Getatchew passed away today. At the age of 81 and after a musical career of 68 years. He was a truely unique saxophone player. Born in the countryside of Ethiopia, he heard the saxophone on the radio at the age of 13 and went to Addis Abeba straight away. He wanted to play saxophone! And soon after that he got himself into the Municipality Band. Later he played in the Haile Selassie Orchestra's, the National Theatre Orchestra and more. Since 2004 he played regularly with The Ex. It was his choice after hearing us at one of our festivals. He recognized something in our music which reminded him of the early groups he was in, like the Fetan Band (Speed Band). He loved playing with us and for us it was also an incredible experience. He was always totally himself, full-on intense and dedicated. We played more than 100 concerts and made two beautiful albums together. The last few years, his health was not very good. He couldn't really go on tour anymore. As a kind of farewell concert for his fans, we organized a big event in the National Theatre in Addis Abeba. He got lots of attention and respect that night: 1500 people in the audience, three TV stations and a legendary concert. Getatchew was playing while sitting on a chair, but his playing was stronger than ever. His whole life was music. With his unique sound and approach he leaves behind an eternal inspiration! We will miss him. The Ex & Friends
Getatchew Mekuria & The Ex
Getatchew Mekuria is the most revered veteran of the Ethiopian saxophone - a physical and musical giant whose “Negus of Ethiopian Sax” album featured in the acclaimed “Ethiopiques” reissue series. Now 76 years old, he has collaborated with all the great Ethiopian singers over the years and is still in full voice with his own, powerfully distinctive style of playing. His huge vibrato, both forceful and fragile, plays around the vocal lines, using typical Ethiopian embellishments. He dons a lion’s mane when he plays and cuts loose with furious solos that come over like a kind of free jazz from before free jazz existed.
Since 1979, Amsterdam’s The Ex have consistently pushed the envelope, plotting a restless course from their anarchist punk origins to embrace everything sound could throw at them. Their thrillingly raw and rhythmic rock sound is born from their ideals, musical friendships/networks and work ethic. They are one of the most visceral rock units in action today.
Ever hungry to place themselves in unfamiliar contexts, The Ex toured Ethiopia twice and fell in love with its music, which led to them inviting Getatchew to perform at their 25th anniversary party in Holland. His contribution to proceedings blasted everyone off stage, and, suitably inspired, The Ex invited him on tour with them, their incendiary live collaboration bearing fruits in a blistering album released on the band’s Terp Records imprint in 2006.
R E U P L O A D Mulatu Astatke & The Heliocentrics- Live @ Jazz à La Villette 01/09/2011 VIDEO
In 2005, thanks to Jim Jarmusch film Broken Flowers, the name of Mulatu Astatke finally came out of the small circle of aficionados of Ethiopian music. A 65 years ago, the father of Ethio-jazz then found a new audience ready to taste the unique rhythm of his music. Behind his vibraphone and percussion, Astatke signs unconventional jazz, steeped in Latino sounds, instrumental soul, Ethiopian folk music, where brass and percussion converse in a new way. At home, the samba is shifted, jazz borrows often tortuous spicy funky.
Beside him on stage, we note the presence of Heliocentrics saxophonist James Arben, Danny Keane on cello, also part of the project with the Heliocentrics Mulatu and heard alongside Gorillaz, and that of Alexander Hawkins, young British pianist already spotted by the BBC.
1. Getatchew Mekuria - intro the convoy tour dvd (4:13) 2. Getatchew Mekuria - the ex & getatchew mekuria (7:06) 3. Getatchew Mekuria - the ex & han bennink in ziway, ethiopia (5:47) 4. Getatchew Mekuria - the ex at lincoln center, part 1 (3:55)
