Tigrigna singer. He was born in Tigray region, Saesi Tsaedaemba and was the only child to his parents.
Kiros was born to his father Girazmach Alemayehu Meles and Mrs. Qeleb Gebremeskel in the eastern part of Tigray region, in a village known as Saesi Tsaedaemba in 1948 (1940 EC). He went to school in the nearby city of Wukro and then joined Atse Yohannes High School in Mekelle.
Kiros Alemayehu - Aymenekuwan
Kiros was a prolific song writer and singer. He popularized Tigrigna songs through his albums to the non-Tigrinya speaking Ethiopians. Before joining Ras Theatre in 1975E.C (circa 1982-1983) where he published his first Album, Kiros had worked as assistant trainer of Tigray Musical Troupe (ትግራይ ኪነት). Some of his songs include "Anguay fisis", "Fililiy","Selam Hawa", "Suwur Fikri" "Adey Mekele". Kiros along with other musicians had played in Libya and other middle eastern countries. A memorial library is under construction in Wukro near his birthplace.
Poor rip of 7 folders containing some of the famous Oromo guitar players and singers, such as Abitew Kebede, Adem Harun,Kedir Said,Abdullahi Jirma, Abdi Qophee and many other.
Mesele Asmamaw is one of the best ethiopian krar players. He has been playing in the Mohammed Jimmy Mohammed Trio touring Europe since 2004. He is also member of Qwanqwa band.
Temesgen was born and raised in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. He has studied with Alemayehu Fanta and Teshome Shenkute at the Yared School of Music in Addis Ababa. It is Temesgen's dream to keep alive the ancient musical traditions of Ethiopia. He is in the process of setting up a school to teach the Begena and the Krar.
"Listen to the stark, haunting sounds of traditional Ethiopian music and you will be elevated to a place free from worries and strife. The wisdom and knowledge of centuries of culture are communicated by the nimble fingers and resonant voice of Temesgen. Temesgen sings songs of life, of love and of devotion. Deeply spiritual, with the simple truth of folk music, sanded and distilled by generations of musicians, these songs have evolved over the ages to shine with the pristine beauty of the very roots "
- liner notes from Begena Bedtimes (2006).
A versatile singer-songwriter, Temesgen has begun to explore the frontiers of ethio-fusion. His non-traditional work is a soulful stew of reggae, ethiopian, and jazz. He is currently working on Begena Fusion, an album that features the begena in a modern milieu. And, Krarization a collection of popular contemporary songs re-interpreted with the help of the krar. Temesgen has also created instructional DVDs on how to play the krar and the begena.
Yeshi Demelash has been called “arguably the most talented contemporary female Ethiopian jazz singer.”
Musicians like Theodros Tadesse, Aster Aweke, and Gigi inspired Yeshi in her teens which later led her join Yared, Addis Ababa University school of music in 2004, where she majored in flute and minored in piano.
Apart from her music work Yeshi has also worked on a movie, worked as a radio host and as a music teacher. But she is highly known for her strong and constructive criticisims have let her establish a reputation in the field.
In 2012 Yeshi has released album titled "Qene" an ode to Ethiopia’s ancient literary and oral traditions, which has taken more than a year to prepare. Her new album has taken the Ethiopian music industry by storm with her pop and jazz amharic fusion styled musics.
Now Yeshi’s voice has captured the attention of New York-based producer Bill Laswell — the person behind the records of Jano and Gigi — and he is currently remixing one of her songs entitled Fano.
Yeshi plans to work on a new album with Laswell when she begin her first American tour.
Temesgen was born and raised in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. He has studied with Alemayehu Fanta and Teshome Shenkute at the Yared School of Music in Addis Ababa. It is Temesgen's dream to keep alive the ancient musical traditions of Ethiopia. He is in the process of setting up a school to teach the Begena and the Krar.
Temesgen - Yibellahalla [Begena Fusion]
A versatile singer-songwriter, Temesgen has begun to explore the frontiers of ethio-fusion. His non-traditional work is a soulful stew of reggae, ethiopian, and jazz. He is currently working on Begena Fusion, an album that features the begena in a modern milieu. And, Krarization a collection of popular contemporary songs re-interpreted with the help of the krar. Temesgen has also created instructional DVDs on how to play the krar and the begena.
