{"id":161992,"date":"2025-08-31T21:03:09","date_gmt":"2025-08-31T18:03:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ngradio.gr\/?p=161992"},"modified":"2025-09-01T00:59:19","modified_gmt":"2025-08-31T21:59:19","slug":"mulatu-astatke-live-in-athens","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ngradio.gr\/en\/news-el\/music-en\/mulatu-astatke-live-in-athens\/","title":{"rendered":"Mulatu Astatke \u2013 Live in Athens"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Don\u2019t miss the final chance to experience a true legend on stage!<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Mulatu Astatke, the pioneering father of Ethio Jazz, is coming to Athens on 25 September 2025 at the Vrahon Theatre.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Get ready for a unique musical journey that bridges Africa and Jazz!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

During the \u201cSwinging Addis\u201d era of the late 1960s and 1970s. He is the legendary creator of the genre now known as Ethio Jazz<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beyond leading his own ensembles, Astatke arranged music for many of Ethiopia\u2019s top artists of the time, including Mahmoud Ahmed, Getatchew Mekurya, and Tilahun Gessesse. His innovations, however, often met resistance from traditionalists. He introduced instruments like the vibraphone, electric keyboards, congas, and bongos to create Latin-inspired rhythms. Perhaps most controversially, he adapted traditional Ethiopian instruments\u2014krar<\/strong> (lyre), masenqo<\/strong> (single-string fiddle), and washint<\/strong> (flute)\u2014to play his new jazz fusion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By the mid-2010s, Mulatu had brought Ethio Jazz to audiences on every continent through his tours, gaining new fans of all ages. During this period, he frequently collaborated with the Australian band Black Jesus Experience<\/strong> on the album Cradle Of Humanity<\/em>, appeared on the soul\/jazz collective Nubiyan Twist<\/strong>\u2019s Freedom Fables<\/em>, and recorded with the Hoodna Orchestra<\/strong> in 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The year 2024 marked another high point in Mulatu\u2019s career, with a summer U.S. tour that included a performance at the Hollywood Bowl Jazz Festival<\/strong>, curated by Kamasi Washington, as well as major shows in San Francisco, New York, and Washington, D.C.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2025, the father of Ethio Jazz embarks on a major international farewell tour<\/strong> and will release a new studio album titled Mulatu Plays Mulatu<\/em> on the Strut label<\/strong>. Recorded at London\u2019s RAK Studios<\/strong> and at the Jazz Village club<\/strong> in Addis Ababa, the album features Mulatu\u2019s full big band alongside traditional Ethiopian musicians\u2014a fitting finale to an extraordinary career.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Throughout my life, I wanted to bring Ethio Jazz to every corner of the world for people to enjoy it, and I feel I\u2019ve done that,”<\/em> says Mulatu. Music lovers around the globe certainly share that sentiment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Links & Streaming<\/h3>\n\n\n\n