Posts Tagged by Ethiopian Music Festival

A mirage of smooth sounds – Acacia Jazz Festival

By Henry Guyer In the bright and arduous afternoon sun, the crowd was happy to sit on the lush grass space facing the stage. As the night began to obscure the light and the temperature dropped, the energy level quickly rose and dancing and jubilation extended into the rest of the night. The unyielding heat,… Read more

Ethiopian Jazz: Thrilling Music That You Should Hear

Contemporary Ethiopian musicians reinvigorate traditional jazz stylings for new audiences in America and Addis Ababa. By: Salamishah Tillet During the second half of the 20th century, cosmopolitan Ethiopians were delighted to see jazz giant Duke Ellington receive their country’s Medal of Honor from Emperor Haile Selassie. At the same time, by contrast, a Berklee College… Read more

Ethiopian Music Festival: from cultural conservation to international exposition

This year’s Ethiopian Music Festival was yet another rich exhibition of both local and international bands all bound together by a love for Ethiopian music. All events were open to the public free of charge, including events at the Goethe Institute, Alliance Ethio-Francaise, National Theatre, and even Club Alize. Ethiopia is known for its uniqueness… Read more

Debo Band go from the Western Front to East Africa

Last spring, Danny Mekonnen and Jonah Rapino led Boston’s fledgling Ethiopian pop group Debo Band straight to Addis Ababa. They played a local festival, made friends with nightclub owners, and found an Ethiopian Airlines deal for a free trip down the coast to Tanzania. There, they hung out with expatriated Black Panthers, took giraffe safaris,… Read more

Boston’s Debo Band Brings Ethiopian Grooves to North East Cities

Jamaica Plain, MA: Debo Band has been cultivating a small but enthusiastic following in the loft spaces, neighborhood bars, and church basements of Boston for the past three years. But very soon, they will be playing for a much larger audience. In May, Debo will travel to Ethiopia to perform at the Ethiopian Music Festival… Read more