Yemane Ghebremichael (commonly known as Yemane Barya), was a well-known Eritrean songwriter, composer and singer. Not confined to musical pursuits, Yemane was also heavily involved in Eritrean politics. He died of natural causes in 1997.
Yemane’s songwriting strove to reflect what he perceived to be Eritrean experience during the Eritrean War of Independence. His songs were dotted with stories of love, journey, hope, immigration, and liberation. In 1975 he was jailed for the perceived political interpretation of one of his songs.
A few years after the declaration of the independence of Eritrea, Yemane moved to Asmara and continued to release albums that reflected the new era of hope and national prosperity, with a mix of African and Latin melodies. He also sang about the people involved in the movement towards Eritrean independence, and the sacrifices of that movement.
Yemane was also known as the ‘Eritrean caretaker’ due to his reputation as being of a generous, down-to-earth nature, and for sharing his place with newly arrived Eritreans. He is known to having helped many Eritreans adjust to diaspora life in Sudan and move to better places in the Middle East, America, Europe, etc. He was known for his deep sense of artistry and mastery of Tigrinya, the most widely used Eritrean language.
Originally the lead singer of Wallias Band, of great fame in the hotels and clubs of Addis Ababa (one of the main venues, instead of concert halls), Netsanet Mellesse is one of the younger generation of Ethiopian singers who infuse music with influences from the West, India, and from other parts of Africa. She has been recorded on Shanachie, notably with a song on Holding up Half the Sky.
Dawit "Messay" Mellesse is an exceptional young singer who creates exciting, energy-filled music in his native tongue. He has traveled extensively, performing for diverse audiences throughout the world, and he entertains in numerous nightclubs in the Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa.
Dawit was discovered by Ethiopia's legendary Roha Band, and he has performed with the Ethio-Stars, Sevan, Abyssinian, Wallias, Hager Fikir and Express Band. But it was Dawit's debut album, "Alchalkum", in 1991 which made him a favorite with Ethiopia's youth.
Since then, he has recorded three albums, including 1995's Lottery (AIT Records) with the Admas Band. His current release earns Dawit a place among Ethiopia's greatest performers."Anchin New" - You are the One- is a collaborative effort of Dawit and Ethiopia's renowned Admas Band and Express Band. AIT Records is pleased to bring you this high energy album.
Ali Birra (born September 29, 1950) is a famous Oromo singer, composer, poet and nationalist. He was born in Lagaharre village in the city of Dire Dawa, Ethiopia.
His parents were separated when he was three years old, after which he was brought up by his father. He attended Arabic school as a child where he learnt Arabic language. He then enrolled in local academic school and pursued his education till the sixth grade.
In his early years, Ali used to do small on-sreet business so as to support himself as a means of livelihood. When he was 13, he joined Afran Qallo cultural group which was then oprerating unofficially to promote the Oromo music and culture. The first song that he sang on stage was called "Birra dha Bari'e" so that the people nicknamed him "Ali Birra," meaning "Ali the Spring". The Haile Selasie regime banned the group in 1965 and arrested some of its members. Ali escaped arrest and moved to Addis Ababa.
After he settled in Addis Ababa, he was engaged in different activities along with singing. On this occasion, Ali came to know the nationalist Ahmad Taqi, and the latter bought him a guitar so that Ali could sing more widely. His fame increased dramatically throughout the city. He had ability to sing in Amharic, Arabic, Harari, and Somali languages, in addition to Oromo, his mother tongue. This had gained him appreciation from different personalities including Eyoel Yohannes, at the time the head of Kibur Zebegna, so that Eyoel recruited him as a solo singer in Oromo. He joined other famous singers such as Mahmoud Ahmed, Tilahun Gessesse and Bizunesh Bekele.
While he was within the group, he could travel to all regions of the country and show his talent to his admirers. He also traveled to the Sudan repeatedly and sang with well known celebrities like Mohammed Wardi. When he was in Addis Ababa, he would perform in large venues such as Hager Fiker and Ras Teyater, but following a discussion with his father, he left Addis Ababa. In the early 1970s, at the breakout of the Ethiopian revolution, Ahmad Taqi was killed in eastern Ethiopia while fighting the government army. Ali Birra mourned deeply and sang metaphorically,
Yaa Hundee Bareeda
Yaa Finxee Midhaga
(Hundee was another name for Ahmad Taqi.)
Ali Birra continued his career both as a musician and a composer. He produced his first album in 1971, the first in the history of Oromo music. He then recorded successful hits such as "Hin Yaadin", "Asabalee", "Ammalelee", and "Gamachu". His albums included Sudanese songs such as "Al-Habib Ween" and Harari songs such as "Yidenqal".
A Swedish admirer of Ali Birra, who had been a vice-secretary at the Swedish Embassy in Addis Ababa, asked him for marriage. Ali agreed and married her in 1985, her name was Birgitta Åström born in Stockholm, Sweden (21 July 1942 – 13 September 2009).[citation needed] In 1986, Ali's wife was transferred to Saudi Arabia, and Ali accompanied her to the country. But Ali faced difficulties in Saudi Arabia, and proceeded to Sweden, where he lived for two years. In 1988, he went to the United States to attend the Los Angeles Arts Academy. He graduated in 1990, and by 1992, he had released his first two albums outside of Ethiopia amid increasing international fame. He also conducted many concerts and festivals in many countries, including the 2005 Enkutatash (Ethiopian New Year) celebration at the Addis Sheraton.
As of August 2009, Ali Birra reported that he had recently been treated for colon cancer, but planned to continue performing music, in spite of reports that his most recent album would be his last.
The masinko is a violin-like instrument widely used in Ethiopia where it is played by secular poet-musicians rather like the troubadours of medieval Europe. These professional musicians play at festivals, family celebrations such as weddings, and in bars. Some are beggars who play in the street for alms.
The masinko is made out of wood with a sound box covered by an animal skin. The single string is made out of braided horse hair. Some ethnomusicologists think the masinko is related to a similar Muslim instrument called the rebabah. Both instruments are stringed and are played with a bow
Over the years, Setegn Atanaw has become known as one of the best Masinko players in Ethiopia.
Although Gonder is Setegn's first solo album, he has performed on many other artists' recordings while in Ethiopia, most notably the renowned Ethiopian arranger Mulatu Astatke. Setegn has also written compositions for many Ethiopian artists. While in Ethiopia, Setegn was selected to represent Ethiopia in an international cultural concert tour, bringing the music of his homeland to such countries as Korea, Japan, Italy, Russia, Canada and the United States.
Setegn Atanaw started his professional career in 1995 with the Gish Abaye musical group in Bahir Dar, Gojam (a northern Ethiopian province). In 1990, he moved to Addis Ababa, the capital city of Ethiopia, and joined the National Theater Cultural Center.Over the years Setegn has become known as one of the best Masinko players in Ethiopia.
In 1993, Setegn Atanaw emigrated to the United States and joined the well-known traditional group the Nile Ethiopian Ensemble in Washington, D.C. With this exciting musical group, he has performed in places like the Kennedy Center, the Smithsonian, Brooklyn Academy of Music, the Lincoln Center, Harvard University and many more!
